EXHIBIT 10.8

CARDINAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION  2002 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN  (Adopted May 29, 2002; Approved by Shareholders July 22, 2002)

1.    Purpose

The purpose of the Plan is to advance the long-term interests of Cardinal Financial Corporation by (i) motivating key personnel by means of
long-term incentive compensation, (ii) furthering the identity of interests of participants with those of the shareholders of the Corporation through the ownership and performance
of the Common Stock of the Corporation, and (iii) permitting the Corporation to attract and retain directors and key personnel upon whose judgment the successful conduct of the business of the
Corporation largely depends. Toward this objective, the Committee may grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, phantom stock and/or performance shares to key employees
of, and consultants to, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, and to non-employee directors of the Corporation, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Plan.

2.    Definitions

2.1  "Administrative
Policies" means the administrative policies and procedures adopted and amended from time to time by the Committee to administer the Plan.

2.2  "Award"
means any form of stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock award, phantom stock or performance share granted under the Plan, whether singly, in
combination, or in tandem, to a Participant by the Committee pursuant to such terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations, if any, as the Committee may establish by the Award Agreement or
otherwise.

2.3  "Award
Agreement" means a written agreement with respect to an Award between the Corporation and a Participant establishing the terms, conditions, restrictions and
limitations applicable to an Award. To the extent an Award Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, the Plan shall govern the rights of the Participant thereunder.

2.4  "Board"
means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

2.5  "Change
In Control" means a change in control of the Corporation of a nature that would be required to be reported (assuming such event has not been previously reported)
in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act (or a successor provision thereto),providedthat, without limitation, a Change In Control shall
be deemed to have occurred at such time after May 29, 2002 as (i) any "person", within the meaning of
Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the
Corporation's then outstanding securities, or (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors cease for any
reason to constitute at least a majority thereof unless the election or the nomination for election, by the Corporation's shareholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.

2.6  "Change
In Control Price" means the higher of (i) the mean of the high and low trading prices for the Corporation's Common Stock on the Stock Exchange on the date
of determination of the Change In Control or (ii) the highest price per share actually paid for the Common Stock in connection with the Change In Control of the Corporation.

2.7  "Code"
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

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2.8  "Committee"
means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or such other committee designated by the Board, authorized to administer the Plan under Section 3
hereof. The Committee, in its discretion, may delegate to a senior executive officer of the Corporation all or part of the Committee's authority and duties with respect to Awards to individuals who
are not subject to the
reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In the event of any such delegation, references herein to the "Committee" shall, to the extent of such permitted delegation, be
deemed to be references to such senior executive officer as well. The Committee may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time, but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of any
such senior executive officer that were consistent with the terms of the Plan.

2.9  "Common
Stock" means Common Stock, par value $1.00, of the Corporation.

2.10 "Corporation"
means Cardinal Financial Corporation.

2.11 "Exchange
Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

2.12 "Key
Employee" means an employee of the Corporation or a Subsidiary who holds a position of responsibility in a managerial, administrative or professional capacity, or
a consultant to the Corporation, in either case whose performance, as determined by the Committee in the exercise of its sole and absolute discretion, can have a significant effect on the growth,
profitability and success of the Corporation.

2.13 "Participant"
means any individual to whom an Award has been granted by the Committee under this Plan.

2.14 "Plan"
means the Cardinal Financial Corporation 2002 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended from time to time.

2.15 "Stock
Exchange" means the Nasdaq SmallCap Market or National Market System or the principal stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is traded or, if the Common
Stock is no longer traded on such a market or a stock exchange, then such other market price reporting system on which the Common Stock is traded or quoted designated by the Committee after it
determines that such other system is both reliable and reasonably accessible.

2.16 "Subsidiary"
means a corporation or other business entity in which the Corporation directly or indirectly owns fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting equity.

3.    Administration

(a)  The
Plan shall be administered under the supervision of the Committee composed of not less than two directors, each of whom shall be a "Non-Employee
Director" under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or act.

(b)  Members
of the Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, and may resign by written notice filed with the Chairman or the Secretary of the
Corporation.

(c)  A
vacancy in the membership of the Committee shall be filled by the appointment of a successor member by the Board of Directors. Until such vacancy is filled, the
remaining members shall constitute a quorum and the action at any meeting of a majority of the entire Committee, or an action unanimously approved in writing, shall constitute action of the Committee.
Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall have conclusive authority to construe and interpret the Plan, any Award Agreement entered into hereunder and to establish, amend and
rescind Administrative Policies for the administration of this Plan and shall have such additional authority as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine to be necessary or desirable.

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4.    Eligibility

Any Key Employee or director of the Corporation is eligible to become a Participant in the Plan.

5.    Shares Available

(a)  Shares
of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. Subject to the adjustments provided for in
Sections 17 and 18 hereof:



(b)  For
purposes of calculating the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be granted hereunder, each Award, whether denominated in stock options, stock appreciation
rights, restricted stock, performance shares or phantom stock, shall be deemed to be a grant of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares represented by the stock options,
shares of restricted stock, performance shares, shares of phantom stock or stock appreciation rights set forth in the Award,provided, however:



(c)  Any
shares for which an Award is granted hereunder that are released from such Award for any reason shall become available for other Awards to be granted under the Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of calculating the number of shares available for regrant in any year, the portion of any Award that has been settled by the payment of cash or the issuance
of shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, shall not be available for re-grant under the Plan, irrespective of the value of the settlement or the method of its payment. The
settlement of an Award shall not be deemed to be the grant of an Award hereunder.

6.    Term

The Plan shall become effective as of May 29, 2002 subject to approval of the Plan by the Corporation's shareholders at the 2002 annual meeting. No Awards
shall be exercisable or payable before approval of the Plan has been obtained from the Corporation's shareholders. Any Award made under the Plan prior to the date of approval by the shareholders shall
be void if shareholder approval is not obtained.

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7.    Participation

The Committee shall select, from time to time, Participants from directors and those Key Employees who, in the opinion of the Committee, can further the Plan's
purposes, and the Committee shall determine the type or types of Awards to be made to the Participant. The terms, conditions and restrictions of each Award shall be set forth in an Award Agreement.

8.    Stock Options

(a)Grants.Awards may be granted in the form of stock options. Stock options may be incentive stock options
within the meaning of section 422 of the Code or non-statutory stock options (i.e., stock options which are not incentive stock options), or a combination of both, or any particular
type of tax advantage option authorized by the Code from time to time.

(b)Terms and Conditions of Options.An option shall be exercisable in whole or in such installments and at such
times as may be determined by the Committee;provided,however, that no stock option shall be
exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date of grant thereof. The option exercise price shall be established by the Committee, but such price shall not be less than the per share fair
market value of the Common Stock, as determined by the Committee, on the date of the stock option's grant subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 17 or 18 hereof.

(c)Restrictions Relating to Incentive Stock Options.Stock options issued in the form of incentive stock
options shall, in addition to being subject to all applicable terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations established by the Committee, comply with section 422 of the Code. Incentive
Stock Options shall be granted (i) only to employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries within the meaning of section 424 of the Code and (ii) within ten (10) years
after the date of adoption of this Plan. The
aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date the option is granted) of shares with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by an individual during any
calendar year (under this Plan or any other plan of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which provides for the granting of incentive stock options) may not exceed $100,000 or such other number as may be
applicable under the Code from time to time. Any incentive stock option that is granted to any employee who is, at the time the option is granted, deemed for purposes of section 422 of the
Code, or any successor provision, to own shares of the Corporation possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Corporation or of a parent or
subsidiary of the Corporation, shall have an option exercise price that is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant and shall not be
exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date it is granted.

(d)Additional Terms and Conditions.The Committee may, by way of the Award Agreement or otherwise, establish
such other terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations, if any, on any stock option Award, provided they are not inconsistent with the Plan.

(e)Payment.Upon exercise, a Participant may pay the option exercise price of a stock option in cash or shares
of Common Stock, Stock Appreciation Rights or a combination of the foregoing, or such other consideration as the Committee may deem appropriate. The Committee shall establish appropriate methods for
accepting Common Stock and may impose such conditions as it deems appropriate on the use of such Common Stock to exercise a stock option.

9.    Stock Appreciation Rights

(a)Grants.Awards may be granted in the form of stock appreciation rights ("SARs"). SARs shall entitle the
recipient to receive a payment equal to the appreciation in market value of a stated number of shares of Common Stock from the price stated in the Award Agreement to the market value of the Common
Stock on the date of exercise or surrender. An SAR may be granted in tandem

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with all or a portion of a related stock option under the Plan ("Tandem SARs"), or may be granted separately ("Freestanding SARs"). A Tandem SAR may be granted either at the time of the grant of the
related stock option or at any time thereafter during the term of the stock option. An SAR may be exercised no sooner than six months after it is granted. In the case of SARs granted in tandem with
stock options granted prior to the grant of such SARs, the appreciation in value shall be appreciation from the option exercise price of such related stock option to the market value of the Common
Stock on the date of exercise.

(b)Terms and Conditions of Tandem SARs.Subject to limitations contained in the preceding paragraph, a Tandem
SAR shall be exercisable to the extent, and only to the extent, that the related stock option is
exercisable. Upon exercise of a Tandem SAR as to some or all of the shares covered by an Award, the related stock option shall be cancelled automatically to the extent of the number of SARs exercised,
and such shares shall not thereafter be eligible for grant under Section 5 hereof.

(c)Terms and Conditions of Freestanding SARs.Freestanding SARs shall be exercisable in whole or in such
installments and at such times as may be determined by the Committee. The base price of a Freestanding SAR shall also be determined by the Committee; provided,however, that such price shall not be less that the fair market value of the Common Stock, as
determined by the Committee, on the date of the award of the Freestanding SAR.

(d)Deemed Exercise.The Committee may provide that an SAR shall be deemed to be exercised at the close of
business on the scheduled expiration date of such SAR, if at such time the SAR by its terms is otherwise exercisable and, if so exercised, would result in a payment to the participant.

(e)Additional Terms and Conditions.The Committee may, consistent with the Plan, by way of the Award Agreement
or otherwise, determine such other terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations, if any, on any SAR Award, including but not limited to determining the manner in which payment of the
appreciation in value shall be made.

10.    Restricted Stock Awards

(a)Grants.Awards may be granted in the form of Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted Stock Awards shall be
awarded in such numbers and at such times as the Committee shall determine.

(b)Award Restrictions.Restricted Stock Awards shall be subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions, or
limitations as the Committee deems appropriate including, by way of illustration but not by way of limitation, restrictions on transferability, requirements of continued employment or individual
performance or the financial performance of the Corporation. The Committee may modify, or accelerate the termination of, the restrictions applicable to a Restricted Stock Award under such
circumstances as it deems appropriate.

(c)Rights as Shareholders.During the period in which any restricted shares of Common Stock are subject to the
restrictions imposed under the preceding paragraph, the Committee may, in its discretion, grant to the Participant to whom such restricted shares have been awarded all or any of the rights of a
shareholder with respect to such shares, including, by way of illustration but not by way of limitation, the right to vote such shares and to receive dividends.

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(d)Evidence of Award.Any Restricted Stock Award granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as
the
Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates.

11.    Phantom Stock

(a)Grants.Awards may be granted in the form of Phantom Stock Awards. Phantom Stock Awards shall entitle the
Participant to receive the market value or the appreciation in value of an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock on a settlement date determined by the Committee.

(b)Additional Terms and Conditions.The Committee may, consistent with the plan, by way of Award Agreement or
otherwise, determine such other terms, conditions, restrictions or limitations, if any, on any Award of Phantom Stock.

12.    Performance Shares

(a)Grants.Awards may be granted in the form of performance shares. "Performance Shares" means interests the
entitlement to which is based upon the attainment of predetermined Performance Targets as hereinafter defined during a Performance Period as hereinafter defined. At the end of the Performance Period,
Performance Shares shall be converted into Common Stock (or Common Stock and cash, as determined by the Award Agreement) and distributed to Participants based upon such entitlement.

(b)Performance Criteria.The Committee may grant an Award of Performance Shares to Participants as of the first
day of each Performance Period. As used herein, the term "Performance Period" means the period during which a Performance Target is measured and the term "Performance Target" means the
predetermined goals established by the Committee. A Performance Target will be established at the beginning of each Performance Period. If at the end of the Performance Period, the Performance Target
is fully met, the Performance Shares will be converted 100% into shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof, as determined by the Award Agreement) and issued to the Participant. Award
payments in excess of 100% shall be permitted based upon an attainment in excess of 100% of the Performance Target. If the Performance Target has not been fully met, Performance Shares will be
converted and delivered only to the extent, if any, provided at the time of the grant of such Award for conversion based upon partial attainment of the Performance Target and the balance of the
Performance Shares will be forfeited to the Corporation and available for reissuance pursuant to Section 5 hereof. Award payments made in cash rather than the issuance of Common Stock shall
not, by reason of such payment in cash, result in additional shares being available for reissuance pursuant to Section 5 hereof.

(c)Additional Terms and Conditions.The Committee may, consistent with the terms of this Plan, by way of the
Award Agreement or otherwise, determine the manner of payment of Awards of Performance Shares and other terms, conditions, restrictions or limitations, if any, on any Award of Performance Shares.

13.    Payment of Awards

Except as otherwise provided herein Award Agreements may provide that, at the discretion of the Committee, payment of Awards may be made in cash, Common Stock, a
combination of cash and Common Stock, or any other form of property as the Committee shall determine. Further, the terms of Award Agreements may provide for payment of Awards in the form of a lump sum
or installments, as determined by the Committee.

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14.    Dividends and Dividend Equivalents

If an Award is granted in the form of a Restricted Stock Award, Phantom Stock Award or a Freestanding SAR, the Committee may choose, at the time of the grant of
the Award, to include as part of such Award an entitlement to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions or limitations, if any, as the Committee may
establish. Dividends and dividend equivalents shall be paid in such form and manner and at such time as the Committee shall determine. All dividends or dividend equivalents which are not paid
currently may, at the Committee's discretion, accrue interest or be reinvested into additional shares of Common Stock.

15.    Termination of Employment

The Committee may adopt Administrative Policies determining the entitlement of Participants who cease to be employed by either the Corporation or Subsidiary
whether because of death, disability, resignation, termination or retirement pursuant to an established retirement plan or policy of the Corporation or of its applicable Subsidiary. Such matters may
also be dealt with under the terms of Award Agreements.

16.    Assignment and Transfer

The rights and interests of a Participant under the Plan may not be assigned, encumbered or transferred except (a) in the event of the death of a
Participant, by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and (b) as may be explicitly set forth in an Award Agreement.

17.    Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization

In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock by reason of any reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, combination
or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or any change in the corporate structure or shares of the Corporation, the maximum aggregate number and class of shares as to which Awards may be granted
under the Plan and the shares issuable pursuant to then outstanding Awards (and the exercise price of any outstanding stock options) shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee, whose
determination shall be final.

18.    Extraordinary Distributions and Pro-Rata Repurchases

In the event the Corporation shall at any time when an Award is outstanding make an Extraordinary Distribution (as hereinafter defined) in respect of Common Stock
or effect a ProRata Repurchase of Common Stock (as hereinafter defined), the Committee shall consider the economic impact of the Extraordinary Distribution or Pro-Rata Repurchase on
Participants and make such adjustments as it deems equitable under the circumstances. The determination of the Committee shall, subject to revision by the Board of Directors, be final and binding upon
all Participants.

(a)  As
used herein, the term "Extraordinary Distribution" means any dividend or other distribution of



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(b)  As
used herein "Pro-Rata Repurchase" means any purchase of shares of Common Stock by the Corporation or any Subsidiary thereof, pursuant to any tender offer
or exchange offer, subject to Section 13(e) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision of law, or pursuant to any other offer available to substantially all holders of Common Stock; provided,however, that no purchase of shares of the Corporation or any Subsidiary thereof made in open
market transactions shall be deemed a Pro-Rata Repurchase.

19.    Withholding Taxes

The Corporation or the applicable Subsidiary shall be entitled to deduct from any payment under the Plan, regardless of the form of such payment, the amount of
all applicable income and employment tax required by law to be withheld with respect to such payment or may require the Participant to pay to it such tax prior to and as a condition of the making of
such payment. The Committee may allow a Participant to pay the amount of taxes required by law to be withheld from an Award by withholding from any payment of Common Stock due as a result of such
Award, or by permitting the Participant to deliver to the Corporation shares of Common Stock having a fair market value, as determined by the Committee, equal to the amount of such required
withholding taxes.

20.    Regulatory Approvals and Listings

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the contrary, the Corporation shall have a no obligation to issue or deliver certificates of Common Stock
evidencing Restricted Stock Awards or any other Award payable in Common Stock prior to (a) the obtaining of any approval from any governmental agency which the Corporation shall, in its sole
discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable, (b) the admission of such shares to listing on the Stock Exchange and (c) the completion of any registration or other qualification of
said shares under any state or federal law or ruling of any governmental body that the Corporation shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable.

21.    No Right to Continued Employment or Grants

Participation in the Plan shall not give any Key Employee any right to remain in the employ of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or any director the right to
remain as a director of the Corporation. The Corporation or, in the case of employment with a Subsidiary, the Subsidiary, reserves the right to terminate the employment of any Key Employee at any
time. The adoption of this Plan shall not be deemed to give any Key Employee or any other individual any right to be selected as a Participant, to be granted any Awards hereunder or if granted an
Award in any year, to receive Awards in any subsequent year.

22.    Amendment

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, modify or terminate this Plan at any time by action of its Board of Directors, or, by action of the Board of
Directors with the consent of a Participant, to amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award or Award Agreement, except that the Corporation may not, without shareholder approval, adopt any
amendment which would (a) materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (b) materially increase the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under
the Plan (except as specified in Section 17), or (c) materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan. Moreover, no

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action may be taken by the Corporation (without the consent of the Participant) that will impair the validity of any Award then outstanding or that will prevent any incentive stock options issued or
to be issued under this Plan from being "incentive stock options" as defined under section 422 of the Code or any successor provision.

23.    Governing Law

The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, except as preempted by applicable Federal law.

24.    Change In Control

(a)Stock Options.In the event of a Change In Control, options not otherwise exercisable at the time of a
Change In Control shall become fully exercisable immediately prior to such Change In Control and, in the discretion of the Committee, (i) the options shall be assumed, or an equivalent option
substituted, by any successor corporation to the Corporation, or (ii) the Corporation shall make provisions for the Participant to exercise the options for a minimum of ten (10) days
prior to the Change In Control as to all shares subject to the options.

(b)Stock Appreciation Rights.In the event of a Change In Control, Tandem SARs not otherwise exercisable upon a
Change In Control shall become exercisable to the extent that the related Stock Option is exercisable. Freestanding SARs not otherwise exercisable upon a Change In Control shall also become fully
exercisable upon such Change In Control.



(c)Restricted Stock Awards.In the event of a Change In Control, all restrictions previously established with
respect to Restricted Stock Awards will conclusively be deemed to have been satisfied. Participants shall be entitled to have issued to them the shares of Common Stock described in the applicable
Award Agreements, free and clear of any restriction or restrictive legend, except that if, upon the advice of counsel to the Corporation, shares of Common Stock cannot lawfully be issued without
restriction, then the Corporation shall make payment to Participants in cash in an amount equal to the Change In Control Price of the Common Stock that otherwise would have been issued:



(d)Phantom Stock.In the event of a Change In Control:



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(e)Performance Shares.In the event of a Change In Control:



(f)Miscellaneous.Upon a Change In Control, no action shall be taken which would adversely affect the rights of
any Participant or the operation of the Plan with respect to any Award to which the Participant may have become entitled hereunder on or prior to the date of the Change In Control or to which he may
become entitled as a result of such Change In Control.

25.    No Right, Title, or Interest In Corporation Assets

No Participant shall have any rights as a shareholder as a result of participation in the Plan until the date of issuance of a stock certificate in his name
except, in the case of Restricted Stock Awards, to the extent such rights are granted to the Participant under Section 10(c) hereof. To the extent any person acquires a right to receive
payments from the Corporation under this Plan, such rights shall be no greater than the rights of an unsecured creditor of the Corporation.

26.    Payment by Subsidiaries

Settlement of Awards to employees of Subsidiaries shall be made by and at the expense of such Subsidiary. Except as prohibited by law, if any portion of an Award
is to be settled in shares of Common Stock, the Corporation shall sell and transfer to the Subsidiary, and the Subsidiary shall purchase, the number of shares necessary to settle such portion of the
Award.

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