Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.7

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

================================================================================

                              GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

                                    Between

                         COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES, INC.
                                (as Guarantor)

                           WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
                                 (as Trustee)

                                  Dated as of

                           __________________, 2000

================================================================================
<PAGE>

                            CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

Section of Trust Indenture                             Section of
Act of 1939, as amended                            Guarantee Agreement
-----------------------                            -------------------

310(a) .........................................           4.01(a)
310(b) .........................................         4.01(c), 208
310(c) .........................................         Inapplicable
311(a) .........................................           2.02(b)
311(b) .........................................           2.02(b)
311(c) .........................................         Inapplicable
312(a) .........................................           2.02(a)
312(b) .........................................           2.02(b)
313(a) .........................................             2.03
313(b) .........................................             2.03
313(c) .........................................             2.03
313(d) .........................................             2.03
314(a) .........................................             2.04
314(b) .........................................         Inapplicable
314(c) .........................................             2.05
314(d) .........................................         Inapplicable
314(e) .........................................       1.01, 2.05, 3.02
314(f) .........................................          2.01, 3.02
315(a) .........................................           3.01 (d)
315(b) .........................................             2.07
315(c) .........................................           3.01 (c)
315(d) .........................................           3.01(d)
316(a) .........................................       1.01, 2.06,5.04
316(b) .........................................          5.03, 5.04
315(c) .........................................             8.02
317(a) .........................................         Inapplicable
317(b) .........................................         Inapplicable
318(a) .........................................           2.01(b)

---------------------
* This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Guarantee Agreement
and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               Page
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<S>                                                                                                            <C>
ARTICLE I  Definitions...................................................................................         1

   SECTION 1.01.  Definitions............................................................................         1

ARTICLE II  Trust Indenture Act..........................................................................         4

   SECTION 2.01.  Trust Indenture Act; Application.......................................................         4
   SECTION 2.02.  List of Holders........................................................................         4
   SECTION 2.03.  Reports by the Guarantee Trustee.......................................................         5
   SECTION 2.04.  Periodic Reports to the Guarantee Trustee..............................................         5
   SECTION 2.05.  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.......................................         5
   SECTION 2.06.  Events of Default; Waiver..............................................................         5
   SECTION 2.07.  Event of Default; Notice...............................................................         5
   SECTION 2.08.  Conflicting Interests..................................................................         5

ARTICLE III  Powers, Duties and Rights of the Guarantee Trustee..........................................         6

   SECTION 3.01.  Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.............................................         6
   SECTION 3.02.  Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee....................................................         7
   SECTION 3.03.  Indemnity..............................................................................         9
   SECTION 3.04.  Expenses...............................................................................         9

ARTICLE IV  Guarantee Trustee............................................................................         9

   SECTION 4.01.  Guarantee Trustee: Eligibility.........................................................         9
   SECTION 4.02.  Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee Trustee..........................        10

ARTICLE V  Guarantee.....................................................................................        10

   SECTION 5.01.  Guarantee..............................................................................        10
   SECTION 5.02.  Waiver of Notice and Demand............................................................        10
   SECTION 5.03.  Obligations Not Affected...............................................................        10
   SECTION 5.04.  Rights of Holders......................................................................        11
   SECTION 5.05.  Guarantee of Payment...................................................................        12
   SECTION 5.06.  Subrogation............................................................................        12
   SECTION 5.07.  Independent Obligations................................................................        12

ARTICLE VI  Covenants and Subordination..................................................................        12

   SECTION 6.01.  Subordination..........................................................................        12
   SECTION 6.02.  Pari Passu Guaranty....................................................................        12

ARTICLE VII  Termination.................................................................................        13

   SECTION 7.01.  Termination............................................................................        13

ARTICLE VIII  Miscellaneous..............................................................................        13

   SECTION 8.01.  Successors and Assigns.................................................................        13
</TABLE>

                                       i
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<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                            <C>
   SECTION 8.02.  Amendments.............................................................................        13
   SECTION 8.03.  Notices................................................................................        13
   SECTION 8.04.  Benefit................................................................................        14
   SECTION 8.05.  Interpretation.........................................................................        14
   SECTION 8.06.  Governing Law..........................................................................        15
</TABLE>

                                       ii
<PAGE>

          GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this "Guarantee Agreement"), dated as of
_____________, 2000, executed and delivered by COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES, INC.,
bank holding company (the "Guarantor") having its principal office at 403 Boush
Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510, and WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation (the "Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as
defined herein) from time to time of the Trust Securities (as defined herein) of
COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES CAPITAL TRUST I, a Delaware statutory business trust
(the "Issuer").

         WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration of Trust"), dated as of ____________, 2000, among the Trustees
named therein, the Guarantor, as Depositor, and the Holders from time to time of
undivided beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer
is issuing $8,050,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of its Capital Trust
Securities, Liquidation Amount $25.00 per security (the "Capital Securities"),
and $_____________ aggregate Liquidation Amount of its Common Securities,
Liquidation Amount $25.00 per security (the "Common Securities" and collectively
with the Capital Securities, the "Trust Securities"), representing undivided
beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the Issuer and having the terms
set forth in the Declaration of Trust;

         WHEREAS, the Trust Securities will be issued by the Issuer and the
proceeds thereof will be used by the Issuer to purchase the Junior Subordinated
Debt Securities due ______________ (as defined in the Declaration of Trust) (the
"Junior Subordinated Debt Securities") of the Guarantor, which will be held by
Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee under the Declaration of Trust, as
trust assets; and

         WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase Trust Securities, the
Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set
forth herein, to pay to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein)
and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase of Trust Securities by
each Holder, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the
Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for the
benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Trust Securities.

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  Definitions
                                  -----------

         SECTION 1.01. Definitions. As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the
                       -----------
terms set forth below shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the
following meanings. Capitalized or otherwise defined terms used but not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Declaration of Trust as in effect on the date hereof.

         "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person; provided, however, that an Affiliate of the
Guarantor shall not be deemed to include the

                                       1
<PAGE>

Issuer. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to
any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of
such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

         "Capital Securities" shall have the meaning specified in the first
recital of this Guarantee Agreement.

         "Common Securities" shall have the meaning specified in the first
recital of this Guarantee Agreement.

         "Declaration of Trust" shall have the meaning specified in he first
recital of this Guarantee Agreement.

         "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its
payment or other obligations under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however,
                                                             --------  -------
that, except with respect to a default in payment of any Guarantee Payments, the
Guarantor shall have received notice of default and shall not have cured such
default within 60 days after receipt of such notice; provided, further, that no
                                                     -----------------
Event of Default shall occur unless an Event of Default (as defined in the
Indenture or the Declaration of Trust) shall have occurred and be continuing.

         "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions,
without duplication, with respect to the Trust Securities, to the extent not
paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid
Distributions required to he paid on the Trust Securities, to the extent that
the Issuer shall have funds on hand available therefor at such time, (ii) the
redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of
redemption (the "Redemption Price"), with respect to the Trust Securities called
for redemption by the Issuer to the extent that the Issuer shall have funds on
hand available therefor at such time, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary
termination, winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer, unless Junior Subordinated
Debt Securities are distributed to the Holders or all of the Capital Securities
are redeemed, the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount of $25
per Trust Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Trust Securities
to the date of payment to the extent that the Issuer shall have funds on hand
available to make such payment at such time and (b) the amount of assets of the
Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the
Issuer after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as required
by applicable law (in either case, the "Liquidation Distribution"). If an Event
of Default under the Declaration of Trust has occurred and is continuing, no
Guarantee Payments with respect to the Common Securities or any guarantee
payment under any Other Guarantees (as defined in the Indenture) with respect to
Common Securities of any other Commonwealth Bankshares Capital Trust (as defined
in the Indenture), if any, shall be made until the Holders of Capital Securities
shall be paid in full the Guarantee Payments to which they are entitled under
this Guarantee Agreement. Subordination of Guarantee Payments on the Common
Securities following such an Event of Default under the Declaration of Trust
shall be analogous to the subordination of the Common Securities provided for in
Section 4.03 of the Declaration of Trust.

                                       2
<PAGE>

         "Guarantee Trustee" means Wilmington Trust Company, until a Successor
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant
to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement and thereafter means each such
Successor Guarantee.

         "Guarantor" shall have the meaning specified in the first recital of
this Guarantee Agreement.

         "Holder" means a person in whose name a Trust Security or Trust
Securities is registered on the books and records of the Issuer; provided,
                                                                 ---------
however, that in determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of
-------
Trust Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder,
"Holder" shall not include the Guarantor, the Guarantee Trustee, or any
Affiliate of the Guarantor or the Guarantee Trustee.

         "Indenture" means the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of
____________, 2000, as supplemented and amended between the Guarantor and
Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, relating to the issuance of the Junior
Subordinated Debt Securities.

         "Issuer" shall have the meaning specified in the first recital of this
Guarantee Agreement.

         "List of Holders" has the meaning specified in Section 2.02(a).

         "Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Securities" means, except as
 provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by the Holder(s), voting separately
 as a class, of more than 50% of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of all then
 Outstanding Capital Securities.

         "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
 certificate signed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, President or a
 Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Associate Treasurer, an Assistant
 Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such
 Person, and delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any Officers' Certificate
 delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for
 in this Guarantee Agreement shall include:

               (a)  a statement that each officer signing the Officers'
         Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions
         relating thereto;

               (b)  a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination
         or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers'
         Certificate;

               (c)  a statement that each officer has made such examination or
         investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable
         such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such
         covenant or condition has been complied with; and

               (d)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each officer,
         such condition or covenant has been complied with.

                                       3
<PAGE>

         "Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Guarantee Trustee
means any officer assigned to the Corporate Office, including any managing
director, vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer,
assistant treasurer, assistant secretary or any other officer of the Guarantee
Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of
the above designated officers and having direct responsibility for the
administration of this Guarantee Agreement, and also, with respect to a
particular matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of
such officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

         "Senior Debt" shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture.

         "Successor Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Guarantee Trustee
possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.01.

         "Trust Indenture Act" has the meaning specified in Section 1.01 of the
Indenture.

         "Trust Securities" shall have the meaning specified in the first
recital of this Guarantee Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE II

                              Trust Indenture Act
                             --------------------

         SECTION  2.01. Trust Indenture Act; Application. (a) This Guarantee
                        --------------------------------
Agreement will not be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act except upon the
effectiveness of a registration statement with respect to this Guarantee
Agreement.

               (b) Upon qualification under the Trust Indenture Act as
contemplated in clause (a) above, if and to the extent that any provision of
this Guarantee Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed
by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed
duties shall control.

         SECTION 2.02. List of Holders. (a) The Guarantor shall furnish or cause
                       ---------------
to be furnished to the Guarantee Trustee semiannually, not more than 15 days
after January 15 and July 15 of each year, a list, in such form as the Guarantee
Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the holders ("List
of Holders") as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the delivery thereof,
and (ii) at such other times as Guarantee Trustee may request in writing, within
30 days after the receipt by the Guarantor of any such request, a List of
Holders as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is
furnished, in each case to the extent such information is in the possession or
control of the Guarantor and is not identical to a previously supplied list of
Holders or has not otherwise been received by the Guarantee Trustee in its
capacity as such. The Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders
previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.

               (b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations
under Section 311(a), Section 311 (b) and Section 312 (b) of the Trust Indenture
Act.

                                       4
<PAGE>

          SECTION 2.03. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee. Not later than the
                        --------------------------------
last calendar day in August of each calendar year, commencing with the last
calendar day in August, 2001, the Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders
such reports, if any, as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act
in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture
Act. The Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section
313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

         SECTION 2.04. Periodic Reports to the Guarantee Trustee. The Guarantor
                       -----------------------------------------
shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee, the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the Holders such documents, reports and information, if any, as required by
Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance certificate required
by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, in the form, in the manner and at the
times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.

          SECTION 2.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. The
                        ------------------------------------------------
Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance
with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Guarantee Agreement
that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314 (c) of the Trust
Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by any officer
pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers'
Certificate.

          SECTION 2.06. Events of Default; Waiver. The Holders of a Majority in
                        -------------------------
Liquidation Amount of the Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders,
waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such
Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising
therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent therefrom.

          SECTION 2.07. Event of Default; Notice. (a) The Guarantee Trustee
                        ------------------------
shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by
mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders, notices of all Events of
Default known to the Guarantee Trustee, unless such Events of Default have been
cured before the giving of such notice; provided that, except in the case of a
                                        --------
default in the payment of a Guarantee Payment, the Guarantee Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Board of Directors,
the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or a Responsible
Officer in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the
interests of the Holders

               (b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge
of any Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer charged with the
administration of the Declaration of Trust shall have received written notice of
such Event of Default.

         SECTION 2.08. Conflicting Interests. The Declaration of Trust shall be
                       ---------------------
deemed to be specifically described in this Guarantee Agreement for the purposes
of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE III

              Powers, Duties and Rights of the Guarantee Trustee
              --------------------------------------------------

         SECTION 3.01. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee. (a) This
                       ------------------------------------------
Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of
the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Guarantee
Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising his or her rights pursuant to
Section 5.04(iv) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such
Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Guarantee
Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall
automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, upon acceptance by such
Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment hereunder, and such vesting and
cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have
been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor
Guarantee Trustee.

               (b) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of the
Holders.

               (c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of
Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred,
shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in
this Guarantee Agreement, and no implied covenants shall be read into this
Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default
has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.06), the
Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by
this Guarantee Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in its
exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

               (d) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be construed
to relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action,
its own negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, except that:

               (i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the
     curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

                   (A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee shall
               be determined solely by the express provisions of this Guarantee
               Agreement, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except
               for the performance of such duties and obligations as are
               specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement; and

                   (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Guarantee
               Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the
               truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions
               expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to
               the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this
               Guarantee Agreement; but in the case of any such certificates or
               opinions that by any provision hereof or of the Trust Indenture
               Act are specifically required to be furnished to the Guarantee
               Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to

                                       6
<PAGE>

               examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the
               requirements of this Guarantee Agreement;

               (ii)  the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
     judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee
     Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee was negligent
     in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

               (iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to
     any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance
     with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in
     Liquidation Amount of the Securities relating to the time, method and place
     of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee
     Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee
     Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and

               (iv)  no provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall require the
     Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
     personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in
     the exercise of any of its rights or powers if the Guarantee Trustee shall
     have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or
     liability is not assured to it under the terms of this Guarantee Agreement
     or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not
     reasonably assured it.

         SECTION 3.02. Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee. (a) Subject to the
                       -----------------------------------
provisions of Section 3.01:

               (i)   The Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be
     fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution,
     certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
     direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
     indebtedness or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be
     genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or
     parties.

               (ii)  Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this
     Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers'
     Certificate unless otherwise prescribed herein.

               (iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee
     Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be
     proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting to take any
     action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein
     specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part,
     request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon
     receipt of such request from the Guarantee Trustee, shall be promptly
     delivered by the Guarantor.

               (iv)  The Guarantee Trustee may consult with legal counsel, and
     the advice or written opinion of such legal counsel with respect to legal
     matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect
     of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in
     good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.

                                       7
<PAGE>

     Such legal counsel may be legal counsel to the Guarantor or any of its
     Affiliates and may be one of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall
     have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the
     administration of this Guarantee Agreement from any court of competent
     jurisdiction.

               (v)    The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to
     exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee
     Agreement at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder
     shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity
     reasonably satisfactory to it, against the costs, expenses (including
     attorneys' fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be incurred by it
     in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable
     advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee; provided, that
     nothing contained in this Section 3.02(a)(v) shall be taken to relieve the
     Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its
     obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee
     Agreement.

               (vi)   The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any
     investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
     certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
     direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
     indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its
     discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts
     or matters as it may see fit.

               (vii)  The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or
     powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or
     through its agents or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be
     responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent
     or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

               (viii) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee Agreement
     the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with
     respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action
     hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request instructions from the
     Holders, (B) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such
     other action until such instructions are received and (C) shall be fully
     protected in acting m accordance with such instructions.

               (ix)   the Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or
     powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or
     through agents or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be
     responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or
     attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

               (b)    No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed
to impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or
acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it
in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Guarantee
Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law,
to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee
shall be construed to be a duty to act in accordance with such power and
authority.

                                       8
<PAGE>

         SECTION 3.03. Indemnity. The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the
                       ---------
Guarantee Trustee, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or
expense including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined
by the income of the Guarantee Trustee) incurred without negligence or bad faith
on the part of the Guarantee Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the
acceptance or administration of this Guarantee Agreement, including the costs
and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection
with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The
Guarantee Trustee will not claim or exact any lien or charge on any Guarantee
Payments as a result of any amount due to it under this Guarantee Agreement.
This indemnity shall survive the termination of this Guarantee Agreement or the
resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee.

         SECTION 3.04. Expenses. The Guarantor, as obligor on the Junior
                       --------
Subordinated Debt Securities, shall from time to time reimburse the Guarantee
Trustee for such expenses and costs incurred in connection with the performance
of its duties hereunder as shall be agreed to in writing from time to time by
the Guarantor and the Guarantee Trustee:

                                  ARTICLE IV

                               Guarantee Trustee
                               -----------------

         SECTION 4.01. Guarantee Trustee: Eligibility. (a) There shall at all
                       ------------------------------
times be a Guarantee Trustee that shall:

               (i)  not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and

               (ii) be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture
         Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least
         $50,000,000, and shall be a corporation meeting the requirements of
         Section 310(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. If such corporation
         publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to
         the requirements of the supervising or examining authority, then, for
         the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust
         Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation
         shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in
         its most recent report of condition so published.

               (b)  If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be
eligible to so act under Section 4.10(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall
immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.02(c).

               (c)  If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any
 "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust
 Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply
 with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

                                       9
<PAGE>

         SECTION  4.02. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee
                        -----------------------------------------------------
Trustee. (a) Subject to Section 4.02(b), in the absence of the existence of an
-------
Event of Default, the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without
cause at any time by the Guarantor.

               (b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed until a Successor
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by
written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to
the Guarantor.

               (c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed hereunder shall hold office
until a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its
removal or resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without
need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by
the Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall
not take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has
accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor
Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee
Trustee.

               (d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed
and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.02 within 30 days after
delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning
Guarantee Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Guarantor, any court of
competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such
court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                   Guarantee
                                   ---------

         SECTION 5.01. Guarantee. The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally
                       ---------
agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication
of amounts theretofore paid by or on behalf of the Issuer), as and when due,
regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the issuer may
have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be
satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the
Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders. The
Guarantor shall give written notice to the Guarantee Trustee as promptly as
practicable in the event it makes any direct payment hereunder.

         SECTION 5.02. Waiver of Notice and Demand. The Guarantor hereby waives
                       ---------------------------
notice of acceptance of the Guarantee Agreement and of any liability to which it
applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a
proceeding first against the Guarantee Trustee, Issuer or any other Person
before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice
of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.

         SECTION 5.03. Obligations Not Affected. The obligations, covenants,
                       ------------------------
agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement shall in
no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of
any of the following:

                                       10
<PAGE>

               (a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of
     the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied
     agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Trust Securities to
     be performed or observed by the Issuer;

               (b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or
     any portion of the Distributions (other than any extension of time for
     payment of Distributions that results from the extension of any interest
     payment period on the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities as so provided in
     the Indenture), Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other
     sums payable under the terms of the Trust Securities or the extension of
     time for the performance of any other obligation arising under, out of or
     in connection with the Trust Securities;

               (c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part
     of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power
     or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Trust
     Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or
     extension of any kind;

               (d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale
     of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the
     benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or
     readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer
     or any of the assets of the Issuer;

               (e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Trust
     Securities;

               (f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed
     hereby or hereby incurred; or

               (g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise
     constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it
     being the intent of this Section 5.03 that the obligations of the Guarantor
     hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all
     circumstances.

               There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or
obtain the consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.

         SECTION 5.04. Rights of Holders. The Guarantor expressly acknowledges
                       -----------------
that: (i) this Guarantee Agreement will be deposited with the Guarantee Trustee
to be held for the benefit of the Holders; (ii) the Guarantee Trustee has the
right to enforce this Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Holders; (iii) the
Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities have right
to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee Agreement or
exercising any trust or Power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this
Guarantee Agreement; and (iv) any Holder may institute a legal proceeding
directly, against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Guarantee
Agreement, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer or
any other Person.

                                       11
<PAGE>

         SECTION 5.05. Guarantee of Payment. This Guarantee Agreement creates a
                       --------------------
guarantee of payment and not of collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not be
discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full (without
duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer) or upon distribution of
Junior Subordinated Debt Securities to Holders as provided in the Declaration of
Trust.

         SECTION 5.06. Subrogation. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if
                       -----------
any) rights of the Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to
the Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement and shall have the
right to waive payment by the Issuer pursuant to Section 5.01; provided,
                                                               --------
however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by
-------
mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights that
it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee Agreement,
if at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this
Guarantee Agreement. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation
of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for
the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

         SECTION 5.07. Independent Obligations. The Guarantor acknowledges that
                       -----------------------
its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with
respect to the Trust Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as
principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the
terms of this Guarantee Agreement notwithstanding the occurrence of any event
referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.03.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                          Covenants and Subordination
                          ---------------------------

         SECTION 6.01. Subordination. This Guarantee Agreement will constitute
                       -------------
an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all Senior Debt of the Guarantor, to the same extent and in
the same manner that the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities are subordinated to
Senior Debt pursuant to the Indenture, it being understood that the terms of
Article XIII of the Indenture shall apply to the obligations of the Guarantor
under this Guarantee Agreement as if (x) such Article XIII were set forth herein
in full and (y) such obligations were substituted for the term "Securities"
appearing in such Article XIII.

         SECTION 6.02. Pari Passu Guaranty. This Guarantee Agreement shall rank
                       -------------------
pari passu with any similar guarantee agreements issued by the Guarantor on
---- -----
behalf of the holders of trust securities issued by a trust created by the
Guaranty similar to Commonwealth Bankshares Capital Trust I.

                                       12
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                  Termination
                                  -----------

         SECTION 7.01. Termination. This Guarantee Agreement shall terminate and
                       -----------
be of no further force and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price
of all Trust Securities, (ii) the distribution of Junior Subordinated Debt
Securities to the Holders in exchange for all of the Trust Securities or (iii)
full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration or Trust
upon liquidation of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guarantee
Agreement will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may
be, if at any time any Holder must repay any sums paid with respect to Trust
Securities or this Guarantee Agreement.

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                                 Miscellaneous
                                 -------------

         SECTION 8.01. Successors and Assigns. All guarantees and agreements
                       ----------------------
contained in this Guarantee Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns,
receivers, trustees and representatives of Guarantor and shall inure to the
benefit of the Holders then outstanding. Except in connection with a
consolidation, merger sale involving the Guarantor that is permitted under
Article VIII of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee agrees in
writing to perform the Guarantor's obligations hereunder, the Guarantor shall
not assign its obligations hereunder.

         SECTION 8.02. Amendments. Except with respect to any changes that do
                       ----------
not adversely affect the rights of the Holders in any material respect (in which
case no consent of the Holders will be required), this Guarantee Agreement may
only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of not less than a
Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Securities. The provisions of Article VI
of the Declaration of Trust concerning meetings of the Holders shall apply to
the giving of such approval.

         SECTION 8.03. Notices. Any notice, request or other communication
                       -------
required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by
the party giving such notice, and delivered, telecopied (confirmed by delivery
of the original) or mailed by first class mail as follows:

               (a) if given to the Guarantor, to the address set forth below or
such other address, facsimile number or to the attention of such other Person as
the Guarantor may give notice to the Holders:

                   COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES, INC.
                   403 Boush Street
                   Norfolk, VA 23510
                   Facsimile No.: (757) 446-6929

                                       13
<PAGE>

               (b) if given to the Issuer, in care of the Guarantee Trustee, at
the Issuer's (and the Guarantee Trustee's) address set forth below or such other
address as the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the Issuer may give notice to the
Holders:

                   COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES CAPITAL TRUST I
                   c/o Commonwealth Bankshares, Inc.
                   403 Boush Street
                   Norfolk, VA 23510
                   Facsimile No.: (757) 446-6929

               with a copy to:

                   WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
                   1100 N. Market Street
                   Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
                   Wilmington, Delaware 19890
                   Facsimile No.: (302) 651-8882

               (c) if given to the Guarantee Trustee:

                   WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY 1
                   100 N. Market Street
                   Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
                   Wilmington, Delaware 19890
                   Facsimile No.: (302) 651-8882

               (d) if given to any Holder, at the address set forth in the books
and records of the Issuer.

         All notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given when received
in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery
or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was
given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on
the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.

         SECTION 8.04. Benefit. This Guarantee Agreement is solely for the
                       -------
benefit of the Holders and is not separately transferable from the Trust
Securities.

         SECTION 8.05. Interpretation. In this Guarantee Agreement, unless the
                       --------------
context otherwise requires:

               (a) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the
same meaning throughout;

                                       14
<PAGE>

               (b) all references to "the Guarantee Agreement" or "this
Guarantee Agreement" are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented
or amended from time to time;

               (c) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and
Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement unless
otherwise specified;

               (d) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same
meaning when used in this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise defined in this
Guarantee Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;

               (e) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice
versa; and

               (f) the masculine, feminine or neuter genders used herein shall
include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders.

         SECTION 8.06. Governing Law. THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
                       -------------
BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
OF VIRGINIA WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

         This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

         THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above
written.

                                   WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as
                                   Guarantee Trustee

                                   By:__________________________________________
                                   Name:  Donald G. MacKelcan
                                   Title: Assistant Vice President

                                   COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES, INC., as Guarantor

                                   By:__________________________________________
                                   Name:  Edward J. Woodard, Jr.
                                   Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

                                       15<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.8

                               ESCROW AGREEMENT

          This Escrow Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of the _______ day of _______, 2000, by and among McKINNON & COMPANY, INC., a
Virginia corporation (the "Underwriter"), COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES CAPITAL TRUST
I, a statutory business trust organized under Delaware law (the "Trust") and
COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES, INC., a Virginia corporation (the "Company" and,
together with the Trust, the "Offerors"), and WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, a
Delaware banking corporation (the "Escrow Agent").

                                   RECITALS:

          A.   The Offerors propose to sell up to $8.05 million of $_____
Convertible Preferred Securities with a liquidation amount of $25.00 per
convertible preferred security (the "Preferred Securities"), to the public at a
price of $25.00 per Preferred Security (the "Offering").

          B.   The Offerors have retained the Underwriter, as selling agent for
the Offerors on a best efforts basis, to sell the Preferred Securities in the
Offering, and the Underwriter has agreed to sell the Preferred Securities as the
Offerors' selling agent on a best efforts basis in the Offering, and the
Underwriter has agreed to serve in this capacity, the terms of which
relationship are set forth in an Underwriting Agreement between the Offerors and
the Underwriter, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
                                                         ---------
"Underwriting Agreement").

          C.   The Underwriter will enter into agreements with other
brokers/dealers (the "Selected Dealers" or individually, the "Selected Dealer")
to assist in the sale of the Preferred Securities.

          D.   The Offerors have agreed to pay the Underwriter a commission of
up to $322,000.

          E.   The Escrow Agent is willing to hold the proceeds in escrow
pursuant to this Agreement.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, it is hereby agreed as
follows:

          1.   Establishment of the Escrow Account.  On or prior to the date of
               -----------------------------------
commencement of the Offering, the parties shall establish a non-interest-bearing
account with the Escrow Agent, which escrow account shall be entitled
"Commonwealth Bankshares Capital Trust I, Escrow Account" (the "Escrow
Account").  The Underwriter shall make, and shall instruct purchasers and
Selected Dealers to make payment for the Preferred Securities by wire transfer
of immediately available funds as follows:
<PAGE>

          Fed. Funds to be wired to:
          Wilmington Trust Company
          Wilmington, Delaware
          ABA No. 031100092
          for credit to the account of Commonwealth Bankshares Capital Trust
          I-Escrow
          Account No. _________________
          Attention:  _________________, Corporate Trust Administration
          Telephone No. _______________
          Fax No. _____________________

     The Offerors will make payment of the Underwriter's commission as provided
above.

     2.   Deposits into the Escrow Account.  Funds received from the
          --------------------------------
Underwriter, purchasers and Selected Dealers shall be deposited in the Escrow
Account.  All monies so deposited in the Escrow Account are hereinafter referred
to as the "Escrow Amount."  The Escrow Account shall be a non- interest-bearing
account.

     3.   Escrow Period.  The escrow period (the "Escrow Period") shall begin on
          -------------
_____________, 2000 and shall terminate at 5:00 p.m. on ____________, 2000, or
such other time as shall be mutually agreed upon in writing by the parties.
During the Escrow Period, the Offerors acknowledge that they are not entitled to
any funds received into escrow and no amounts deposited by the Escrow Agent
shall become property of the Offerors or any other entity, or be subject to the
debts of the Offerors or any other entity.

     4.   Delivery of Escrow Account Proceeds.  At the Closing Time as defined
          -----------------------------------
in the Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriter and Offerors shall provide the
Escrow Agent with written directions for the distribution of the Escrow Account,
and the Escrow Agent agrees to distribute the Escrow Account pursuant to such
written directions.  If no direction is received on or before 5:00 p.m.,
______________, 2000 (unless such time shall be extended by written agreement of
the Underwriter, Offerors and the Escrow Agent), the Escrow Agent shall return
the Escrow Amount to the parties that made payments to the Escrow Account and
this Agreement shall be of no further force or effect.

     5.   Closing Date.  The "Closing Time" shall be that date specified in the
          ------------
Underwriting Agreement.

     6.   Duties and Rights of the Escrow Agent.  The foregoing agreements and
          -------------------------------------
obligations of the Escrow Agent are subject to the following provisions:

          (a)  The Escrow Agent's duties hereunder are limited solely to the
safekeeping of the Escrow Account in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.  It is agreed that the Escrow Agent shall have no other duties or
obligations hereunder except as expressly set forth herein, shall be responsible
only for the performance of such duties and obligations, shall not be required
to take any action otherwise than in accordance with the terms hereof, shall not
be required to perform any acts that may violate any applicable laws, and shall
not be liable or responsible in any manner for any loss or damage arising by
reason of any act or omission to act

                                       2
<PAGE>

hereunder or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated hereby,
including, but not limited to, any loss or damage that may occur by reason of
forgery, false representation, the exercise of its discretion in any particular
manner or for any other reason, except any loss or damage arising by reason of
its gross negligence or willful misconduct.

          (b)  The Escrow Agent may rely upon, and shall be protected in acting
or refraining from acting upon, any written instructions furnished to it
hereunder and in good faith believed by it to be genuine or presented by the
proper party or parties, and the Escrow Agent may assume that any person or
entity purporting to give instructions in connection with provisions hereof has
been duly authorized to do so.  The Escrow Agent may at any time request written
instructions from the Underwriter and the Offerors with respect to the
interpretation of this Agreement or of any action to be taken or suffered or not
taken hereunder.

          (c)  In the event that the Escrow Agent shall be uncertain about the
interpretation of this Escrow Agreement or about its rights or obligations
hereunder or the propriety of any action contemplated hereunder, or if the
Escrow Agent shall receive instructions with respect to the Escrow Account that
are in its opinion in conflict with any other instructions with respect to the
Escrow Account that it has received or in conflict with any provision of this
Agreement, (i) the Escrow Agent promptly shall notify the Underwriter and the
Offerors (and any other involved parties, if necessary) of such uncertainty or
inconsistent instructions, (ii) the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to refrain
from taking any action other than to keep safely the Escrow Account until it
shall be directed otherwise in writing signed by the Underwriter and the
Offerors (and any other involved parties, if necessary) or by a final order or
judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, and (iii) if the Escrow Agent
does not receive a notice signed by the Underwriter and the Offerors (and any
other involved parties, if necessary) resolving such uncertainty or inconsistent
instructions within a reasonable time, the Escrow Agent shall have the right
(but not the obligation) to file suit in interpleader and obtain an order or
judgment from a court of competent jurisdiction requiring all persons involved
to interplead and litigate in such court their several claims and rights among
themselves and, upon the conclusion thereof, to act in accordance with the
resolution of such litigation.

     7.   Indemnification and Fees of the Escrow Agent.  The Underwriter and the
          --------------------------------------------
Offerors hereby jointly and severally agree to indemnify, defend and save
harmless the Escrow Agent from and against any and all losses, expenses
(including without limitation, reasonable fees, disbursements and other expenses
of counsel), assessments, liabilities, claims, damages, actions, suits or other
charges incurred by or assessed against the Escrow Agent for anything done or
omitted by it in the performance of its duties hereunder other than as a result
of its gross negligence or willful misconduct.  In addition to the foregoing,
the Underwriter and the Offerors hereby agree that the Escrow Agent shall deduct
from the Escrow Account prior to distributing or delivering the Escrow Account
in accordance with Section 8 hereof reasonable compensation for the services
rendered by the Escrow Agent hereunder.

     8.   Resignation and Replacement of the Escrow Agent.
          -----------------------------------------------

          (a)  The Escrow Agent may resign at any time and thereupon he
discharged of its duties and obligations as escrow agent hereunder by giving
five (5) days prior written notice

                                       3
<PAGE>

thereof to the Underwriter and Offerors. Upon expiration of such five day
period, the Escrow Agent shall take no further action until the Underwriter and
the Offerors have jointly appointed a successor escrow agent. Upon receipt of
written instructions signed by the Underwriter and the Offerors, the Escrow
Agent shall promptly turn over the Escrow Account to the successor escrow agent.
The Escrow Agent shall thereafter have no further duties or obligations
hereunder.

          (b)  The Escrow Agent may be removed and discharged from its duties
and obligations as escrow agent hereunder upon the mutual agreement of the
Underwriter and the Offerors by delivering a written notice executed by the
Underwriter and the Offerors of such removal to the Escrow Agent specifying the
date when such removal shall be effective (but such a removal shall in no event
be effective prior to the appointment of a successor escrow agent). In the event
of such removal, the Underwriter and the Offerors shall, within thirty (30) days
after such notice, jointly appoint a successor escrow agent and, upon receipt of
written instructions signed by the Underwriter and the Offerors, the Escrow
Agent shall promptly turn over the Escrow Account to such successor escrow
agent. The Escrow Agent shall thereafter have no further duties or obligations
hereunder.

     9.   Notices.  It is further agreed as follows:
          -------

          (a)  All notices given hereunder will be in writing, served by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by
hand-delivery, to the parties at the following addresses:

          To the Offerors:

          Commonwealth Bankshares, Inc.
          403 Boush Street
          Norfolk, VA 23510
          Attention: Edward J. Woodard, Jr.

          To the Underwriter:

          McKinnon & Company, Inc.
          555 Main Street, Suite 1212
          Norfolk, Virginia 23510
          Attention:  William J. McKinnon, Jr.

          To the Escrow Agent:

          Wilmington Trust Company
          1100 North Market Street
          Wilmington, Delaware  19890
          Attention:  ___________________

                                       4
<PAGE>

     10.  Miscellaneous.
          -------------

          (a)  This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and
be enforceable by the parries hereto and their respective successors and
assigns.

          (b)  If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid by any
court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not invalidate any other
provision hereof.

          (c)  This Agreement shall be governed by the applicable laws of the
State of Delaware.

          (d)  This Agreement may not be modified except in writing signed by
the parties hereto.

          (e)  All demands, notices, approvals, consents, requests and other
communications hereunder shall be given in the manner provided in this
Agreement.

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

                                    McKINNON & COMPANY, INC.

                                    By:_________________________________________
                                         William J. McKinnon, Jr.
                                         President

                                    COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES CAPITAL TRUST I

                                    By:_________________________________________
                                         Edward J. Woodard, Jr.
                                         Administrative Trustee

                                    COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES, INC.

                                    By:_________________________________________
                                         Edward J. Woodard, Jr.
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                    WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

                                    By:_________________________________________
                                         Donald G. MacKelcan
                                         Assistant Vice President

                                       6

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