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                                  EXHIBIT 10.6


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                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into effective as
of the 21st day of July, 1999 by and between First Charter Corporation ("First
Charter") a North Carolina corporation, and Robert E. James ("Executive"), an
individual residing in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina;

         WHEREAS, Executive is a valued Executive of First Charter and its
wholly owned subsidiary, First Charter National Bank (the "Bank"), and in order
to induce Executive to continue employment with First Charter and to enhance
Executive's job security, First Charter desires to enter into this employment
agreement that will provide compensation to Executive in certain events,
including but not limited to Executive's termination of employment following a
change in control of First Charter, as hereinafter provided; and

         WHEREAS, because Executive has or will become familiar with First
Charter's and the Bank's products, relationships, trade secrets and confidential
information relating to First Charter's, the Bank's and their respective
customers' business, products, processes and developments and may generate or
have generated confidential information, First Charter wishes to protect its
long-term interests by having Executive enter into certain non-disclosure and
non-competition covenants;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms contained herein,
including the compensation First Charter agrees to pay to Executive upon certain
events, Executive's continued employment with First Charter, Executive's
covenants and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, First Charter and Executive agree as follows:

         1. EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES.

                  a. During the Employment Term (as defined in Section 3 below),
First Charter hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby agrees to serve, as
Group Executive Vice President of First Charter. As such, Executive shall have
responsibilities, duties and authority reasonably accorded to, expected of, and
consistent with Executive's position as Group Executive Vice President of First
Charter and will report directly to Lawrence M. Kimbrough of First Charter.
Executive shall also perform the duties and exercise the powers and functions
that from time to time may be assigned or vested in him by the Board and/or the
Board of Directors of First Charter's subsidiaries in relation to: (i) First
Charter; and/or (ii) any subsidiary or affiliated company of First Charter,
including general responsibility for the management and operations of the Bank.
Executive hereby accepts this employment upon the terms and conditions herein
contained and, subject to Section 1.c., agrees to devote substantially all of
his business time, attention and efforts to promote and further the business of
First Charter and the Bank.

                  b. Executive shall faithfully adhere to, execute and fulfill
all lawful requests, instructions and policies made by the Board or its
authorized agent(s).

                  c. Except as specifically authorized in advance by the Board,
Executive shall not, during the Employment Term (as defined in Section 3 below),
be engaged as an employee or otherwise in any other business or commercial
activity pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage. The foregoing
limitations also shall not be construed as prohibiting Executive from making
personal investments in such form or manner as will neither require his services
in the operation or affairs of the companies or enterprises in which such
investments are made nor violate the terms of Section 3 hereof, provided,
however, that during the Employment Term (as defined in Section 3 below),
Executive may not beneficially own the stock or options to acquire stock
totaling more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any corporation or entity, or
otherwise acquire or agree to acquire a significant present or future equity or
other proprietorship interests, whether as a stockholder, partner, proprietor,
or otherwise, with any enterprise, business or division thereof, that is engaged
in Competitive Activity (as defined in Section 8 below) with First Charter
and/or the Bank.


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         2. COMPENSATION. For all services rendered by Executive during the
Employment Term (as defined in Section 3 below), First Charter shall compensate
Executive as follows:

                  a. BASE SALARY. Effective January 29, 1999, during the
Employment Term (as defined in Section 3 below), First Charter will pay
Executive a bi-monthly base salary as compensation for Executive's services
hereunder of $7,291.66, equivalent to $175,000.00 per year (the "Base Salary"),
payable on a regular basis in accordance with First Charter's standard payroll
procedures but not less than monthly, less applicable deductions required by
law. On at least an annual basis thereafter during the Employment Term (as
defined in Section 3 below), the Board will review Executive's performance and,
based upon the recommendations of the Compensation Committee, may make
adjustments to such Base Salary if, in its discretion, such adjustments are
warranted, with any such adjustments to be effective beginning January 1 of the
next following year.

                  b. BONUS. In addition to the Base Salary set forth above,
during the Employment Term (as set forth in Section 3 below) and as long as
Executive remains actively employed by First Charter, Executive may receive an
annual bonus from one or more arrangements including but not limited to the
First Charter Corporation 1999 Executive Incentive Plan (collectively, the
"Bonus"), the amount of which shall be determined in the sole discretion of the
Board. In making its determination of the amount of the Bonus, if any, to be
paid, the Board may take into account, among other things: (i) Executive's
qualifications and experience; (ii) the duties and responsibilities of
Executive; (iii) the services performed and the contributions of Executive to
the success of First Charter and/or the Bank; (iv) compensation patterns in
similar businesses for similar executives; (v) First Charter's financial
resources to pay the bonus; and (vi) such other factors as the Board shall deem
to be relevant.

                  c. EXECUTIVE PERQUISITES, BENEFITS AND OTHER COMPENSATION.
During the Employment Term (as defined in Section 3 below), Executive shall be
entitled to receive additional benefits and compensation from First Charter in
such form and to such extent as specified below:

                           i. Payment of all or a portion of premiums for
                  coverage for Executive and his dependent family members under
                  health, hospitalization, disability, dental, life and other
                  insurance plans that First Charter may have in effect from
                  time to time. Benefits provided to Executive under this
                  Section 2.c.i. will require Executive to pay the same
                  proportion of premiums for, and shall provide benefits at
                  least equal to, the benefits then provided to First Charter's
                  other executive employees.

                           ii. Reimbursement for all business travel and other
                  out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in the
                  performance of his services pursuant to this Agreement. All
                  reimbursable expenses shall be appropriately documented in
                  reasonable detail by Executive upon submission of any request
                  for reimbursement, and in a format and manner consistent with
                  First Charter's expense reporting policy.

                           iii. First Charter shall provide Executive with other
                  employee perquisites as may be available to or deemed
                  appropriate for Executive by the Board and participation in
                  all other company-wide employee benefits, including but not
                  limited to, any qualified and/or nonqualified retirements
                  plans sponsored by First Charter, as such are available from
                  time to time. Such current additional perquisites are listed
                  on Schedule A, which is attached hereto and incorporated
                  herein, and may be amended from time to time in the discretion
                  of the Board.

                           iv. Schedule B, which is attached hereto and
                  incorporated herein, lists those other supplemental benefits
                  in which Executive is currently entitled to participate, and
                  may be amended from time to time with the consent of the
                  parties.

         3. TERM OF AGREEMENT. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the
date hereof and continue for three (3) years (the "Employment Term"), and,
unless terminated sooner as hereafter provided in Section 4 below, and, until
Executive attains age sixty-two (62), shall be renewed thereafter for


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successive twelve (12) month periods on the same terms and conditions contained
herein in effect as of the time of renewal, unless either party gives notice of
intent to terminate the Agreement at least ninety (90) days prior to the
expiration of said term. Notwithstanding the forgoing, however, this Agreement
shall terminate when Executive attains age sixty-five (65).

         4. TERMINATION. In addition to the provisions set forth in Section 3
above, the Employment Term shall terminate immediately upon the occurrence of
any of the following events: (a) immediately upon the retirement or death of
Executive; (b) upon the end of the time period specified in the First Charter
Corporation Comprehensive Stock Option Plan following the Disability of
Executive (as defined below); (c) upon the effective date of Resignation by
Executive Without Good Reason (as defined below); (d) upon the effective date of
Resignation by Executive For Good Reason; (e) upon the 60th day following the
date the Board gives Executive notice of Termination Without Cause (as defined
below); or (f) upon the close of business on the date the Board gives Executive
notice of Termination for Cause (as defined below).

                  a. RETIREMENT. "Retirement by Executive" shall mean any
         voluntary retirement by Executive with the consent of the Board.

                  b. DISABILITY. "Disability" shall mean Executive is
         "disabled", as that term is defined in the First Charter Corporation
         Comprehensive Stock Option Plan, such that he is unable, with or
         without a reasonable accommodation, to perform the essential functions
         of his position with First Charter. Executive agrees to submit such
         medical evidence to First Charter regarding his disability as is
         reasonably requested by the Board.

                  c. RESIGNATION WITHOUT GOOD REASON. "Resignation Without Good
         Reason" shall mean any voluntary termination or resignation by
         Executive for any reason other than retirement or "Resignation for Good
         Reason". Executive is required to give at least 60 days advance written
         notice of Resignation Without Good Reason to the Board, and First
         Charter is entitled upon receiving such notice, in its discretion, to
         accept such resignation as effective on: (i) the resignation date
         proposed by Executive, or (ii) such other earlier date designated by
         First Charter. In addition, First Charter will be required to pay
         Executive his regular salary and benefits only through Executive's
         final resignation date as agreed to or revised by the Company,
         regardless of whether Executive is actually permitted to perform any
         services for the Company during that period.

                  d. RESIGNATION FOR GOOD REASON. "Resignation For Good Reason"
         shall mean any voluntary termination or resignation by Executive for:
         (i) a material reduction in Executive's position, duties,
         responsibilities or status, or a change in Executive's title resulting
         in a material reduction in his responsibilities or position with First
         Charter, in either case without Executive's consent, but excluding for
         this purpose any isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not
         taken in bad faith and which is remedied promptly by First Charter
         after receiving notice from Executive and further excluding any such
         reductions or changes made in good faith to conform with generally
         accepted industry standards for Executive's position; (ii) a reduction
         in the rate of Executive's Base Salary or a decrease in any Bonus to
         which Executive was entitled pursuant to the First Charter Corporation
         1999 Executive Incentive Plan or incentive plans at the end of the most
         recently concluded fiscal year, in either case without Executive's
         consent; provided, however, that a decrease in Executive's Bonus amount
         shall not constitute "Good Reason" and nothing herein shall be
         construed to guarantee such bonus awards if performance, either by
         First Charter or Executive, is below such targets as may reasonably and
         in good faith be set forth in the First Charter Corporation 1999
         Executive Incentive Plan or other incentive arrangements; or (iii) the
         relocation of Executive, without his consent, to a location outside a
         fifty (50) mile radius of Concord, North Carolina. Executive is
         required to give written notice of Resignation For Good Reason to the
         Board, and First Charter is entitled upon receiving such notice, in its
         discretion, to accept such resignation as effective on the resignation
         date proposed by Executive, or such other earlier date designated by
         First Charter. In addition, First Charter will be required to pay
         Executive his regular salary and benefits only through Executive's
         final resignation date as agreed to or revised by the Company,
         regardless of whether Executive is actually permitted to perform any
         services for the Company during that period.


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                  e. TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. "Termination Without Cause"
         shall mean any termination of the employment of Executive by First
         Charter for any reason other than termination due to the retirement or
         death of Executive, "Disability" or "Termination for Cause".

                  f. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. "Termination for Cause" shall mean
         termination of the employment of Executive by First Charter as the
         result of Executive's: (i) willful misconduct of a material nature in
         connection with the performance of his duties as an employee; (ii) use
         of alcohol or drugs that affects his ability to perform his assigned
         duties as an employee or Executive's violation of First Charter's drug
         and/or alcohol policies; (iii) conviction, guilty plea or plea of nolo
         contendere for any crime involving moral turpitude or for any felony;
         (iv) embezzlement or theft from First Charter, the Bank or any of their
         respective customers and employees; (v) gross inattention to or
         dereliction of duty; (vi) commission or omission of any act of fraud or
         dishonesty in connection with Executive's employment with First Charter
         or the Bank; (vii) breach of any fiduciary duty to First Charter or the
         Bank, including the duty of loyalty; or (viii) breach of any provision
         of this Agreement; or (ix) performance of any other willful act(s)
         which Executive knew or reasonably should have known would be
         materially detrimental to First Charter or the Bank.

         5. RIGHTS UPON TERMINATION. Following the termination of the Employment
Term for any reason, except for the payment of any earned but unpaid Base
Salary, if any, due at the time of termination of the Employment Term and
Executive's general right to elect certain coverage continuation under COBRA,
and except for any payments which may be due as set forth in this Section 5 and
Section 6 below, Executive shall not be entitled to receive any additional
compensation, wages, bonuses, incentive pay, commissions, severance pay,
consideration and/or benefits of any kind from First Charter and/or the Bank
hereunder upon the termination of the Employment Term, except that Executive
will not forfeit any vested stock options or vested 401(k) or pension benefits
with First Charter and the Bank, if any:

                  a. DEATH. If termination of the Employment Term occurs at any
         time due to the death of Executive, then Executive's personal
         representative shall be paid all earned but unpaid Base Salary and
         accrued Bonus (as those terms are described in Section 2) and an
         additional amount representing one (1) year's Base Salary, such amounts
         to be paid in the same manner as provided in Section 2. In addition,
         all awards, grants and options under any First Charter or Bank stock
         option or grant will be fully vested notwithstanding any other
         provision in such plan or grant.

                  b. DISABILITY. If termination of the Employment Term occurs at
         any time due to the Disability of Executive, then Executive shall be
         entitled to receive all earned but unpaid Base Salary and accrued Bonus
         (as those terms are described in Section 2) and an additional amount
         representing one (1) year's Base Salary, such amounts to be paid in the
         same manner as provided in Section 2, less any amounts which Executive
         receives from First Charter's long-term disability plan. In addition,
         all awards, grants and options under any First Charter or Bank stock
         option or grant will be fully vested notwithstanding any other
         provision in such plan or grant.

                  c. TERMINATION "FOR CAUSE" OR RESIGNATION "WITHOUT GOOD
         REASON". If termination of the Employment Term occurs at any time due
         to termination by First Charter "For Cause" or due to resignation by
         Executive "Without Good Reason", then Executive shall be entitled only
         to receive all earned but unpaid Base Salary, unreimbursed expenses
         and/or accrued, vested stock options and vested 401(k) or pension
         benefits through the effective date of the Termination "For Cause" or
         Resignation "Without Good Reason".

                  d. TERMINATION "WITHOUT CAUSE" OR RESIGNATION "FOR GOOD
         REASON". If termination of the Employment Term occurs at any time due
         to termination by First Charter "Without Cause" or due to resignation
         by Executive "For Good Reason", then Executive shall be entitled to (i)
         all accrued, unpaid Base Salary and unreimbursed expenses through the
         date of such termination; (ii) any prior year annual incentive bonus
         earned but not yet paid; (iii) continued payment of Executive's Base
         Salary for the greater of the remainder of the Employment Term or two
         (2) years; (iii) an annual bonus amount (calculated as the average of
         the three most recent Bonuses) for the greater of the remainder of the
         Employment Term or two (2) years; (iv) continuation of health and
         welfare benefit coverage (including coverage for Executive's


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         dependents to the extent such coverage is provided by First Charter for
         its employees generally) under such plans and programs to which an
         Executive was entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of
         the end of his employment for the greater of the remainder of the
         Employment Term or two (2) years, provided such continued participation
         is possible under the terms and provisions of such plans and programs;
         and (v) acceleration of vesting of all awards, grants, and options
         under any First Charter or Bank stock option plan or grant
         notwithstanding any other provision in such plan or grant.

                  e. RETIREMENT WITH THE CONSENT OF FIRST CHARTER. If Executive
         retires with the consent of First Charter, then Executive shall be
         entitled to receive all earned but unpaid Base Salary and accrued Bonus
         (as those terms are described in Section 2) and an additional amount
         representing one (1) year's Base Salary, such amounts to be paid in the
         same manner as provided in Section 2. In addition, all awards, grants
         and options under any First Charter or Bank stock option or grant will
         be fully vested notwithstanding any other provision in such plan or
         grant.

                  h.       DEDUCTIONS. All payments set forth in this Section 5
                           to Executive and/or his personal representative, if
                           any, shall be made subject to applicable withholdings
                           as required by law.


         6. TERMINATION FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN CONTROL.

                  a. The Parties agree that if, during the Employment Term, a
Change in Control (as defined in Section 6.a.ii. hereof) occurs and if, within
one (1) year following the Change in Control, the employment of Executive is
terminated by First Charter Without Cause (as defined in Section 4.e. hereof),
or by Executive for Good Reason (as defined in Section 4.d. hereof), Executive's
Compensation (as defined in Section 6.a.iii. below) shall continue to be paid in
monthly installments, subject to applicable withholdings, by First Charter for a
period of thirty-five (35) months following such termination of employment. In
lieu of receiving payment of Compensation (as defined in Section 6.a.iii below)
for such 35-month period in installments, Executive may elect, at any time prior
to the earlier to occur of (i) a Change in Control or (ii) an action by the
Board with respect to an event which would, upon consummation, result in a
Change in Control (which election shall be evidenced by notice filed with First
Charter), to be paid the present value of any such Compensation in a lump sum
within thirty (30) days of termination of Executive's employment under
circumstances entitling such Executive to Compensation hereunder. The
calculation of the amount due shall be made by the independent accounting firm
then performing First Charter's independent audit, and such calculation,
including but not limited to any discount factor used to determine present
value, shall be conclusive.

                           (i) GOOD REASON. For purposes of this Section 6,
                  termination by Executive for "Good Reason" shall mean those
                  reasons set forth as "Good Reason" in Section 4.d. of this
                  Agreement, except that the change in Executive's position,
                  duties, responsibilities, status, title, Base Salary or bonus
                  shall be measured for such matters as they were in effect
                  immediately preceding the Change in Control.

                           (ii) CHANGE IN CONTROL. For purposes of this Section
                  6, Change in Control" shall mean (A) the consummation of a
                  merger, consolidation, share exchange or similar transaction
                  of First Charter with any other corporation as a result of
                  which the holders of the voting capital stock of First Charter
                  as a group would receive less than 50% of the voting capital
                  stock of the surviving or resulting corporation; (B) the sale
                  or transfer (other than as security for obligations of First
                  Charter) of substantially all the assets of First Charter; (C)
                  in the absence of a prior expression of approval by the Board,
                  the acquisition of more than 20% of First Charter's voting
                  capital stock by any person within the meaning of Section
                  13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
                  (the "Exchange Act"), other than a person, or group including
                  a person, who beneficially owned, as of the date of this
                  Agreement, more than 5% of First Charter's securities; (D)


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                  during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at
                  the beginning of such period constitute the Board cease for
                  any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof unless
                  the election, or the nomination for election by First
                  Charter'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; or
                  (E) any other change in control of First Charter of a nature
                  that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e)
                  of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the
                  Exchange Act or the acquisition of control, within the meaning
                  of Section 2(a)(2) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
                  amended, or Section 602 of the Change in Bank Control Act of
                  1978, of First Charter by any person, company or other entity.

                           (iii) COMPENSATION. For purposes of this Section 6,
                  Executive's Compensation shall consist of the following: (A)
                  Executive's Base Salary in effect immediately preceding the
                  Change in Control, plus (B) an annual bonus equal to the
                  average bonus (calculated as a percentage of Base Salary,
                  without regard to vesting schedules or restrictions on the
                  bonus compensation and converting all post-employment payments
                  in stock and stock options to a cash present value) paid by
                  First Charter for each one-year performance period (often
                  referred to as the "annual incentive program") to Executive
                  for the three (3) most recent fiscal years ending prior to
                  such Change in Control pursuant to First Charter's incentive
                  and bonus plans or, if the relevant bonus program has not
                  existed for three (3) years preceding the Change of Control,
                  an amount equal to the estimated average bonus as calculated
                  by the independent accounting firm then performing First
                  Charter's independent audit, which calculation shall be
                  conclusive.

                  b. Upon termination of Executive's employment entitling
Executive to Compensation set forth in Section 6.a. above, First Charter shall
maintain in full force and effect for the continued benefit of Executive for
such thirty-five-month period health insurance (including coverage for
Executive's dependents to the extent dependent coverage is provided by First
Charter for its employees generally) under such plans and programs in which
Executive was entitled to participate immediately prior to the date of such
termination of employment, provided that Executive's continued participation is
possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and programs. In
the event that participation in any such plan or program is barred, First
Charter shall arrange to provide Executive with health insurance benefits for
such thirty-five month period substantially similar to those which Executive
would otherwise have been entitled to receive under such plans and programs from
which his continued participation is barred. However, in no event will Executive
receive from First Charter the health insurance contemplated by this Section
6.b. if Executive receives comparable insurance from any other source.

                  c. Upon termination of Executive's employment entitling
Executive to Compensation as set forth in Section 6.a. above, Executive will
become immediately vested in any and all stock options and shares of restricted
stock previously granted to him by First Charter notwithstanding any provision
to the contrary of any plan under which the options or restricted stock are
granted. Any accrued but ungranted stock options or restricted stock shall also
be fully vested upon grant to Executive. Executive may exercise such options
only at the times and in the method described in such options. All restrictions
on shares of First Charter's stock granted under any plan shall lapse upon a
Change of Control. First Charter will amend such options or plans in any manner
necessary to facilitate the provisions of this Section 6.c.

                  d. It is the intention of First Charter and Executive that no
portion of the payment made under this Agreement, or payments to or for
Executive under any other agreement or plan, be deemed to be an excess parachute
payment as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")
section 280G or any successor provision. First Charter and Executive agree that
the present value of any payment hereunder and any other payment to or for the
benefit of Executive in the nature of compensation, receipt of which is
contingent on a Change in Control of First Charter, and to which Code section
280G or any successor provision thereto applies, shall not exceed an amount
equal to one dollar less than the maximum amount that Executive may receive
without becoming subject to the tax imposed by Code section 4999 or any
successor provision or which First Charter may pay without loss of deduction
under Code section 280G or any successor provisions. Present value for purposes
of this Agreement shall be calculated in accordance with Code section 1274(b)(2)
or any successor provision. In the event that the


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provisions of Code sections 280G and 4999 or any successor provisions are
repealed without succession, this Section 6.d. shall be of no further force or
effect.

                  e. Except as elected by Executive with the prior consent of
First Charter, all payments provided for under this Section 6 shall be paid in
cash (including the cash values of stock options or restricted stock, if any)
from the general funds of First Charter, and no special or separate fund shall
be established, and no other segregation of assets shall be made to assure
payment, except as provided to the contrary in funded benefits plans. Executive
shall have no right, title or interest whatsoever in or to any investments that
First Charter may make to aid First Charter in meeting its obligations under
this Section 6. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken pursuant to the
provisions hereof, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or
a fiduciary relationship between First Charter and Executive or any other
person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from
First Charter hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of an
unsecured creditor of First Charter.

                  f. All payments set forth in this Section 6 to Executive, if
any, shall be made subject to applicable withholdings as required by law.

         7. COVENANT NOT TO DISCLOSE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

                  a. Executive understands that his position with First Charter
is one of trust and confidence because of Executive's access to trade secrets
and confidential and proprietary business information. Executive pledges his
best efforts and utmost diligence to protect and keep confidential the trade
secrets and confidential or proprietary business information of First Charter.

                  b. Unless required by First Charter in connection with his
employment or with First Charter's express written consent, Executive agrees
that he will not, either during his employment or afterwards, directly or
indirectly, use, misappropriate, disclose or aid anyone else in disclosing to
any third party for Executive's own benefit or the benefit of another all or any
part of any of First Charter's or its subsidiaries' trade secrets or
confidential or proprietary information, whether or not the information is
acquired, learned, or developed by Executive alone or in conjunction with
others. Executive makes the same pledge with regard to the confidential
information of First Charter's and its subsidiaries' customers, contractors, or
others with whom First Charter or its subsidiaries have a business relationship.

                  c. Executive understands that trade secrets and confidential
or proprietary information, for purposes of this Agreement, shall include, but
not be limited to, any and all versions of First Charter's or its subsidiaries'
computer software, hardware, and documentation; all methods, processes,
techniques, practices, product designs, pricing information, billing histories,
customer requirements, customer lists, account data, loan records, employee
lists and salary/commission information, personnel matters, financial data,
operating results, plans, contractual relationships, and projections for
business opportunities for new or developing business of First Charter or its
subsidiaries; and all other confidential or proprietary information, patents,
ideas, know-how and trade secrets which are in the possession of First Charter
or its subsidiaries, no matter what the source, including any such information
that First Charter or its subsidiaries obtain from a customer, contractor or
another party or entity and that First Charter treats or designates as
confidential or proprietary information, whether or not such information is
owned or was developed by First Charter.

                  d. Executive also agrees that all notes, records (including
all computer and electronic records), software, drawings, handbooks, manuals,
policies, contracts, memoranda, sales files, customer lists, employee lists or
other documents that are made or compiled by Executive, or which were available
to Executive while he was employed at First Charter, in whatever form, including
but not limited to all such documents and data concerning any processes,
inventions, services or products used or developed by Executive during his
employment, shall be the property of First Charter. Executive further agrees to
deliver and make available all such documents and data to First Charter,
regardless of how stored or maintained and including all originals, copies and
compilations thereof, upon the separation of his employment, for any reason, or
at any other time at First Charter's request.


<PAGE>   9

                  e. Executive understands that First Charter expects him to
respect any trade secrets of confidential information of any of Executive's
former employers, business associates, or other business relationships.
Executive also agrees to respect First Charter's express direction to Executive
not to disclose to First Charter, its officers, or any of its employees any such
information so long as it remains confidential.

         8. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE. For and in consideration of this Agreement,
the change in control protection contained herein and Executive's continued
employment with First Charter, Executive agrees that, unless specifically
authorized by First Charter in writing, Executive will not for a period of two
(2) years after his employment with First Charter has terminated or ended
(whatever the reason for the end of the employment relationship):

                  a. Engage in any "Competitive Activity" (as defined below)
within the "Restricted Territory" (as defined below);

                  b. Serve as an employee, director, owner, partner, contractor,
consultant or agent of, or own any interest in (except for beneficially owning
the stock or options to acquire stock totaling less than 5% of the outstanding
shares in a "public" competitor), any person, firm or corporation that engages
in "Competitive Activity" within the "Restricted Territory"; or

                  c. Engage in any "Competitive Activity" with, for or towards
or divert, attempt to divert or direct others to divert any business of First
Charter from an existing First Charter customer, a joint venture or other
business partner of First Charter (hereinafter referred to as an "affiliate"),
or from a potential customer identified through leads or relationships developed
during the last two (2) years of Executive's employment with First Charter,
within the "Restricted Territory".

        Furthermore, Executive will not during his employment with First Charter
and for a period of three (3) years after his employment with First Charter has
terminated or ended (whatever the reason for the end of the employment
relationship) solicit or hire for employment or as an independent contractor any
employee of First Charter, the Bank or any of First Charter's affiliates, or
solicit, assist, induce, recruit, or assist or induce anyone else to recruit, or
cause another person in the employ of First Charter, the Bank or any of First
Charter's affiliates to leave his employment with First Charter, the Bank or
First Charter's affiliate for the purpose of joining, associating, or becoming
employed with any business or activity with which Executive is or expects to be
directly or indirectly associated or employed.

         "Competitive Activity" means: (1) the business activities engaged in by
First Charter during Executive's employment with First Charter, including the
sales, marketing, distribution and provision of banking, financial and insurance
services or other products or services of the type of which Executive was
involved during his employment with First Charter; and/or (2) the performance of
any other business activities competitive with First Charter and/or the Bank for
or on behalf of any financial or insurance services entity.

        "Restricted Territory" means: (1) the geographic area encompassing a
fifty (50) mile radius of any financial center operated by First Charter or the
Bank upon the end of Executive's employment with First Charter; (2) the
geographic area encompassing a fifty (50) mile radius of Concord, North
Carolina; and/or (2) any Metropolitan Statistical Area (as defined by the United
States Department of Commerce) from which First Charter generated at least two
percent (2%) of its gross annual revenue during the last two calendar years
before the end of Executive's employment with First Charter.

                  Executive further agrees that except with the express written
consent of the Board, Executive will not engage in any Competitive Activity
individually or with any entity or individual other than First Charter, the
Board or its subsidiaries during the Employment Term.

         9. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BY EXECUTIVE.

                  a. Executive acknowledges that the restrictions placed upon
him by Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement are reasonable given the nature of
Executive's position with First Charter, the area in which First Charter markets
its products and services, and the consideration provided by First Charter to


<PAGE>   10

Executive pursuant to this Agreement. Specifically, Executive acknowledges that
the length of the Covenant Not to Compete in Section 8 is reasonable and that
the definitions of "Competitive Activity" and "Restricted Territory" are
reasonable.

                  b. Executive acknowledges that all of the provisions of the
         Agreement are fair and necessary to protect the interests of First
         Charter. Accordingly, Executive agrees not to contest the validity or
         enforceability of Sections 7 or 8 hereof.

                  c. Executive understands that every provision of this
Agreement is severable from each other provision of this Agreement. Therefore,
if any provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to all provisions
of Sections 7 and 8, is held invalid or unenforceable, every other provision of
this Agreement will continue to be fully valid and enforceable. In the event
that any provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable, Executive and First Charter agree that
such provision shall be enforced to the extent reasonable under the
circumstances and that all other provisions shall be enforceable to the fullest
extent permissible by law. Executive and First Charter further agree that, if
any court makes such a determination, such court shall have the power to reduce
the duration, scope and/or area of such provisions and/or delete specific words
and phrases by "blue penciling" and, in its reduced or blue penciled form, such
provisions shall then be enforceable as allowed by law.

                  d. Executive understands that his obligations under Sections 7
         and 8 of this Agreement will continue whether or not his employment
         with First Charter is terminated voluntarily or involuntarily, or with
         or without Cause or Good Reason.

         10. BREACH BY EXECUTIVE. Executive agrees that in the event of any
breach or threatened breach of the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof by
Executive, First Charter's remedies at law would be inadequate, and First
Charter shall be entitled to an injunction (without any bond or other security
being required), restraining such breach, and costs and attorneys' fees relating
to any such proceeding or any other legal action to enforce the provisions of
this Agreement, but nothing herein shall be construed to preclude First Charter
from pursuing any other remedies at law or in equity available to it for any
such breach or threatened breach. Moreover, Executive also agrees that if
Executive breaches any of Sections 7 or 8 above, Executive shall be required to
refund to First Charter and First Charter shall be entitled to recover of
Executive 90% of the amount already paid under Sections 5.b., 5.d., 5.e. or 6.a.
above to Executive by First Charter at the time of the breach, and Executive
shall forfeit at the time of the breach the right to any additional payments or
benefits under this Agreement, except that if the breach occurs before the
payments set forth in Section Sections 5.b., 5.d., 5.e. or 6.a. above are made,
Executive shall be entitled to receive the first monthly payment and nothing
more. In such case, Executive and First Charter agree that the confidential
information and non-compete obligations contained in this Agreement shall remain
valid and enforceable based upon the consideration actually paid.

         11. ASSIGNMENT AND BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding
upon, and inure to the benefit of, Executive and First Charter and the Bank and
their respective permitted successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor
any right or interest hereunder shall be assignable by Executive, his
beneficiaries, or legal representatives without the First Charter's prior
written consent. First Charter will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) to
all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of First Charter, by
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Executive, to expressly assume
and agree to perform all of First Charter's obligations under this Agreement in
the same manner and to the same extent that First Charter would be required to
perform it if no such succession had taken place, and to perform all obligations
to Executive as provided in Section 6. Failure of First Charter to obtain such
agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of
this Agreement and shall entitle Executive to compensation from First Charter in
the same amount and on the same terms as he would be entitled to hereunder if he
terminated his employment for Good Reason, except that for purposes of
implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such succession becomes
effective shall be deemed the date Executive's employment was terminated. As
used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean First Charter as defined herein and
any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid that executes and
delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 11 or that otherwise becomes
bound by the all terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.


<PAGE>   11

         12. COMPLETE AGREEMENT. This Agreement replaces any previous agreement
relating to the same or similar subject matter which the Executive and First
Charter may have entered into with respect to Executive's employment by First
Charter, including specifically the Change in Control agreement entered into
between Executive and First Charter dated March 17, 1999. Executive has no oral
representations, understandings or agreements with First Charter or any of its
officers, directors or representatives covering the same subject matter as this
Agreement. This written Agreement is the final, complete and exclusive statement
and expression of the agreement between First Charter and Executive and of all
the terms of this Agreement, and it cannot be varied, contradicted or
supplemented by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous oral or written
agreements. This written Agreement may not be later modified except by a further
writing signed by a duly authorized officer of First Charter and Executive, and
no term of this Agreement may be waived except by writing signed by the party
waiving the benefit of such term.

         13. NOTICE. Whenever any notice is required hereunder, it shall be
given in writing addressed as follows:

         To First Charter:          First Charter National Bank
                                            Executive Offices
                                            845 Church Street Commons, Suite 307
                                            Concord, North Carolina 28206

         To Executive:                      Robert E. James
                                            2523 Monet Terrace
                                            Charlotte, North Carolina 28226

         Notice shall be deemed given and effective on the earlier of three (3)
days after the deposit in the U.S. mail of a writing addressed as above and sent
first class mail, certified, return receipt requested, or when actually
received. Either party may change the address for notice by notifying the other
party of such change in accordance with this Section 13.


       14. HEADINGS. The section headings herein are for reference purposes only
       and are not intended in any way to describe, interpret, define or limit
       the extent or intent of the Agreement or of any part hereof.

       15. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall in all respects be construed
       according to the laws of the State of North Carolina.


       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
       the day and year first above written.


                                  FIRST CHARTER CORPORATION

                                  By:    /s/ Robert E. James
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Robert E. James
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                  Title: Group Executive Vice President - Sales
                                         ---------------------------------------