<PAGE> 1
                                LOAN AGREEMENT


    THIS LOAN AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of November 12, 1998, is
entered into between ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC., a Missouri corporation (the
"Borrower"), and LASALLE NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association (the
"Bank").

                                    RECITALS

    A.   The Borrower desires to borrow from the Bank, and the Bank desires to
loan to the Borrower, a principal sum up to Fifteen Million Six Hundred Fifty
Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($15,650,000), all in accordance with the terms,
subject to the conditions and in reliance on the representations, warranties
and covenants set forth herein and in the other documents and instruments
entered into or delivered in connection with or relating to the loans
contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, including this Agreement, the
"Loan Documents").

    B.   As collateral security for such extension of credit, the Borrower has
agreed to grant to the Bank a security interest in 100% of the capital stock
of Allegiant Bank, a Missouri state bank ("Allegiant Bank" or, the
"Subsidiary").

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   AGREEMENTS

                                    ARTICLE I
                                 LOANS AND NOTES

    SECTION 1.1   THE LOANS.  (a) The Bank agrees to extend a loan (the "Term
                  ---------
Loan") to the Borrower in the principal amount of Thirteen Million Six
Hundred Fifty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($13,650,000), to be evidenced by
two Term Notes (as defined below), and secured by the Pledge Agreement (as
defined below) in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, the Term Notes, the Pledge Agreement and the other
Loan Documents.

         (b)      The Bank further agrees to extend a revolving line of credit
(the "Revolving Loan" and, collectively with the Term Loan, the "Loans") to
the Borrower in the principal amount of Two Million and 00/100 Dollars
($2,000,000) to be evidenced by the Revolving Note (as defined below), and
secured by the Pledge Agreement in accordance with the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Revolving Note, the Pledge
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement and the Revolving Note, the Bank shall make disbursements
of the Revolving Loan to Borrower on a revolving basis (each such
disbursement of the proceeds of the Revolving Loan being referred to as a
"Disbursement" and all such Disbursements, including disbursements of the
Term Loan, being



<PAGE> 2

collectively referred to as the "Disbursements"), from time to time, prior to
the one year anniversary of the date of this agreement (the "Revolving Maturity
Date").  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Borrower may borrow, repay
and reborrow such sums from the Bank.  As a condition precedent to the Bank's
obligation to make any Disbursement, the Borrower must deliver to the Bank and
the Bank must receive from the Borrower a request for such Disbursement in
writing on or before noon on the business day prior to the business day on
which the Borrower desires to receive such Disbursement.  Such written request
for a Disbursement must include whether the Borrower elects to set the interest
rate for the Disbursement at the Euro-Dollar Rate (as defined below) or the
Prime Rate (as defined below) and the duration of the repayment term applicable
thereto.  If the repayment term of a Disbursement is less than thirty (30)
days, the interest rate for the Disbursement shall be at the Prime Rate.  If
the repayment term of a Disbursement is greater than thirty (30) days, then the
Borrower may elect to set the interest rate at the Euro-Dollar Rate or the
Prime Rate, provided, however, that a Disbursement bearing interest at the
Euro-Dollar Rate shall have a fixed repayment term of 30, 60 or 90 days (the
"Euro-Dollar Interest Rate Period"), and provided further that any Disbursement
bearing interest at the Euro-Dollar Rate shall be at least $250,000 and in
$100,000 increments in excess of such minimum amount.  If such request is
timely received by the Bank and the other conditions precedent to the making of
a Disbursement set forth in this Agreement are satisfied, the Bank shall
release the requested funds to the Borrower or its designee on the next
business day, provided, however, that in no event shall the Bank be obligated
to release funds to the Borrower in an amount which, when added to the total
amount of the then outstanding principal balance under the Revolving Note,
would cause the total outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loan to
exceed $2,000,000 (the "Maximum Availability").  In the event that a
Disbursement request is received by the Bank after noon on any business day, it
shall be deemed to have been received on the next business day.  Each request
for a Disbursement shall be accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Bank,
in its sole and absolute discretion, that such request has been duly and
validly authorized, executed and delivered.  Each Disbursement shall be
evidenced by the Revolving Note.  If, at any time, the outstanding principal
balance under the Revolving Note exceeds the Maximum Availability, the Borrower
will immediately pay the amount of such excess to the Bank.

    SECTION 1.2   NOTES EVIDENCING BORROWING.  The Term Loan shall be
                  --------------------------
evidenced by two promissory notes in the forms attached as Exhibit A and
Exhibit B (individually, a "Term Note" and collectively, the "Term Notes")
executed by the Borrower.  One Term Note shall be in the principal amount of
Ten Million Four Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($10,400,000), and the
second Term Note shall be in the principal amount of Three Million Two
Hundred Fifty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($3,250,000).  As a condition
precedent to make a disbursement under the respective Term Note, the Bank
must receive a written request for the disbursement on or before noon on the
business day prior to the business day on which the Borrower desires to
receive the principal under the respective Term Note, provided however, that
the Bank shall have no obligation to make any disbursement under the first
Term Note at any time after November 30, 1998 or under the second Term Note
at any time after December 31, 1998.  Disbursements under the Revolving Loan
shall be evidenced by a promissory note in the form attached as Exhibit C
(the "Revolving Note") executed by the Borrower in the principal amount of
Two Million and 00/100 Dollars ($2,000,000).  The term "Notes" as used in
this Agreement shall include the two


                                    2
<PAGE> 3

Term Note and the Revolving Note and each promissory note delivered in
substitution or exchange therefor.

    SECTION 1.3   INTEREST RATE AND PAYMENTS.  (a) The Borrower shall pay
                  --------------------------
interest on amounts outstanding under the Notes as described herein and as
provided in the form of the Term Notes attached as Exhibit A and Exhibit B
and the Revolving Note attached as Exhibit C.

         (b)      The amounts outstanding from time to time under the Term
Notes shall bear interest calculated on the actual number of days elapsed on
the basis of a 360 day year, at a rate equal to 175 basis points in excess of
the "Cost of Funds" (the "Term Loan Interest Rate") on the respective date that
funds are disbursed to the Borrower under the two Term Notes (with respect to
each of the two Term Notes, the respective "Term Loan Disbursement Date").
For purposes of this Agreement, the Cost of Funds shall mean the yield on
three year U.S. Treasury Notes plus the corresponding swap spread, each as
determined by Bloomberg Financial Commodities News as of the Term Loan
Disbursement Date.  Interest shall thereafter be payable quarterly,
commencing on January 1, 1999, and continuing on the first day of each
April, July, October and January thereafter, with a final payment of all
outstanding amounts due under the Term Notes, including, but not limited to
principal, interest and any other amounts owing under this Agreement, if not
sooner paid, on the third anniversary of the Closing Date.  No amount of
principal repaid under either Term Note may be borrowed again. Principal
payments shall be due and payable under the first Term Note as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  ON OR BEFORE                  AMOUNT
                  ------------                  ------
<S>                                             <C>
                  October 1, 1999               $  500,000
                  October 1, 2000               $  500,000
                  October 1, 2001               $1,000,000
                  The third anniversary         The remaining balance
                  of the Closing Date
</TABLE>

The principal under the second Term Note shall be due and payable at the
third anniversary of the Closing Date.


                                    3
<PAGE> 4

         (c)      Interest for the Revolving Note shall be computed on the
actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a 360-day year on any and all
principal amounts remaining unpaid hereunder from time to time outstanding
from the date of borrowing until payment at a rate equal to either the rate
of interest referred to by the Bank from time to time as its prime rate (the
"Prime Rate") or the rate which is 200 basis points in excess of the London
Interbank Offered Rate (the "Euro-Dollar Rate"), as selected by the Borrower
upon Disbursement.  The London Interbank Offered Rate (the "LIBOR") shall
mean the rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/8 of
1%) at which deposits in dollars are offered by the Euro-Dollar Lending
Office of the Bank to other prime banks in the London interbank market at
approximately 11:00 a.m. London Time, on the first day of such Euro-Dollar
Interest Rate Period in an amount approximately equal to the aggregate
principal amount of the Disbursement to which such Euro-Dollar Interest Rate
Period is to apply and for a period of time comparable to such Euro-Dollar
Interest Rate Period

                  (i)  All new Disbursements and all outstanding Revolving Loan
amounts shall be subject to the Prime Rate unless the Borrower provides
notice of its exercise of the Euro-Dollar Rate with respect to such
Disbursement.  The Bank shall not be obligated to give notice of any change
in the Prime Rate.  Interest payable on any Disbursement at the Prime Rate
shall be payable monthly, on the first day of each month, commencing on the
first day of the first month beginning after the date of this Agreement.

                  (ii)  Interest payable on any Disbursement at the Euro-Dollar
Rate for any Euro-Dollar Interest Rate Period shall be due and payable at the
end of the applicable Euro-Dollar  Interest Rate Period.  Disbursements
bearing interest at Euro-Dollar Rate may not be prepaid prior to the
expiration of the applicable Euro-Dollar Interest Rate Period,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, without the prior
written consent of the Bank.

                  (iii) The Bank's obligation to make any Disbursement at the
Euro-Dollar Rate shall be conditioned on all of the following:

                     (A) No Default shall be in existence at the time of the
Borrower's election to utilize a Euro-Dollar Rate for a Disbursement or as of
the date of such Disbursement;

                     (B) No portion of a Disbursement to which the Euro-Dollar
Rate applies is subject to an existing Euro-Dollar Interest Rate Period,
unless such election applies to the Euro-Dollar Business Day (any day on
which commercial banks are open for business in London and Chicago) following
the last day of the current Euro-Dollar Interest Rate Period or later;

                     (C) The Bank shall not have determined, which
determination shall be made in the Bank's absolute and sole discretion, that:
(a) the Bank is unable to ascertain the LIBOR rate for any reason, or (b) the
Euro-Dollar Rate will not, due to a change in any law, rule, regulation,
directive, treaty, interpretation or guideline, adequately and fairly reflect
the cost to the Bank of making available or maintaining the Euro-Dollar Rate
with respect to the principal amount of such election; and


                                    4
<PAGE> 5

                     (D) no portion of the interest to accrue during the
Euro-Dollar Interest Rate Period would, upon the advice of the Bank's legal
counsel, be deemed to exceed the maximum allowed by law.

                  (iv)  If any new or existing statute, treaty or regulation
(including any regulation promulgated by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (the "FRS") or the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency), or any interpretation thereof by any governmental authority
charged with the administration thereof, or any action by any central bank or
other fiscal authority having jurisdiction over the Bank or the Revolving
Loan (or any part thereof), impose, modify, or deem applicable any tax or any
reserve and/or special deposit requirement against any assets held by, or
deposits in or for the amount of any Disbursement by the Bank (or any branch
or affiliate of the Bank involved in transactions under or contemplated by
the Revolving Note), except for such matters which have resulted in a change
in the Euro-Dollar Rate pursuant to the definition of Euro-Dollar Rate
contained herein, or any similar measure shall result in a reduction in the
amount of principal or interest receivable by the Bank with respect to the
Revolving Loan or an increase in the cost to the Bank with respect to the
amount of principal or interest receivable by the Bank with respect to the
Disbursement or an increase in the cost to the Bank of funding the
Disbursement in the LIBOR market (whether or not such Disbursement is
actually so funded) or engaging in any other transaction material to the
maintenance of the Revolving Loan with interest thereon based on the
Euro-Dollar Rate (such reduction in amounts receivable or increases in costs
being hereinafter referred to as "Costs"), the Borrower shall fully indemnify
the Bank for all such Costs and shall compensate the Bank as of the end of each
period for which the Euro-Dollar Rate has been determined during which such
measures were in effect for the Costs incurred during such period.  All such
Costs shall be determined by the Bank and a statement thereof showing how the
Costs were calculated shall be sent by the Bank to the Borrower when such
Costs have been determined, and such determinations shall be conclusive and
binding on the Borrower in the absence of manifest error, but the Bank shall,
as promptly as practicable, notify the Borrower of the existence of any event
which would (if interest were to be accrued based on the Euro-Dollar Rate)
require reimbursement by the Borrower of Costs incurred by the Bank.  The
Borrower shall have the right to audit the Bank's calculation of costs.  The
obligations set forth in this provision shall survive repayment of the
amounts due under this Agreement and the Notes.  If the Bank demands
compensation under this Section, the Borrower may repay in full its
then-outstanding Revolving Loans borrowed at the Euro-Dollar Rate, together
with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of repayment, without
penalty therefor.  Concurrently with repaying such Revolving Loans pursuant
to this Section, the Borrower may receive from the Bank a Disbursement at the
Prime Rate in an equal principal amount and, if the Borrower so elects, the
Bank shall make such a Disbursement at the Prime Rate to the Borrower.

                  (v)  In the event the Borrower has not properly elected a new
Euro-Dollar Interest Period for any Disbursement prior to the expiration of
the Euro-Dollar Interest Rate Period then in effect for such Disbursement,
then, upon expiration of the Euro-Dollar Interest Rate Period then in effect,
the interest rate for such Disbursement shall revert to the Prime Rate until
such time as the Borrower provides notice to the Bank of the election of a
new Euro-Dollar Interest Rate Period in the manner, and subject to the
limitations, set forth in this Section.  The Bank shall have no


                                    5
<PAGE> 6

obligation to inform the Borrower of the potential for reversion to the Prime
Rate.

                  (vi) The outstanding principal, interest, and any other
amounts owing under the Revolving Note must be paid in full on the Revolving
Maturity Date.

         (d) If any payment to be made by the Borrower hereunder shall become
due on a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday under the laws of the State of
Illinois, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding business day and
such extension of time shall be included in computing any interest in respect
of such payment.

         (e) Any amount of principal, interest, prepayment penalties
(pursuant to Section 1.3(g)), expenses (pursuant to Section 1.5) or any
commitment fee (pursuant to Section 1.7) payable hereunder which is not paid
when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise shall bear
interest payable on demand at an interest rate equal at all times to two
percent (2%) above the interest rate otherwise applicable to outstanding
principal amounts under the corresponding Note.

         (f) All payments received by the Bank from or on behalf of the
Borrower shall first be applied to amounts due under Section 1.5, second to
accrued interest under the Notes, and then to principal amounts outstanding
under the Notes; provided, however, that after the date on which the final
payment of principal with respect to the either of the Loans is due, or
following and during any Default (as defined below), all payments received on
account of the Borrower's Liabilities (as defined below) shall be applied in
whatever order, combination and amounts as the Bank, in its sole and absolute
discretion, decides, to all costs, expenses and other indebtedness owing from
the Borrower to the Bank.

         (g) Prepayments of principal amounts of the Term Loan are subject to
the following conditions:

                  (i)  Not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date upon
which the Borrower desires to make such prepayment, Borrower shall deliver to
the Bank written notice of its intention to prepay, which notice shall be
irrevocable and state the prepayment amount and the prepayment date (the
"Prepayment Date").

                  (ii) The Borrower shall pay to the Bank, concurrently with
such prepayment all accrued and unpaid interest on such amount plus a
prepayment premium (the "Prepayment Premium") equal to the Yield Amount.  The
"Yield Amount" shall be the amount calculated as follows:

                       (A) There shall first be determined, as of the Prepayment
Date, the amount, if any, by which the applicable interest rate on the amount
being prepaid exceeds the yield to maturity percentage (the "Current Yield")
for the United States Treasury Note closest in maturity to the maturity of
the Term Loan (the "Treasury Note") as published in The Wall Street Journal
on the fifth business day preceding the Prepayment Date.  If publication of
(1) The Wall


                                    6
<PAGE> 7

Street Journal or (2) publication of the Current Yield of the Treasury Note in
The Wall Street Journal is discontinued, the Bank, in its sole discretion,
shall designate another daily financial or governmental publication of national
circulation to be used to determine the Current Yield;

                       (B) The difference calculated pursuant to clause (A)
above shall be multiplied by the outstanding principal amount being prepaid;

                       (C) The product calculated pursuant to clause (B) above
shall be multiplied by the quotient, rounded to the nearest one-hundredth of
one percent, obtained by dividing (1) the number of days from and including
the Prepayment Date to and including the maturity of the Term Loan, by (2)
365; and

                       (D) The sum calculated pursuant to clause (C) above shall
be discounted at the annual rate of the Current Yield to the present value
thereof as of the Prepayment Date, on the assumption that said sum would be
received in equal monthly installments on each monthly anniversary of the
Prepayment Date prior to the maturity date of the Term Loan, with the final
such installment to be deemed received on the maturity date of the Term Loan;
provided, however,  that the Borrower shall not be entitled in any event to a
credit against, or a reduction of, the indebtedness being prepaid if the
Current Yield exceeds the applicable interest rate or for any other reason.

         (h) The Borrower will pay to the Bank in immediately available
funds, at its office at the address specified in Section 6.3, or such other
address as the Bank shall specify in writing, all amounts payable to it under
the terms of the Notes then held by the Bank, without any presentation of
such Notes.  The Bank may, if it so determines, make notation of each payment
of principal on the Notes, and it will promptly make such notation if the
Borrower shall so request.  The Bank may also, if it so determines, make
notation on the face of the Notes or elsewhere of any modification,
amendment, alteration, guaranty or assumption of the Notes.  The aggregate
unpaid principal amount shown on the face of, or elsewhere on, the Notes
shall be rebuttable presumptive evidence of the principal amount owing and
unpaid on the Notes.  The failure to record any such amount on such schedule,
however, shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower
hereunder or under the Notes.

    SECTION 1.4   COLLATERAL.  The Borrower's obligations under this
                  ----------
Agreement, the Notes, the Pledge Agreement and any other Loan Documents
(collectively, the "Borrower's Liabilities") shall be secured by a pledge of
100% of the capital stock of Allegiant Bank pursuant to the terms of a Pledge
and Security Agreement dated as of the Closing Date between the Borrower and
the Bank (the "Pledge Agreement") in the form attached as Exhibit D.

    SECTION 1.5   EXPENSES.  Whether or not the Loans are made, the Borrower
                  --------
shall:  (a) pay all reasonable costs and expenses of the Bank incident to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to,
all costs and expenses, incurred in connection with the negotiation,
preparation and execution of this Agreement, or in connection with any
modification, amendment, alteration or enforcement of any terms of the Loan
Documents,


                                    7
<PAGE> 8

including, but not limited to, the Bank's out-of-pocket expenses and the
charges of and disbursements to counsel retained by the Bank; and (b) pay and
save the Bank and all other holders of the Notes harmless against any and all
liability with respect to amounts payable as a result of:  (i) any stamp or
other similar taxes, but excluding taxes on income earned by the Bank, which
may be determined to be payable in connection with the execution and delivery
of, or any modification, amendment or alteration of, the terms or provisions of
any of the Loan Documents; and (ii) any interest or penalties resulting from
nonpayment or delay in payment of such expenses, charges, disbursements,
liabilities or taxes.  The obligations of the Borrower under this Section 1.5
shall survive the repayment in full of the Notes.

    SECTION 1.6   THE CLOSING.  The execution of this Agreement and the
                  -----------
delivery of the required supporting documents (the "Closing") will be made at
the offices of the Bank, at the address specified in Section 6.3, on November
10, 1998 at 10:00 a.m., Chicago, Illinois, time (the "Closing Date").

    SECTION 1.7   COMMITMENT FEE. There shall be no commitment fee for the
                  --------------
Term Loan. A commitment fee shall be payable for the Revolving Loan in
quarterly installments on each of the first day of January, April, July, 1999
and on the Revolving Maturity Date, in an amount equal to one quarter (1/4) of
the product of .0025 times (a) $2,000,000 minus (b) the average outstanding
principal balance of the Revolving Loan for the 90 day period immediately
prior to each such date.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   CONDITIONS

    Notwithstanding the earlier execution of this Agreement, the Bank's
obligation to make the Loans shall be subject to the performance by the
Borrower prior to the Closing Date of all of its agreements to be performed
under this Agreement and to the satisfaction of the following further
conditions precedent:

    SECTION 2.1   DOCUMENTS.  The Bank shall have received all of the
                  ---------
following documents, each duly executed and dated the Closing Date, in form
and substance satisfactory to the Bank and its counsel:

         (a) the Notes;

         (b) copies of the Certificate of Incorporation or other applicable
charter documents of the Borrower and the Subsidiary certified in each case
not more than 15 business days prior to the Closing Date by its respective
chartering authority;

         (c) good standing certificates or their equivalent for the Borrower
and the Subsidiary issued as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of
the State of Missouri or by its respective chartering authority, if
different;


                                    8
<PAGE> 9

         (d) copies certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
the Borrower of the bylaws of the Borrower;

         (e) copies certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
the Borrower of resolutions of the board of directors of the Borrower
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance, respectively, of this
Agreement, the Notes, the Pledge Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

         (f) copies certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
the Borrower of all documents evidencing any necessary corporate action,
consents and approvals of any federal or state governmental department,
commission, board, regulatory authority or agency including, but not limited
to, the FRS (and collectively with the foregoing, the "Governmental Agencies"
or individually, a "Governmental Agency") with respect to this Agreement, the
Notes, the Pledge Agreement or any other Loan Documents;

         (g) an incumbency certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Borrower certifying the names of the officer or officers of
the Borrower authorized to sign this Agreement, the Notes, the Pledge
Agreement, any Disbursement request and the other Loan Documents (and the
Bank may conclusively rely on such certificate until formally advised by a
like certificate of any changes therein);

         (h) the opinion of counsel for the Borrower, substantially in the
form of Exhibit E;

         (i) the Pledge Agreement; and

         (j) a certificate signed by the President or a Vice President of the
Borrower certifying that the conditions specified in Article II have been
satisfied.

    SECTION 2.2   OTHER CONDITIONS OF BORROWING.  Notwithstanding any other
                  -----------------------------
provision of this Agreement, the Bank shall not be required to make the Loans
or any Disbursement:

         (a) if the Bank has not received either the original certificate(s)
representing all of the securities constituting the Pledged Securities (as
defined in the Pledge Agreement) accompanied by corresponding irrevocable
stock power(s) executed in blank or a letter of direction acknowledged by
Mercantile (hereinafter defined), ordering Mercantile to release such
certificates to the Bank;

         (b) if, between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date or
the date of any Disbursement, there has occurred, in the Bank's reasonable
discretion, a material adverse change in the financial condition or affairs
of the Borrower or the Subsidiary;

         (c) if any Default has occurred or any event that, with the giving
of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a Default;


                                    9
<PAGE> 10

         (d) if any litigation or governmental proceeding has been instituted
or threatened against the Borrower or Allegiant Bank or any of its respective
directors, officers or shareholders which, in the Bank's reasonable
discretion, will materially and adversely affect the financial condition or
operations of the Borrower or the Subsidiary;

         (e) if all necessary or appropriate actions and proceedings shall
not have been taken in connection with, or relating to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and all of the Loan Documents shall not have
been completed and tendered for delivery, in substance and form satisfactory
to the Bank; or

         (f) if the Bank shall not have received in substance and form
reasonably satisfactory to the Bank, all certificates, affidavits, schedules,
resolutions, opinions, notes, and/or other documents which are required by
this Agreement, or which it may reasonably request.

                                   ARTICLE III
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

    To induce the Bank to make the Loans provided for herein, the Borrower
represents and warrants as of the date of this Agreement, the Closing Date
and on the date of any Disbursement as set forth below:

    SECTION 3.1   CORPORATE ORGANIZATION.  (a) The Borrower: (i) is a bank
                  ----------------------
holding company duly organized and validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Missouri; (ii) is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation and in good standing in all states in which it is doing business,
except where it is not required to qualify or where the failure to so qualify
would not have a material adverse effect on it or its respective business;
and (iii) has all requisite power and authority, corporate or otherwise, to
own, operate and lease its properties and to carry on its business as now
being conducted. The Borrower has made payment of all franchise and similar
taxes in the State of Missouri, and in all of the jurisdictions in which it
is incorporated or qualified, so far as such taxes are due and payable at the
date of this Agreement;

         (b)  Allegiant Bank: (i) is a state-chartered commercial bank
duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of Missouri; (ii) is duly qualified and in good standing in all
states in which it is doing business, except where it is not required to
qualify or where the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse
effect on it or its respective business; (iii) has all requisite power and
authority, corporate or otherwise, to own, operate and lease its properties
and to carry on its business as now being conducted; (iv) has its deposit
accounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC");

    SECTION 3.2   CAPITALIZATION OF THE BORROWER AND SUBSIDIARY.  All of the
                  ---------------------------------------------
capital stock of the Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued,
and is fully paid and nonassessable, and constitutes 100% of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Subsidiary.  None of such capital stock has
been issued in violation of any shareholder's


                                    10
<PAGE> 11

preemptive rights. Borrower owns all of the issued and outstanding capital
stock of the Subsidiary subject only to the security interest granted by the
Borrower to Mercantile Bank National Association ("Mercantile") pursuant to
that certain Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated May 31, 1995, and
as amended by that certain Modification and Extension Agreement dated November
26, 1996.  There are no outstanding options, rights or warrants obligating the
Borrower to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold,
additional shares of the capital stock of the Subsidiary or obligating the
Borrower or the Subsidiary to grant, extend or enter into any such agreement or
commitment.

    SECTION 3.3   USE OF PROCEEDS.
                  ---------------

         (a) The proceeds of the Term Loan shall be used to repay a $10.4
million debt currently outstanding at Mercantile Bank, St. Louis, Missouri,
and to redeem $3.25 million in outstanding subordinated debentures.  The
proceeds of the Revolving Loan shall be used for working capital.

         (b) The Borrower does not own any "margin security" as such term is
defined in Regulation G of the FRB.  The Borrower will not use any part of
the proceeds of the Loans:  (i) directly or indirectly to purchase or carry
any security or reduce or retire any indebtedness originally incurred to
purchase any such security within the meaning of Regulation G of the Board;
or (ii) so as to involve the Borrower in a violation of Regulation T, U or X
of the FRB.

         (c) The Borrower shall not use any proceeds from the Revolving Loan
to pay any interest or principal due to the Bank under the Loans.

    SECTION 3.4   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The Borrower has delivered to the
                  --------------------
Bank copies of financial statements of the Borrower and Allegiant Bank as of
and for the year ending December 31, 1997, and as of and for the nine months
ending September 30, 1998, audited in the case of the Borrower's year end
financial statements by the Borrower's certified public accountants (the
"Financial Statements"). The Financial Statements are true and correct, are
in accordance with the respective books of account and records of the
Borrower and Allegiant Bank, as the case may be, and have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), or
applicable banking rules and regulations, as the case may be, applied on a
basis consistent with prior periods, and fairly and accurately present the
financial condition of the Borrower and Allegiant Bank, respectively, and the
respective assets and liabilities and results of operations of each as of
such date.  Since December 31, 1997, there has been no material adverse
change in the financial condition, business, properties or operations of the
Borrower or Allegiant Bank.  The Financial Statements contain and reflect
provisions for taxes, reserves and other liabilities of the Borrower and
Allegiant Bank in accordance with GAAP or applicable banking rules and
regulations, as the case may be.  Neither the Borrower nor Allegiant Bank has
any material debt, liability or obligation of any nature (whether accrued,
contingent, absolute or otherwise) which is not provided for or disclosed in
the Financial Statements.

    SECTION 3.5   TITLE TO PROPERTIES.
                  -------------------


                                    11
<PAGE> 12

         (a) The Borrower and the Subsidiary have good and marketable fee
title to all real property, and good and marketable title to all other
property and assets reflected in the latest balance sheet referred to in
Section 3.4 or purported to have been acquired by the Borrower or the
Subsidiary subsequent to such date, except property and assets sold or
otherwise disposed of subsequent to the date of such balance sheet in the
ordinary course of business.  All property and assets of any kind (real or
personal, tangible or intangible) of the Borrower and the Subsidiary are free
from any material liens, encumbrances or defects in title.

         (b) None of the assets or property the value of which is reflected
in the latest balance sheet referred to in Section 3.4 is held by the
Borrower or the Subsidiary as lessee under any lease, or as conditional
vendee under any conditional sales contract or other title retention
agreement.  The Borrower and the Subsidiary enjoy peaceful and undisturbed
possession under all of the leases under which they are operating, all of
which permit the customary operations of the Borrower and the Subsidiary.
None of such leases is in material default and no event has occurred which
with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a
material default under any such lease.

    SECTION 3.6   LEGAL AND AUTHORIZED.  The borrowing of the principal
                  --------------------
amounts of the Loans, the execution and performance of this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents and the compliance by the Borrower with all of the
provisions of this Agreement and of the other Loan Documents are within the
corporate powers of the Borrower.  Each of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents has been duly authorized, executed and delivered and is the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, and is enforceable in
accordance with its respective terms.

    SECTION 3.7   NO DEFAULTS OR RESTRICTIONS.  Neither the execution and
                  ---------------------------
delivery of any of the Loan Documents nor compliance with their terms and
conditions will conflict with or result in a material breach of, or
constitute a material default under, any of the terms, obligations,
covenants, conditions or provisions of any corporate restriction or of any
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, bank loan or credit agreement,
corporate charter, bylaw or any other agreement or instrument to which the
Borrower or the Subsidiary is now a party or by which any of them or any of
their respective properties is now bound or affected, or any judgment, order,
writ, injunction, decree or demand of any court, arbitrator, grand jury, or
Governmental Agency binding on the Borrower or the Subsidiary, or result in
the creation or imposition of any material lien, charge or encumbrance upon
any property or asset of the Borrower or the Subsidiary under the terms or
provisions of any of the foregoing.  Neither the Borrower nor the Subsidiary
is in material default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any
of the terms, obligations, covenants, conditions or provisions contained in
any indenture or other agreement creating, evidencing or securing
indebtedness of any kind or pursuant to which any such indebtedness is
issued, or other agreement or instrument to which the Borrower or the
Subsidiary is a party or by which the Borrower or the Subsidiary or their
respective properties is now bound or affected.

    SECTION 3.8   GOVERNMENTAL CONSENT.  No governmental orders, permissions,
                  --------------------
consents, approvals or authorizations are required to be obtained and no
registrations or


                                    12
<PAGE> 13

declarations are required to be filed in connection with, or contemplation of,
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents.

    SECTION 3.9   TAXES.  The Borrower and the Subsidiary have filed all
                  -----
United States income tax returns and all material state and municipal tax
returns which are required to be filed, and have paid, or made provision for
the payment of, all material taxes which have become due pursuant to any
federal, state or municipal tax returns or pursuant to any assessment
received by the Borrower or the Subsidiary, except such taxes, if any, as are
being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been
provided.  The Borrower is unaware of any audit, assessment or other proposed
action or inquiry of the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority with respect to any tax liability of the Borrower or any of the
Subsidiary.

    SECTION 3.10  COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.  The Borrower and the Subsidiary have
                  -------------------
complied with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and
restrictions of any domestic or foreign government or any instrumentality or
agency thereof, having jurisdiction over the conduct of their respective
businesses or the ownership of their respective properties, except where any
such failure would not have a material adverse effect on the Borrower or the
Subsidiary.

    SECTION 3.11  ERISA.  All employee benefit plans (as defined in Section
                  -----
3(3) of ERISA) established or maintained by the Borrower or the Subsidiary or
to which either of them contributes, are in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable requirements of ERISA, and are in compliance in
all material respects with all applicable requirements (including
qualification and non-discrimination requirements in effect as of the
Closing) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for
obtaining the tax benefits the Code thereupon permits with respect to such
employee benefit plans.  For purposes of this Section, non-compliance with
the Code and ERISA is material if such non-compliance would reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, assets
or business of the Borrower or the Subsidiary.  No such employee benefit plan
has, or as of the Closing will have unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined
in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) for which the Borrower or the Subsidiary
would be liable to any Person (as defined below) under Title IV of ERISA if
any such employee benefit plan were terminated as of the Closing, which
liabilities would be material to the Borrower or the Subsidiary.  Such
employee benefit plans are funded in accordance with Section 412 of the Code
(if applicable).  There would be no obligations which would be material to
the Borrower or the Subsidiary under Title IV of ERISA relating to any such
employee benefit plan that is a multi-employer plan if any such plan were
terminated or if the Borrower or the Subsidiary withdrew from any such plan
as of the Closing.

    SECTION 3.12  NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE.  Since December 31, 1997,
                  --------------------------
neither the business, operations, properties nor assets of the Borrower or
the Subsidiary have been materially and adversely affected in any way as the
result of any act or event, including, but not limited to, fire, explosion,
accident, act of God, strike, lockout, flood, drought, storm, earthquake,
combination of workers or other labor disturbance, riot, activity of armed
forces or of the public enemy, embargo, or nationalization, condemnation,
requisition or taking of property, or cancellation or modification of
contracts, by any domestic or foreign government or any


                                    13
<PAGE> 14

instrumentality or agency thereof.

    SECTION 3.13  RESERVE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES.  The reserve for
                  ------------------------------------------
possible loan and lease losses shown on the Consolidated Report of Income and
Condition ("Call Report") of Allegiant Bank for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998, is adequate in all respects to provide for possible or
specific losses, net of recoveries relating to loans previously charged off,
on loans outstanding, and contains an additional amount of unallocated
reserves for unanticipated future losses at a level considered adequate based
upon generally accepted safe and sound banking practices.

    SECTION 3.14  REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.  Neither the Borrower nor
                  ------------------------------
any of its subsidiaries nor any of their respective officers or directors is
now operating under any restrictions, agreements, memoranda, or commitments
(other than restrictions of general application) imposed by any Governmental
Agency, nor to Borrower's knowledge, are any such restrictions threatened or
agreements, memoranda or commitments being sought by any Governmental Agency.

    SECTION 3.15  HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.  Neither the Borrower nor any
                  -------------------
Responsible Subsidiary (as defined below) is in violation of any applicable
statute, regulation, ordinance or policy of any governmental entity relating
to the ecology, human health, safety or the environment and no Hazardous
Material (as defined below) is located on any real property owned or leased
by the Borrower or any of its Responsible Subsidiaries or has been discharged
from or to, or penetrated into, any real property (or surface or subsurface
rivers or streams crossing or adjoining any real property) owned or leased by
the Borrower or any of its Responsible Subsidiaries or the aquifer underlying
any real property owned or leased by Borrower or any of its Responsible
Subsidiaries except where any of the foregoing would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the Borrower or any of its
Responsible Subsidiaries.  "Hazardous Material" as used herein means any
asbestos, polychlorinated byphenyls and petroleum products, solid wastes,
urea formaldehyde, discharges of sewer or effluent, paint containing lead and
any other hazardous or toxic material, substance or waste which is defined,
determined or identified by those or similar terms or is regulated as such
under any statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation or by any local, state
or federal authority (whether as the result of any judicial or administrative
interpretation of any such statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation or
otherwise) including, but not limited to, any material, substance or waste
which is a hazardous substance within the meaning of 33 U.S.C. Sec.1251 et
seq., as amended, or 42 U.S.C. Sec.9601 et seq., as amended, or is a
hazardous waste within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. Sec.6901 et seq., as amended.
For purposes of this Section 3.15, "Responsible Subsidiary" shall mean, as to
any Person:  (a) any corporation more than 25% of whose stock of any class or
classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority
of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the
time stock of any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might
have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the
time owned by such Person and/or one or more Responsible Subsidiaries of such
Person; (b) any partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in
which such Person and/or one or more Responsible Subsidiaries of such Person
has more than a 25% equity interest


                                    14
<PAGE> 15

at the time; or (c) any Person which is at the time controlled, directly or
indirectly, through either (i) that Person being a borrower of the Borrower and
the Borrower as that Person's lender, actually influencing or altering such
Person's procedures, methods or actions relating to the use, handling,
generation, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of Hazardous
Materials, or (ii) common directors, officers or employees, by that Person or
one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Person" shall mean any individual,
partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, association, trust or other
enterprise or any government or political subdivision or any agency, department
or instrumentality thereof.

    SECTION 3.16  PENDING LITIGATION.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.16,
                  ------------------
there are no actions, suits, proceedings or written agreements pending, or,
to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened or proposed, against the
Borrower or the Subsidiary, at law or in equity or before or by any federal,
state, municipal, or other governmental department, commission, board, or
other administrative agency, domestic or foreign; and neither the Borrower
nor the Subsidiary is in default with respect to any order, writ, injunction,
or decree of, or any written agreement with, any court, commission, board or
agency, domestic or foreign.

    SECTION 3.17  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT.  Neither the Borrower nor the
                  ----------------------
Subsidiary is an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an
"investment company," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.

    SECTION 3.18  NO MISSTATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACT.  No information, exhibit,
                  --------------------------------
report or document furnished by the Borrower to the Bank in connection with
the negotiation or execution of this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents contained any material misstatement of fact or omitted to state a
material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein
not misleading, all as of the date when furnished to the Bank.

    SECTION 3.19  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The foregoing
                  ------------------------------------------
representations and warranties in this Article III shall survive the making
of this Agreement, and execution and delivery of the Note and the Pledge
Agreement, and shall be deemed to be continuing representations and
warranties until such time as the Borrower has satisfied all of its
obligations to the Bank, including, but not limited to the obligation to pay
in full all principal, interest and other amounts in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement or the Notes.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    COVENANTS

    SECTION 4.1   NEGATIVE COVENANTS.  The Borrower agrees that until the
                  ------------------
Borrower satisfies all of its obligations to the Bank, including, but not
limited to, its obligations to pay in full all of the Borrower's Liabilities,
the Borrower shall not itself, nor shall the Borrower cause, permit or allow
Allegiant Bank to take any of the following actions, without the prior
written consent of the Bank, which shall not be unreasonably withheld,
delayed or conditioned by the Bank:


                                    15
<PAGE> 16

         (a) create, assume, incur, have outstanding, or in any manner become
liable in respect of any indebtedness for borrowed money, except in the case
of Borrower, secured indebtedness under Subsection 4.1(b)(vi), other
indebtedness not otherwise permitted by this Section 4.1(a) in an amount not
to exceed $250,000.00 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding, and, in
the case of the Subsidiary, indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of
its respective business and in accordance with applicable laws and
regulations and safe and sound business practices, provided, that for
purposes of this Agreement, the phrase "indebtedness" shall mean and include:

             (i)      all items arising from the borrowing of money, which
according to GAAP now in effect, would be included in determining total
liabilities as shown on a balance sheet;

             (ii)     all indebtedness secured by any lien on property owned
by the respective debtor whether or not such indebtedness shall have been
assumed;

             (iii)    all guarantees and similar contingent liabilities in
respect to indebtedness of others; and

             (iv)     all other interest-bearing obligations evidencing
indebtedness in others;

         (b) create, assume, incur, suffer or permit to exist any mortgage,
pledge, deed of trust, encumbrance (including the lien or retained security
title of a conditional vendor) security interest, assignment, lien or charge
of any kind or character upon or with respect to any of its properties
whether owned at the date hereof or hereafter acquired, or assigned or
otherwise convey any right to receive income excepting only:

             (i)      liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental
charges not yet due or payable;

             (ii)     liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental
charges already due, but the validity of which is being contested at the time
in good faith in such a manner as not to make the property forfeitable;

             (iii)    liens and charges incidental to current operations
which are not due or delinquent;

             (iv)     liens for workmen's compensation awards not due or
delinquent;

             (v)      pledges or deposits to secure obligations under
workers' compensation laws or similar legislation;

             (vi)     purchase money mortgages or other liens on real
property including


                                    16
<PAGE> 17

those incurred for the construction of a banking facility, and bank furniture
and fixtures acquired or held in the ordinary course of business to secure the
purchase price of such property or to secure the indebtedness incurred solely
for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction or improvement of
any such property to be subject to such mortgages or other liens, or mortgages
or other liens existing on any such property at the time of acquisition, or
extensions, renewals or replacements of any of the foregoing for the same or a
lesser amount, provided, however, no such mortgage or other liens shall extend
to or cover any property other than the property being acquired, constructed or
improved, and no such extension, renewal or replacement shall extend to or
cover any property not theretofore subject to the mortgage or lien being
extended, renewed or replaced, and provided further, no such mortgage or lien
shall exceed 75% of the price of acquisition, construction or improvement at
the time of acquisition, construction or improvement, and provided further,
that the aggregate principal amount of consolidated indebtedness at any one
time outstanding and secured by mortgages, liens, conditional sale agreements
and other security interests permitted by this clause (vi) shall not exceed 10%
of the consolidated capital of the Borrower or the Subsidiary, as the case
may be;

             (vii)    liens existing on the date hereof as shown on the
financial statements; and

             (viii)   in the case of any Subsidiary, liens incurred in the
ordinary course of its respective business and in accordance with applicable
laws and regulations and safe and sound business practices;

         (c) dispose by sale, assignment, lease or otherwise property or
assets now owned or hereafter acquired, outside the ordinary course of
business in excess of 10% of its consolidated assets in any fiscal year;

         (d) merge into or consolidate with or into any other person, firm or
corporation;

         (e) make any loans or advances whether secured or unsecured to any
person, firm or corporation, other than loans or advances made by a
Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business and in accordance with
applicable laws and regulations and safe and sound business practices;

         (f) engage in any business or activity not permitted by all
applicable laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, the state banking laws of Missouri, the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act and any regulations promulgated thereunder, where the
engagement in such unpermitted business or act would reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on the Borrower or the Subsidiary;

         (g) make any loan or advance secured by five percent (5%) or more of
the issued and outstanding capital stock of a bank or depository institution
(except for loans made in the ordinary course of business), or acquire five
percent (5%) or more of the issued and


                                    17
<PAGE> 18

outstanding capital stock, assets or obligations of or any interest in another
bank or depository institution;

         (h) directly or indirectly create, assume, incur, suffer or permit
to exist any pledge, encumbrance, security interest, assignment, lien or
charge of any kind or character on the capital stock of the Subsidiary;

         (i) sell, transfer, issue, reissue, exchange or grant any option
with respect to any capital stock of the Subsidiary;

         (j) redeem any of its capital stock or the capital stock of any
Subsidiary or declare a stock dividend or split or otherwise change its
capital structure or the capital structure of the Subsidiary;

         (k) breach or fail to perform or observe any of the terms and
conditions of the Notes, the Pledge Agreement or any other Loan Document;

         (l) engage in any unsafe or unsound banking practice having a
materially adverse effect on the Borrower or the Subsidiary; or

         (m) violate any law or regulation, or any condition imposed by or
undertaking provided to any Government Agency having a materially adverse
effect on the Borrower or the Subsidiary.

    SECTION 4.2   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.  The Borrower agrees that until the
                  ---------------------
Borrower satisfies all of its obligations to the Bank, including, but not
limited to, its obligations to pay in full all principal, interest and other
amounts due in accordance with the terms of the Agreement, the Notes and the
Pledge Agreement, it shall:

         (a) furnish and deliver to the Bank:

             (i)      as soon as practicable, and in no event later than
forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three calendar
quarterly periods of the Borrower and Allegiant Bank, a copy of: (1) the
balance sheet, income statement, statements of changes in financial position
and cash flow and any supporting schedules prepared in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied and signed by the respective President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Borrower and the Subsidiary; and (2) all financial
statements, including, but not limited to, all Call Reports, filed with any
state or federal bank regulatory authority;

             (ii)     as soon as practicable, and in no event later than
ninety (90) days after the end of each calendar year, a copy of: (1) the
consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such year and of the consolidated
income, changes in financial position and cash flow statements for the
Borrower for such year audited by independent certified public accountants
satisfactory to the Bank and accompanied by an unqualified opinion; and (2)
all financial statements and


                                    18
<PAGE> 19

reports, including, but not limited to, Call Reports and annual reports, filed
annually by any Subsidiary with state or federal regulatory authorities;

             (iii)    at the Bank's request, copies of the then current
loan/asset watch list, the substandard loan/asset list, the nonperforming
loan/asset list and other real estate owned list of the Subsidiary engaged in
the banking business;

             (iv)     immediately after receiving knowledge thereof, notice
in writing of all charges, assessments, actions, suits and proceeding that
are proposed or initiated by, or brought before, any court or governmental
department, commission, board or other administrative agency, in connection
with the Borrower or the Subsidiary, other than ordinary course of business
litigation not involving the FRS, the FDIC or any other Government Agency,
which, if adversely decided, would not have a material effect on the
financial condition or operations of the Borrower or the Subsidiary; and

             (v)      promptly after the occurrence thereof, notice of any
other matter which has resulted in a materially adverse change in the
financial condition or operations of the Borrower or the Subsidiary;

         (b) within forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar
quarter, deliver to the Bank a certificate signed by the President and the
Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower, containing a computation of the then
current financial ratios specified in Subsections 4.2(d) through (g) of this
Agreement, and stating that no Default or unmatured Default has occurred or
is continuing, or, if there is any such event, describing such event, the
steps, if any, that are being taken to cure it, and the time within which
such cure will occur;

         (c) maintain such capital as is necessary to cause Allegiant Bank to
be classified as a "well capitalized" institution in accordance with the
regulations of the FDIC;

         (d) maintain such capital as is necessary to meet the following
regulatory ratios on a consolidated basis as measured on the basis of
information filed by the Borrower in its periodic financial reports filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as follows:

             (i)      Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets of not less than
8.0%;

             (ii)     Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets of not less than
4.0%; and

             (iii)    Tier 1 Capital to Average Total Assets of not less than
4.0% (for the purposes of this Subsection 4.2(d)(iii), the Average Total
Assets shall be determined on the basis of information for the four most
recently ended calendar quarters as reflected in the financial reports filed
with the SEC);

         (e) on a consolidated basis, cause the ratio of its nonperforming
loans to its


                                    19
<PAGE> 20

primary capital to be not more than twenty percent (20%) at all times (for
purposes of this Subsection 4.2(e), "primary capital" shall mean the sum of the
common stock, surplus and retained earnings accounts plus the reserve for loan
and lease losses, less goodwill, and "nonperforming loans" shall mean the sum
of all non-accrual loans and loans on which any payment is ninety (90) or more
days past due);

         (f) on a consolidated basis, cause the ratios of its loan and lease
loss reserve to its total loans to be not less than one percent (1.0%) at all
times;

         (g) on a consolidated basis, cause its Return on Assets, determined
on the basis of information filed in its financial reports filed with the
SEC, to be at least four tenths of one percent (0.40%) at the end of every
calendar year;

         (h) promptly pay and discharge all material taxes, assessments and
other governmental charges imposed upon the Borrower or the Subsidiary or
upon the income, profits, or property of the Borrower or the Subsidiary and
all material claims for labor, material or supplies which, if unpaid, might
by law become a lien or charge upon the property of the Borrower or the
Subsidiary, provided, however, that neither the Borrower nor the Subsidiary
shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge or claim, so long
as the validity thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, and reserves therefor are maintained on the books of the
Borrower or the Subsidiary as are deemed reasonably adequate by the Bank;

         (i) maintain bonds and insurance with responsible and reputable
insurance companies or associations in such amounts and covering such risk as
is usually carried by owners of similar businesses and properties in the same
general area in which the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries, respectively,
operates, and such additional bonds and insurance as may be reasonably
required by the Bank;

         (j) permit the Bank through its employees, attorneys, accountants or
other agents, to inspect any of the properties, corporate books and financial
books and records of the Borrower and the Subsidiary at such times and as
often as the Bank reasonably may request; and

         (k) provide promptly to the Bank other information concerning the
business, operations, financial condition and regulatory status of the
Borrower and the Subsidiary as the Bank may from time to time reasonably
request.

                                    ARTICLE 5
                                     DEFAULT

    SECTION 5.1   EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  The happening or occurrence of any of
                  -----------------
the following events or acts shall each constitute a Default hereunder, and
any such Default shall also constitute a Default under both the Term Note and
the Revolving Note (or any replacement or substitute note therefor), the
Pledge Agreement and any other Loan Document, without right to notice or time
to cure in favor of the Borrower except as indicated below:


                                    20
<PAGE> 21

         (a) if the Borrower fails to make any payment of principal or
interest on either the Term Loan or the Revolving Loan or any other payment
required under the terms of the Loan Documents when due and such payment
remains unpaid for ten (10) days after the due date thereof;

         (b) if the Borrower shall fail to perform or observe, or cause or
permit any Subsidiary to fail to perform or observe any covenants or
obligations under this Agreement, other than those set forth in subsection
(a) above, and including, but not limited to, all affirmative and negative
covenants set forth in Article 4 of this Agreement, or under any of the other
Loan Documents, and the same remains uncured for thirty (30) days after any
executive officer of the Borrower or the Subsidiary knows or should have
known of such failure;

         (c) if any representation or warranty made in any of the Loan
Documents shall be false when made or at the time of any extension of the
term of this Agreement (it being agreed that the Bank shall be under no
obligation to grant any such extension) or at the time of any Disbursement;

         (d) if the Borrower fails to perform or observe any covenant or
agreement contained in any other agreement between the Borrower or the
Subsidiary and the Bank, or if any condition contained in any agreement
between the Borrower or the Subsidiary and the Bank is not fulfilled and such
failure remains uncured for thirty (30) days after any executive officer of
the Borrower or the Subsidiary knows or should have known of such failure;

         (e) if the FRS, the FDIC or other Governmental Agency charged with
the regulation of the Borrower or the Subsidiary:

             (i)      issues to the Borrower or the Subsidiary, or initiates
any action, suit or proceeding to obtain against, impose on or require from
the Borrower or the Subsidiary, a cease and desist order or similar
regulatory order, the assessment of material civil monetary penalties,
articles of agreement, a memorandum of understanding, a capital directive, a
capital restoration plan, restrictions that prevent or as a practical matter
impair the payment of dividends by the Subsidiary or the payments of any debt
by the Borrower, restrictions that make the payment of dividends by the
Subsidiary or the payment of debt by the Borrower subject to prior regulatory
approval, a notice or finding under Section 8(a) of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act or any similar enforcement action, measure or proceeding; or

             (ii)     issues to any officer or director of the Borrower or
the Subsidiary, or initiates any action, suit or proceeding to obtain
against, impose on or require from any such officer or director, a cease and
desist order or similar regulatory order, a removal order or suspension order
or the assessment of material civil monetary penalties;

         (f) if the Subsidiary is notified that it is considered an
institution in "troubled condition" within the meaning of 12 U.S.C. Section
1831i and the regulations promulgated


                                    21
<PAGE> 22

thereunder, or if a conservator or receiver is appointed for the Subsidiary;

         (g) if the Borrower or the Subsidiary becomes insolvent or is unable
to pay its debts as they mature; or makes an assignment for the benefit of
creditors or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature;
or suspends transaction of its usual business, or if a trustee of any
substantial part of the assets of the Borrower or the Subsidiary is applied
for or appointed, and if appointed in a proceeding brought against the
Borrower or the Subsidiary, the Borrower or the Subsidiary, respectively, by
any action or failure to act indicates its approval of, consent to or
acquiescence in such appointment, or within thirty (30) days such appointment
is not vacated or stayed on appeal or otherwise, or shall not otherwise have
ceased to continue in effect;

         (h) if any proceedings involving the Borrower or the Subsidiary are
commenced by or against the Borrower or the Subsidiary under any bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution or
liquidation law or statute of the federal government or any state government
and if such proceedings are instituted against the Borrower or the
Subsidiary, the Borrower or the Subsidiary, respectively, by any action or
failure to act indicates its approval of, consent to or acquiescence therein,
or an order shall be entered approving the petition in such proceedings and
within thirty (30) days after the entry thereof such order is not vacated or
stayed on appeal or otherwise, or shall not otherwise have ceased to continue
in effect; or

         (i) if the Borrower or the Subsidiary continues to be in default in
any payment of principal or interest for any other obligation, or in the
performance of any other term, condition or covenant contained in any
agreement (including, but not limited to, an agreement in connection with the
acquisition of capital equipment on a title retention or net lease basis),
under which any such obligation is created, the effect of which default is to
cause or permit the holder of such obligation to cause such obligation to
become due prior to its stated maturity.

    SECTION 5.2   REMEDIES OF THE BANK.  Upon the occurrence of a Default, the
                  --------------------
Bank shall have all rights and remedies provided by applicable law and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, may, at its option, declare
its commitments under the Loan Documents to be terminated hereunder and all
the Term Notes and the Revolving Note shall thereupon be and become
forthwith, immediately due and payable, without any presentment, demand,
protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived
by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in the Notes or the Pledge
Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, and may
also, without limitation, appropriate and apply toward the payment of the
Notes any indebtedness of the Bank to the Borrower however created or
arising, and may also, without limitation, exercise any and all rights in and
to the collateral security referred to in Section 1.4 above and under the
Pledge Agreement and any other collateral held by the Bank.  There shall be
no obligation to liquidate any such collateral in any order or with any
priority or to exercise any remedy available to the Bank in any order.


                                    22
<PAGE> 23

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

    Section 6.1   WAIVER BY THE BANK.  No failure or delay on the part of the
                  ------------------
Bank in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof.  No single or partial exercise of any such right, power or
remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, power or remedy hereunder.  The remedies herein provided
are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.  Time is of
the essence in the performance of the covenants, agreements and obligations
of the Borrower and the Bank.

    SECTION 6.2   ENTIRE AGREEMENT; MODIFICATION OF THE AGREEMENT.  This
                  -----------------------------------------------
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes
all prior agreements between the Bank and the Borrower with respect to the
subject matter hereof.  No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of
any provision in this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement or the Notes, or
consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall be effective except
for the specific purpose for which given and only then if in writing and
signed by the party intending to be bound.  No notice to or demand on the
Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further
notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

    SECTION 6.3   NOTICES.  All notices, requests, demands and other
                  -------
communications provided for hereunder shall be: (a) in writing; (b) made in
one of the following manners; and (c) deemed given (i) if and when personally
delivered, (ii) on the next business day if sent by nationally recognized
overnight courier addressed to the appropriate party as set forth below or
(iii) on the fifth business day after being deposited in United States
certified or registered mail, and addressed as follows:

         (a) If to the Borrower:

             Allegiant Bancorp, Inc.
             2122 Kratky Road
             St. Louis, Missouri 63114
             Attention:  Sandra L. Friedman

         (b) If to the Bank:

             LaSalle National Bank
             135 South LaSalle Street
             Chicago, Illinois 60603
             Attention:  Wayne Veselsky

or, as to each party, at such other address as shall be designated by such
party in a written notice to each other party complying as to delivery with
the terms of this subsection.


                                    23
<PAGE> 24

    SECTION 6.4   COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number
                  ------------
of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when so constitute but one and the same instrument.

    SECTION 6.5   SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Agreement shall become
                  ----------------------
effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower and the Bank and
thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower and
the Bank and their respective successors and assigns, provided, that the
Borrower shall not have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any
interest herein without the prior written consent of the Bank, which consent
may be given or denied in the Bank's sole and absolute discretion.

    SECTION 6.6   GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS
                  -------------
HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED, EXECUTED AND DELIVERED AT, AND SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE
BEEN MADE AT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.  THE LOANS PROVIDED FOR HEREIN ARE TO BE
FUNDED AND REPAID AT, AND THIS AGREEMENT IS OTHERWISE TO BE PERFORMED AT,
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS AND THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE INTERPRETED, AND THE RIGHTS AND
LIABILITIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO DETERMINED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL
LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WITHOUT REFERENCE TO:  (a) ITS JUDICIALLY OR
STATUTORILY PRONOUNCED RULES REGARDING CONFLICT OF LAWS OR CHOICE OF LAW; (b)
WHERE ANY OTHER AGREEMENT IS EXECUTED OR DELIVERED; (c) WHERE ANY PAYMENT OR
OTHER PERFORMANCE REQUIRED BY ANY SUCH AGREEMENT IS MADE OR REQUIRED TO BE
MADE; (d) WHERE ANY BREACH OF ANY PROVISION OF ANY SUCH AGREEMENT OCCURS, OR
ANY CAUSE OF ACTION OTHERWISE ACCRUES; (e) WHERE ANY ACTION OR OTHER
PROCEEDING IS INSTITUTED OR PENDING; (f) THE NATIONALITY, CITIZENSHIP,
DOMICILE, PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS, OR JURISDICTION OR ORGANIZATION OR
DOMESTICATION OF ANY PARTY; (g) WHETHER THE LAWS OF THE FORUM JURISDICTION
OTHERWISE WOULD APPLY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF
ILLINOIS; OR (h) ANY COMBINATION OF THE FOREGOING.  AS PART OF THE
CONSIDERATION FOR NEW VALUE THIS DAY RECEIVED, THE BORROWER RECOGNIZES THAT
THE BANK'S PRINCIPAL OFFICE IS LOCATED IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND THAT THE
BANK MAY BE IRREPARABLY HARMED IF REQUIRED TO INSTITUTE OR DEFEND ANY ACTIONS
AGAINST THE BORROWER IN ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF
ILLINOIS OR COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS; THEREFORE, THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY:  (i)
AGREES THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING RELATING TO THE LOANS
OR ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF
ILLINOIS, IF FEDERAL JURISDICTION IS AVAILABLE, AND, OTHERWISE, IN THE
CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, AT THE BANK'S OPTION; (ii) CONSENTS TO THE
JURISDICTION OF EACH SUCH COURT IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING; (iii)
WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH THE BORROWER OR ALLEGIANT BANK MAY HAVE TO THE
LAYING OF VENUE IN ANY SUCH SUIT,


                                    24
<PAGE> 25

ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN EITHER SUCH COURT; AND (iv) AGREES TO JOIN THE BANK IN
ANY PETITION FOR REMOVAL TO EITHER SUCH COURT BROUGHT BY THE BANK.  THE
BORROWER WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY AND ANY OBJECTION TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF
ANY ACTION INSTITUTED HEREUNDER AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT ANY DEFENSE BASED ON
LACK OF JURISDICTION OR VENUE. NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT
OF THE BANK TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR AFFECT THE
RIGHT OF THE BANK TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ITS
PROPERTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

    SECTION 6.7   SEVERABILITY.  Any provision of this Agreement which is
                  ------------
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or
affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other
jurisdiction.  Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law.

    SECTION 6.8   SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  All covenants,
                  ------------------------------------------
agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein shall,
notwithstanding any investigation by or knowledge on the part of the Bank, be
deemed material and relied on by the Bank and shall survive the making of
this Agreement, and execution and delivery of the Notes and the Pledge
Agreement, and shall be deemed to be continuing representations and
warranties until such time as the Borrower has satisfied all of its
obligations to the Bank, including, but not limited to, the obligation to pay
in full all principal, interest and other amounts due in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement and the Notes.

    SECTION 6.9   EXTENSIONS AND RENEWALS.  This Agreement shall govern the
                  -----------------------
terms of any extensions or renewals to the Notes, subject to any additional
terms and conditions imposed by the Bank in connection with any such
extension or renewal.

    SECTION 6.10  INTEREST RATE REGULATION.  The Borrower hereby represents
                  ------------------------
that the indebtedness evidenced hereby constitutes a loan made by the Bank to
enable the Borrower to carry on a commercial enterprise for the purpose of
investment or profit; and that such loan is a loan for business purposes
under the intent and purview of  815 Ill. Comp. Stat. 205/4.

    SECTION 6.11  ACCOUNTING TERMS.  Any accounting term not specifically
                  ----------------
defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP which are applied
in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 3.4,
and all finan-cial data submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be
prepared in accordance with such principles.

    SECTION 6.12  PARTICIPATIONS.  The Bank reserves the right to sell
                  --------------
participations in the Loans or otherwise assign, transfer or hypothecate all
or any part of the Loans along with the corresponding rights in the Loan
Documents.


                                    25
<PAGE> 26

    SECTION 6.13  ADDITIONAL ACTIONS.  The Borrower agrees to do such further
                  ------------------
acts and things and to execute and deliver to the Bank such additional
assignments, agreements, powers and instruments, as the Bank may reasonably
require or deem advisable to carry into effect the purposes of this
Agreement, the Notes, the Pledge Agreement or any agreement or instrument in
connection herewith.  Such further actions may include, but not be limited
to, the filing of UCC-1 financing statements, in form satisfactory to the
Bank and its counsel, with the Secretaries of State of the States of Missouri
and Illinois in favor of the Bank with respect to the Pledged Security and
any proceeds therefrom.

          [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


                                    26
<PAGE> 27

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


ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC.                 LASALLE NATIONAL BANK



By:    /s/ Sandra L. Friedman           By:    /s/ Wayne J. Yeselsky
      ----------------------------            -------------------------
Name:  Sandra L. Friedman               Name:  Wayne J. Yeselsky
      ----------------------------            -------------------------
Title: SVP and CFO                      Title: SVP
      ----------------------------            -------------------------

                                    27

<PAGE> 28
                                   EXHIBIT A

                                   TERM NOTE

$10,400,000                                               CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

                                                          NOVEMBER 12, 1998

      FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC., a
Missouri corporation with its principal place of business located at 2122
Kratky Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63114 (the "Borrower"), hereby promises to
pay to the order of LaSalle National Bank, a national banking association
with its main office located in Chicago, Illinois (the "Bank"), the principal
sum of Ten Million Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($10,400,000),
or whatever lesser amount of principal remains unpaid and owing from time to
time under the terms of this Term Note, payable as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  ON OR BEFORE                     AMOUNT
                  ------------                     ------
              <S>                                <C>
               October 1, 1999                   $   500,000
               October 1, 2000                   $   500,000
               October 1, 2001                   $ 1,000,000
              November 12, 2001                  $ 8,400,000
</TABLE>

      This Term Note is referred to in, and was executed and delivered
pursuant to, that certain Loan Agreement of even date herewith between the
Borrower, and the Bank (as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from
time to time, the "Agreement"), to which reference is hereby made for a
statement of the terms and conditions under which the loan evidenced hereby
is to be repaid and for a statement of remedies upon the occurrence of a
"Default" as defined therein.  The Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.  All terms which are capitalized and used herein
(which are not otherwise specifically defined herein) and which are defined
in the Agreement shall be used in this Term Note as defined in the Agreement.

      The unpaid principal balance plus all accrued but unpaid interest
hereunder shall be due and payable on November 12, 2001, or such earlier date
on which such amount shall become due and payable on account of acceleration
by the Bank.

      The Borrower promises to pay to the Bank interest on the outstanding
unpaid principal amount hereof from the date of disbursement until payment in
full at the rates and payable at the times provided in the Agreement.
Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year, counting the
actual number of days elapsed.

      Upon the occurrence of any Default, the interest rate as provided in
Section 1.3(e) of the Agreement shall apply.  Interest due hereunder may, at
the Bank's option and subject to the terms of the Agreement, be charged to
any account maintained by the Borrower with the Bank.


<PAGE> 29

      It is the intention of the parties hereto to conform strictly to
applicable usury laws as in effect from time to time during the term of the
Loan.  Accordingly, if any transaction contemplated hereby would be usurious
under applicable law (including the laws of the United States of America, or
of any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable), then, in
that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement or this
Term Note, it is agreed that the aggregate of all consideration that
constitutes interest under applicable law that is contracted for, charged or
received under the Agreement or this Term Note or otherwise in connection
with the Agreement or this Term Note shall under no circumstances exceed the
maximum amount of interest allowed by applicable law, and any excess shall be
credited to the Borrower by the Bank (or if such consideration shall have
been paid in full, such excess refunded to the Borrower by the Bank).  All
sums paid, or agreed to be paid, to the Bank for the use, forbearance and
detention of the indebtedness of the Borrower by the Bank shall, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and
spread throughout the full term of such indebtedness until payment in full so
that the actual rate of interest is uniform during the full term thereof.

      To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower, for itself and
its legal representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns, expressly
waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of dishonor, notice of
nonpayment, notice of maturity, notice of protest, presentment for the
purpose of accelerating maturity, diligence in collection and the benefit of
any exemption under the homestead exemption laws, if any, or any other
exemption or insolvency laws, and further agrees that the Bank may release or
surrender, exchange or substitute any real estate and/or personal property or
other collateral security now held or which may hereafter be held as security
for the payment of this Term Note, and may extend the time for payment or
(with the consent of Borrower) otherwise modify the terms of payment for any
part or the whole of the indebtedness evidenced hereby.

      The principal amount of this Term Note may be prepaid pursuant to
certain optional prepayment provisions of the Agreement.  Upon or at any time
after the occurrence or existence of a Default, the Bank shall be entitled,
at its option, to accelerate the then outstanding indebtedness hereunder and
take such other action as provided for in the Agreement.

      THIS TERM NOTE HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED, EXECUTED AND DELIVERED AT, AND
SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE AT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.  THE LOAN REFERENCED
HEREIN IS TO BE FUNDED AND REPAID AT, AND THIS TERM NOTE IS OTHERWISE TO BE
PERFORMED AT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND THIS TERM NOTE SHALL BE INTERPRETED, AND
THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO DETERMINED, IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WITHOUT REFERENCE TO:  (i)
ITS JUDICIALLY OR STATUTORILY PRONOUNCED RULES REGARDING CONFLICT OF LAWS OR
CHOICE OF LAW; (ii) WHERE ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT IS EXECUTED OR DELIVERED;
(iii) WHERE ANY PAYMENT OR OTHER PERFORMANCE REQUIRED BY ANY SUCH INSTRUMENT
IS MADE OR REQUIRED TO BE MADE; (iv) WHERE ANY BREACH OF ANY PROVISION OF ANY
SUCH INSTRUMENT OCCURS, OR ANY CAUSE OF ACTION OTHERWISE ACCRUES; (v) WHERE
ANY ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING IS INSTITUTED OR PENDING; (vi) THE
NATIONALITY, CITIZENSHIP, DOMICILE, PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS, OR
JURISDICTION OR ORGANIZATION OR

                                      2

<PAGE> 30

DOMESTICATION OF ANY PARTY; (vii) WHETHER THE LAWS OF THE FORUM JURISDICTION
OTHERWISE WOULD APPLY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF
ILLINOIS; OR (viii) ANY COMBINATION OF THE FOREGOING.  AS PART OF THE
CONSIDERATION FOR NEW VALUE THIS DAY RECEIVED, THE BORROWER RECOGNIZES THAT
THE BANK'S PRINCIPAL OFFICE IS LOCATED IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND THAT THE BANK
MAY BE IRREPARABLY HARMED IF REQUIRED TO INSTITUTE OR DEFEND ANY ACTIONS
AGAINST THE BORROWER IN ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF
ILLINOIS OR COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS; THEREFORE, THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY (a)
AGREES THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING RELATING TO THE TERM
NOTE AND/OR THE LOAN EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT
OF ILLINOIS, IF FEDERAL JURISDICTION IS AVAILABLE, AND, OTHERWISE, IN THE
CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, AT THE BANK'S OPTION; (b) CONSENTS TO THE
JURISDICTION OF EACH SUCH COURT IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING; (c)
WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH THE BORROWER MAY HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE IN ANY
SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN EITHER SUCH COURT; AND (d) AGREES TO JOIN
THE BANK IN ANY PETITION FOR REMOVAL TO EITHER SUCH COURT BROUGHT BY THE BANK.
THE BORROWER WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY AND ANY OBJECTION TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE
OF ANY ACTION INSTITUTED HEREUNDER AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT ANY DEFENSE BASED
ON LACK OF JURISDICTION OR VENUE.  NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE
RIGHT OF THE BANK TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR
AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE BANK TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE
BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Term Note to be duly
executed as of the date first above written.

ATTEST:                                   ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC.


By:    /s/ Sandra L. Friedman           By:    /s/ Wayne J. Yeselsky
      ----------------------------            -------------------------
Name:  Sandra L. Friedman               Name:  Wayne J. Yeselsky
      ----------------------------            -------------------------
Title: SVP and CFO                      Title: SVP
      ----------------------------            -------------------------


                                       3

<PAGE> 31

                                   EXHIBIT B

                                   TERM NOTE

$3,250,000                                                CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

                                                          NOVEMBER 12, 1998

      FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC., a
Missouri corporation with its principal place of business located at 2122
Kratky Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63114 (the "Borrower"), hereby promises
to pay to the order of LaSalle National Bank, a national banking association
with its main office located in Chicago, Illinois (the "Bank"), the principal
sum of Three Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand United States Dollars
($3,250,000), or whatever lesser amount of principal remains unpaid and
owing from time to time under the terms of this Term Note, shall be due and
payable on November 10, 2001.

      This Term Note is referred to in, and was executed and delivered
pursuant to, that certain Loan Agreement of even date herewith between
the Borrower, and the Bank (as amended, restated, supplemented or modified
from time to time, the "Agreement"), to which reference is hereby made for a
statement of the terms and conditions under which the loan evidenced hereby
is to be repaid and for a statement of remedies upon the occurrence of a
"Default" as defined therein.  The Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.  All terms which are capitalized and used herein
(which are not otherwise specifically defined herein) and which are defined
in the Agreement shall be used in this Term Note as defined in the Agreement.

      The unpaid principal balance plus all accrued but unpaid interest
hereunder shall be due and payable on November 10, 2001, or such earlier date
on which such amount shall become due and payable on account of acceleration
by the Bank.

      The Borrower promises to pay to the Bank interest on the outstanding
unpaid principal amount hereof from the date hereof until payment in full at
the rates and payable at the times provided in the Agreement.  Interest shall
be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year, counting the actual number of
days elapsed.

      Upon the occurrence of any Default, the interest rate as provided in
Section 1.3(e) of the Agreement shall apply.  Interest due hereunder may, at
the Bank's option and subject to the terms of the Agreement, be charged to
any account maintained by the Borrower with the Bank.

      It is the intention of the parties hereto to conform strictly to
applicable usury laws as in effect from time to time during the term of the
Loan.  Accordingly, if any transaction contemplated hereby would be usurious
under applicable law (including the laws of the United States of America, or
of any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable), then, in
that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement or this
Term Note, it is agreed that the aggregate of all consideration that
constitutes interest under applicable law that is contracted for, charged or
received under the Agreement or this Term Note or otherwise in connection
with the Agreement or this Term Note shall under no circumstances exceed the
maximum amount of interest


<PAGE> 32

allowed by applicable law, and any excess shall be credited to the Borrower by
the Bank (or if such consideration shall have been paid in full, such excess
refunded to the Borrower by the Bank).  All sums paid, or agreed to be paid,
to the Bank for the use, forbearance and detention of the indebtedness of the
Borrower by the Bank shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be
amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the full term of such
indebtedness until payment in full so that the actual rate of interest is
uniform during the full term thereof.

      To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower, for itself and
its legal representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns, expressly
waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of dishonor, notice of nonpayment,
notice of maturity, notice of protest, presentment for the purpose of
accelerating maturity, diligence in collection and the benefit of any
exemption under the homestead exemption laws, if any, or any other exemption
or insolvency laws, and further agrees that the Bank may release or surrender,
exchange or substitute any real estate and/or personal property or other
collateral security now held or which may hereafter be held as security for
the payment of this Term Note, and may extend the time for payment or (with
the consent of Borrower) otherwise modify the terms of payment for any part or
the whole of the indebtedness evidenced hereby.

      The principal amount of this Term Note may be prepaid pursuant to
certain optional prepayment provisions of the Agreement.  Upon or at any time
after the occurrence or existence of a Default, the Bank shall be entitled, at
its option, to accelerate the then outstanding indebtedness hereunder and take
such other action as provided for in the Agreement.

      THIS TERM NOTE HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED, EXECUTED AND DELIVERED AT, AND
SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE AT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.  THE LOAN REFERENCED
HEREIN IS TO BE FUNDED AND REPAID AT, AND THIS TERM NOTE IS OTHERWISE TO BE
PERFORMED AT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND THIS TERM NOTE SHALL BE INTERPRETED, AND
THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO DETERMINED, IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WITHOUT REFERENCE TO:  (i)
ITS JUDICIALLY OR STATUTORILY PRONOUNCED RULES REGARDING CONFLICT OF LAWS OR
CHOICE OF LAW; (ii) WHERE ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT IS EXECUTED OR DELIVERED;
(iii) WHERE ANY PAYMENT OR OTHER PERFORMANCE REQUIRED BY ANY SUCH INSTRUMENT
IS MADE OR REQUIRED TO BE MADE; (iv) WHERE ANY BREACH OF ANY PROVISION OF ANY
SUCH INSTRUMENT OCCURS, OR ANY CAUSE OF ACTION OTHERWISE ACCRUES; (v) WHERE
ANY ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING IS INSTITUTED OR PENDING; (vi) THE NATIONALITY,
CITIZENSHIP, DOMICILE, PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS, OR JURISDICTION OR
ORGANIZATION OR DOMESTICATION OF ANY PARTY; (vii) WHETHER THE LAWS OF THE
FORUM JURISDICTION OTHERWISE WOULD APPLY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN
THE STATE OF ILLINOIS; OR (viii) ANY COMBINATION OF THE FOREGOING.  AS PART OF
THE CONSIDERATION FOR NEW VALUE THIS DAY RECEIVED, THE BORROWER RECOGNIZES
THAT THE BANK'S PRINCIPAL OFFICE IS LOCATED IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND THAT THE
BANK MAY BE IRREPARABLY HARMED IF REQUIRED TO INSTITUTE OR DEFEND ANY ACTIONS
AGAINST THE BORROWER IN ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF
ILLINOIS OR

                                      2

<PAGE> 33


COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS; THEREFORE, THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY (a) AGREES THAT ANY
SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING RELATING TO THE TERM NOTE AND/OR THE
LOAN EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS, IF
FEDERAL JURISDICTION IS AVAILABLE, AND, OTHERWISE, IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
COOK COUNTY, AT THE BANK'S OPTION; (b) CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF EACH
SUCH COURT IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING; (c) WAIVES ANY OBJECTION
WHICH THE BORROWER MAY HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR
PROCEEDING IN EITHER SUCH COURT; AND (d) AGREES TO JOIN THE BANK IN ANY
PETITION FOR REMOVAL TO EITHER SUCH COURT BROUGHT BY THE BANK.  THE BORROWER
WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY AND ANY OBJECTION TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY ACTION
INSTITUTED HEREUNDER AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT ANY DEFENSE BASED ON LACK OF
JURISDICTION OR VENUE.  NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE
BANK TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR AFFECT THE RIGHT
OF THE BANK TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ITS
PROPERTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Term Note to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.


ATTEST:                                   ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC.


By:    /s/ Sandra L. Friedman           By:    /s/ Wayne J. Yeselsky
      ----------------------------            -------------------------
Name:  Sandra L. Friedman               Name:  Wayne J. Yeselsky
      ----------------------------            -------------------------
Title: SVP and CFO                      Title: SVP
      ----------------------------            -------------------------


                                       3

<PAGE> 34

                                   EXHIBIT C

                                REVOLVING NOTE


$2,000,000                                                CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

                                                          NOVEMBER 12, 1998


       FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC., a
Missouri corporation with its principal place of business located at 2122
Kratky Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63114 (the "Borrower"), hereby promises to
pay to the order of LaSalle National Bank, a national banking association
with its main office located in Chicago, Illinois (the "Bank"), the principal
sum of Two Million United States Dollars ($2,000,000), or whatever lesser
amount of principal remains unpaid and owing from time to time under the
terms of this Revolving Note.

       This Revolving Note is referred to in, and was executed and delivered
pursuant to, that certain Loan Agreement of even date herewith between the
Borrower, and the Bank (as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from
time to time, the "Agreement"), to which reference is hereby made for a
statement of the terms and conditions under which the loan evidenced hereby
is to be repaid and for a statement of remedies upon the occurrence of a
"Default" as defined therein.  The Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.  All terms which are capitalized and used herein
(which are not otherwise specifically defined herein) and which are defined
in the Agreement shall be used in this Revolving Note as defined in the
Agreement.

       The Borrower agrees that in any action or proceeding instituted to
collect or enforce collection of this Revolving Note, the amount endorsed by
the Bank on the schedule attached to this Revolving Note shall be prima facie
evidence of the unpaid principal balance of this Revolving Note.

       The unpaid principal balance plus all accrued but unpaid interest
hereunder shall be due and payable on November 5, 1999, or such earlier date
on which such amount shall become due and payable on account of acceleration
by the Bank.

       The Borrower shall make all payments of principal due under the terms
of this Revolving Note at the times, in the manner and in the amounts provided
in the Agreement.  The Borrower promises to pay to the Bank interest on the
outstanding unpaid principal amount hereof from the date hereof until payment
in full at the rates and payable at the times provided in the Agreement.
Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year, counting the
actual number of days elapsed.

       Upon the occurrence of any Default, the interest rate as provided in
Section 1.3(e) of the Agreement shall apply.  Interest due hereunder may, at
the Bank's option and subject to the terms of the Agreement, be charged to
any account maintained by the Borrower with the Bank.

       It is the intention of the parties hereto to conform strictly to
applicable usury laws as in effect from time to time during the term of the
Loan.  Accordingly, if any transaction contemplated hereby would be usurious
under applicable law (including the laws of the United States of America,

<PAGE> 35

or of any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable), then,
in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement or
this Revolving Note, it is agreed that the aggregate of all consideration that
constitutes interest under applicable law that is contracted for, charged or
received under the Agreement or this Revolving Note or otherwise in connection
with the Agreement or this Revolving Note shall under no circumstances exceed
the maximum amount of interest allowed by applicable law, and any excess shall
be credited to the Borrower by the Bank (or if such consideration shall have
been paid in full, such excess refunded to the Borrower by the Bank).  All
sums paid, or agreed to be paid, to the Bank for the use, forbearance and
detention of the indebtedness of the Borrower by the Bank shall, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread
throughout the full term of such indebtedness until payment in full so that
the actual rate of interest is uniform during the full term thereof.

       To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower, for itself
and its legal representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns, expressly
waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of dishonor, notice of nonpayment,
notice of maturity, notice of protest, presentment for the purpose of
accelerating maturity, diligence in collection and the benefit of any
exemption under the homestead exemption laws, if any, or any other exemption
or insolvency laws, and further agrees that the Bank may release or surrender,
exchange or substitute any real estate and/or personal property or other
collateral security now held or which may hereafter be held as security for
the payment of this Revolving Note, and may extend the time for payment or
(with the consent of Borrower) otherwise modify the terms of payment for any
part or the whole of the indebtedness evidenced hereby.

       This Revolving Note may not be prepaid in whole or in part.  Upon or
at any time after the occurrence or existence of a Default, the Bank shall be
entitled, at its option, to accelerate the then outstanding indebtedness
hereunder and take such other action as provided for in the Agreement.

       THIS REVOLVING NOTE HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED, EXECUTED AND DELIVERED AT, AND
SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE AT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.  THE LOAN REFERENCED
HEREIN IS TO BE FUNDED AND REPAID AT, AND THIS REVOLVING NOTE IS OTHERWISE TO
BE PERFORMED AT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND THIS REVOLVING NOTE SHALL BE
INTERPRETED, AND THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO DETERMINED,
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WITHOUT
REFERENCE TO:  (i) ITS JUDICIALLY OR STATUTORILY PRONOUNCED RULES REGARDING
CONFLICT OF LAWS OR CHOICE OF LAW; (ii) WHERE ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT IS EXECUTED
OR DELIVERED; (iii) WHERE ANY PAYMENT OR OTHER PERFORMANCE REQUIRED BY ANY
SUCH INSTRUMENT IS MADE OR REQUIRED TO BE MADE; (iv) WHERE ANY BREACH OF ANY
PROVISION OF ANY SUCH INSTRUMENT OCCURS, OR ANY CAUSE OF ACTION OTHERWISE
ACCRUES; (v) WHERE ANY ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING IS INSTITUTED OR PENDING;
(vi) THE NATIONALITY, CITIZENSHIP, DOMICILE, PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS, OR
JURISDICTION OR ORGANIZATION OR DOMESTICATION OF ANY PARTY; (vii) WHETHER THE
LAWS OF THE FORUM JURISDICTION OTHERWISE WOULD APPLY THE LAWS OF A
JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS; OR (viii) ANY COMBINATION OF
THE FOREGOING.  AS PART OF THE CONSIDERATION FOR NEW VALUE THIS DAY RECEIVED,
THE BORROWER RECOGNIZES THAT THE BANK'S PRINCIPAL OFFICE IS LOCATED IN
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND THAT THE BANK MAY BE IRREPARABLY HARMED IF REQUIRED TO
INSTITUTE OR DEFEND ANY ACTIONS AGAINST THE BORROWER IN

                                      2

<PAGE> 36

ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS OR COOK COUNTY,
ILLINOIS; THEREFORE, THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY (a) AGREES THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION
OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING RELATING TO THE REVOLVING NOTE AND/OR THE LOAN
EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS, IF
FEDERAL JURISDICTION IS AVAILABLE, AND, OTHERWISE, IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF
COOK COUNTY, AT THE BANK'S OPTION; (b) CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF EACH
SUCH COURT IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING; (c) WAIVES ANY OBJECTION
WHICH THE BORROWER MAY HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION
OR PROCEEDING IN EITHER SUCH COURT; AND (d) AGREES TO JOIN THE BANK IN ANY
PETITION FOR REMOVAL TO EITHER SUCH COURT BROUGHT BY THE BANK.  THE BORROWER
WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY AND ANY OBJECTION TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY
ACTION INSTITUTED HEREUNDER AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT ANY DEFENSE BASED ON
LACK OF JURISDICTION OR VENUE.  NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE
RIGHT OF THE BANK TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR
AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE BANK TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE
BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Revolving Note to
beduly executed as of the date first above written.

ATTEST:                                   ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC.


By:    /s/ Sandra L. Friedman           By:    /s/ Wayne J. Yeselsky
      ----------------------------            -------------------------
Name:  Sandra L. Friedman               Name:  Wayne J. Yeselsky
      ----------------------------            -------------------------
Title: SVP and CFO                      Title: SVP
      ----------------------------            -------------------------


                                       3