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                                                                  Exhibit 10.2.1


                                 PROMISSORY NOTE



$1,980,000                                                       March 31, 1999



         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Brett N. Silvers (hereinafter
called "MAKER") promises to pay to the order of First International Bancorp,
Inc. (hereinafter called "PAYEE") at its address at 280 Trumbull Street,
Hartford, Connecticut, or at such other place as the holder hereof (including
the Payee, hereinafter referred to as "HOLDER") may designate in lawful money of
the United States, the principal sum of One Million Nine Hundred Eighty Thousand
Dollars ($1,980,000), together with interest on the unpaid balance of this note,
beginning as of the date hereof, at an interest rate of seven (7%) percent per
annum, together with all expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
incurred in any action to collect this note.

         The principal of this note, together with accrued interest, shall be
due and payable in full on April 1, 2002. Such interest shall be calculated as
simple interest, rather than being compounded; however, notwithstanding the
interest rate and payment of interest and principal required above, no interest
or principal shall be payable under this note upon the occurrence of a Change of
Control (as defined in that certain Employment Agreement dated as of April 15,
1994 among Maker, Payee and First National Bank of Connecticut (now known as
First International Bank, National Association) ("FIRST INTERNATIONAL"), as
amended by those certain letter agreements dated July 3, 1997 and March 31, 1999
among Maker, Payee and First International).

         Maker agrees that (i) if Maker shall fail to pay any sum due under this
note within ten (10) days after receiving notice from the Holder that such
amount is due; or (ii) if Maker shall suffer or permit the filing by or against
it of any petition for adjudication, arrangement, reorganization or the like
under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or make an assignment for the benefit of
creditors, and if, in the case of an involuntary petition, such petition is not
dismissed within thirty (90) days of the filing thereof (each of the events and
circumstances in (i) and (ii) being events of default), then, upon the happening
of any of such event, the entire indebtedness with accrued interest thereon (if
any) due under this note shall be immediately due and payable at the option of
the Holder.
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         Maker may prepay any amounts on account of principal at any time
without the imposition of any fee or penalty.

         Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, in enforcing the provisions
hereof, the Holder shall not have the right to attach or execute upon any asset
of Maker unless and until the Holder shall have exhausted its remedies pursuant
to the Stock Pledge Agreement entered into between the Maker and the Payee this
day (that is, unless and until all of the shares of Payee Common Stock, par
value $.10 per share, pledged by Maker as collateral for this note have been
sold, and the proceeds thereof have been applied to the obligations of Maker set
forth in this note).

         This note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Connecticut.

         Dated this 31st day of March, 1999.


                                                /s/ Brett N. Silvers
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Brett N. Silvers