Document:

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                                 EXHIBIT 10(g)
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                                                                   Exhibit 10(g)

                          SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT is effective this 1st day of December, 1999, by and
between SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES CORP. (the "Company"), with its principal place of
business in St. Louis, Missouri, and JOSEPH W. POPE (the "Executive").

                                  INTRODUCTION

         To encourage the Executive to remain an employee of the Company, the
Company is willing to provide salary continuation benefits to the Executive. The
Company will pay the benefits from its general assets.

                                    AGREEMENT

         The Executive and the Company agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1
                                   DEFINITIONS

         1.1 Definitions. Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words
and phrases shall have the meanings specified:

                  1.1.1 "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred as
of the first day any one more of the following conditions shall have been
satisfied:

                  (a) Any individual, corporation (other than the Company),
         partnership, trust, association, pool, syndicate, or any other entity
         or any group of persons (other than the Southside Bancshares Corp.1993
         Non-Qualified Employees Stock Ownership Plan) acting in concert becomes
         the beneficial owner, as that concept is defined in Rule 13d-3
         promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
         Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of the securities of the
         Company possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power for
         the election of directors of the Company;

                   (b) There shall be consummated any consolidation, merger or
         other business combination involving the Company or the securities of
         the Company in which holders of voting securities of the Company, as
         the case may be, immediately prior to such consummation own, as a
         group, immediately after such consummation, voting securities of the
         Company, as the case may be (or if the Company does not survive such
         transaction(s), voting securities of the corporation(s) surviving such
         transaction(s)) having less than fifty percent (50%) of the total
         voting power in an election of the directors of the Company (or such
         other surviving corporation (s));

                  (c) During any period of two (2) consecutive years,
         individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the
         directors of the Company cease for any reason to constitute at least a
         majority thereof;
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                  (d) Removal by the stockholders of the Company of all or a
         majority of the incumbent directors of the Company; or

                  (e) There shall be consummated any sale, lease, exchange, or
         other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions)
         of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company (on a
         consolidated basis) to a party which is not controlled by or under
         common control with the Company, as the case may be.

                  1.1.2 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
         amended. References to a Code section shall be deemed to be to that
         section as it now exists and to any successor provision.

                  1.1.3 "Disability" means, if the Executive is covered by a
         Company sponsored disability insurance policy, total disability as
         defined in such policy without regard to any waiting period. If the
         Executive is not covered by such a policy, Disability means a physical
         or mental impairment, non-self-induced, as diagnosed by a medical
         doctor selected by the Company, that so incapacitates or disables
         Executive such that Executive is no longer able to perform the
         essential functions of his position with reasonable accommodation. As a
         condition to any benefits, the Company may require the Executive to
         submit to such physical or mental evaluations and tests as the
         Company's Board of Directors deems appropriate.

                  1.1.4 "Early Retirement Date" means the date the Executive
         attains age fifty-five (55).

                  1.1.5 "Early Retirement Percentage" means fifty percent (50%)
         on the date the Executive attains age fifty-five (55).

                  1.1.6 "Normal Retirement Date" means the date the Executive
         attains age sixty-five (65).

                  1.1.7 "Plan Year" means the twelve (12) consecutive month
         period beginning on the effective date of this Agreement and each
         anniversary thereof.

                  1.1.8 "Termination of Employment" or "Terminates Employment"
         means the Executive's ceasing to be employed by the Company for any
         reason whatsoever, voluntary or involuntary, other than by reason of an
         approved leave of absence.

                  1.1.9 "Discount Rate" shall mean eight percent (8%).

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                                    ARTICLE 2
                                LIFETIME BENEFITS

         2.1 Normal Retirement Benefit. If Termination of Executive's Employment
occurs on or after the Normal Retirement Date, the Company shall pay to the
Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.1.

                  2.1.1 Amount of Benefit. The annual benefit under this Section
         2.1 is Eighty One Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($81,000.00), which
         annual amount will be increased each Plan Year, until the Executive's
         Normal Retirement Date, by three and one-half percent (3.5%) compounded
         annually.

                  2.1.2 Payment of Benefit. The Company shall pay the annual
         benefit determined under subsection 2.1.1 for a period of fifteen (15)
         years from Executive's retirement under this Section 2.1. The Company's
         payments shall be made in equal monthly installments (1/12th of the
         annual benefit). These equal monthly payments to the Executive will
         begin on the last day of the month which follows the month of the
         Executive's retirement under this Section 2.1 and continuing until the
         expiration of one hundred eighty (180) months from the first payment.

         2.2 Early Retirement Benefit. If Termination of Executive's Employment
occurs on or after the Early Retirement Date but before the Normal Retirement
Date, the Company shall pay to the Executive the benefit described in this
Section 2.2.

                  2.2.1 Amount of Benefit. The annual benefit under this Section
         2.2 is Eighty One Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($81,000.00), which
         annual amount will be increased each Plan Year, until the Executive
         retires, by three and one-half percent (3.5%) compounded annually,
         multiplied by the Early Retirement Percentage. Five percent (5%) will
         be added to the Early Retirement Percentage for each anniversary of the
         Early Retirement Date following such date on which the executive
         continues to be employed until the Early Retirement Percentage equals
         one hundred percent (100%).

                  2.2.2 Payment of Benefit. The Company shall pay the annual
         benefit determined under subsection 2.2.1 for a period of fifteen (15)
         years from Executive's retirement under this Section 2.2. The Company's
         payments shall be made in equal monthly installments (1/12th of the
         annual benefit). These equal monthly payments to the Executive will
         begin on the last day of the month which follows the month of the
         Executive's retirement under this Section 2.2 and continuing until the
         expiration of one hundred eighty (180) months from the first payment.

         2.3 Termination of Employment. If Termination of Employment occurs
before the Executive's Early Retirement Date, for reasons other than death or
Disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive the benefit described in this
Section 2.3.

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                  2.3.1 Amount of Benefit. The benefit under this Section 2.3 is
         the benefit set forth on the attached Schedule A based on the number of
         completed Plan Years on employment preceding the Executive's
         Termination of Employment multiplied by the vesting percentage at
         termination described in 2.3.2.

                  2.3.2 Vesting Schedule. The Executive shall vest at a rate of
         ten percent (10%) for each subsequently completed Plan Year that this
         Agreement is in force such that after ten (10) years the Executive
         shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested in the benefit.

                  2.3.3 Payment of Benefit. The Company shall pay the benefit in
         a single lump sum to the Executive within thirty (30) days following
         the Executive's Termination of Employment.

         2.4 Disability Benefit. If the Termination of Employment occurs while
the Executive suffers from a Disability prior to the Early Retirement Date, the
Company shall pay to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.4.

                  2.4.1 Amount and Payment of Benefit. Except as may be provided
         by Section 3.2 , the amount of benefit and method of payment under this
         Section 2.4 is established by the Executive with a written election and
         filed with the Company. The Company shall pay the elected amount to the
         Executive in accordance with the written election made by the
         Executive. The form of the election shall follow the form and content
         found on the attached Exhibit A. The attached Exhibit A, including the
         terms governing the Executive's election under this Section 2.4.1, are
         incorporated into this Agreement by reference.

         2.5 Change of Control Benefit. Upon a Change of Control while the
Executive is in the active service of the Company and (i) the Company thereafter
terminates the Executive; or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment after
either a change in job responsibilities or a reduction in the compensation paid
annually to the Executive prior to his Normal Retirement Date, then, subject to
the provisions of Section 2.5.1.1 and Section 5.3, the Company shall pay to the
Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.5 in lieu of any other benefit
under this Agreement.

                  2.5.1 Amount and Payment of Benefit. The benefit under this
         Section 2.5 is one hundred percent (100%) of the benefit determined
         under Schedule A based on the number of completed Plan Years, in
         accordance with Schedule A, on the date of Termination of Employment.
         The Company shall pay this benefit to the Executive in a single lump
         sum within thirty (30) days from Termination of Employment following a
         Change in Control.

                           2.5.1.1 Excess Parachute Payment. Notwithstanding any
                  provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall
                  not pay any benefit under this Agreement to the extent the
                  benefit would be a non-deductible parachute payment under
                  Section 280G of the Code.

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         2.6 Payment of Benefits in Pay Status. Upon a Change of Control where
benefits are in pay status to the Executive or the Executive's beneficiary
following the Executive's retirement, death, or Disability, one hundred percent
(100%) of the present value of any remaining payments otherwise due pursuant to
this Agreement will, in lieu of such remaining payments, be paid in full in a
lump sum within thirty (30) days after a Change in Control. The Discount Rate
shall be used to determine present value.

         2.7 Payment Restriction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
Section 2.2, Section 2.3, or Section 2.4, if the Executive has not been employed
at the Company or any of its subsidiaries for ten (10) years, which ten years
can occur either before or after the effective date of this Agreement, the
Executive will not be entitled to the payment of any benefits under Section 2.3
or Section 2.4.

                                    ARTICLE 3
                                 DEATH BENEFITS

         3.1 Death During Active Service. If the Executive dies while employed
by the Company and prior to receiving any payments under this Agreement, the
Company shall pay to the Executive's beneficiary the benefit described in this
Section 3.1.

                  3.1.1 Amount of Benefit. The annual benefit under this Section
         3.1 is Eighty One Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($81,000.00), which
         annual amount will be increased each Plan Year, until the Executive's
         Normal Retirement Date, by three and one-half percent (3.5%) compounded
         annually.

                  3.1.2 Payment of Benefit. The Company shall pay the annual
         benefit determined under subsection 3.1.1 for a period of fifteen (15)
         years from Executive's death under this Section 3.1. The Company's
         payments shall be made in equal monthly installments (1/12th of the
         annual benefit). These equal monthly payments to the Executive's
         beneficiary will begin on the last day of the month which follows the
         month of the Executive's death under this Section 3.1 and continuing
         until the expiration of one hundred eighty (180) months from the first
         payment.

         3.2 Death During Disability. In the event of the Executive's death
following Termination of Employment while suffering a Disability, but where the
termination is prior to Early Retirement Age, the Company shall pay the amount
described in this Section 3.2. Payment of a benefit under this section is made
in lieu of any other payments otherwise due the Executive or the Executive's
beneficiary.

                  3.2.1 Benefit Amount. In the event the Executive has received
         payments under Section 2.4.1 of this Agreement prior to death, then no
         benefit is provided in this Section 3.2.1. Otherwise, the amount of the
         benefit under this Section 3.2.1 is the liability accrued by the
         Company upon Termination of Employment, increased by six percent (6%)
         compounded annually for each subsequent Plan Year until the Executive's
         death.

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                  3.2.2 Payment of Benefit. The Company shall pay the benefit
         determined under subsection 3.2.1 to the Executive's beneficiary in a
         single lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Executive's
         death.

         3.3 Death During Benefit Period. If the Executive dies after benefit
payments have commenced under this Agreement but before receiving all such
payments, the Company shall pay the remaining benefits to the Executive's
beneficiary at the same time and in the same amounts they would have been paid
to the Executive had the Executive survived.

                                    ARTICLE 4

                                  BENEFICIARIES

         4.1 Beneficiary Designations. The Executive shall designate a
beneficiary by filing with the Company a written designation of beneficiary on
an form substantially similar to the form attached as Schedule B. The Executive
may revoke or modify the designation at any time by filing a new designation.
However, designations will only be effective if signed by the Executive and
accepted by the Company during the Executive's lifetime. The Executive's
beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the beneficiary
predeceases the Executive, or if the Executive names a spouse as beneficiary and
the marriage is subsequently dissolved. If the Executive dies without a valid
beneficiary designation, all payments shall be made to the Executive's surviving
spouse, if any, and if none, to the Executive's surviving children and the
descendants of any deceased child by right of representation, and if no children
or descendants survive, to the Executive's estate.

         4.2 Facility of Payment. If a benefit is payable to a minor, to a
person declared incompetent, or to a person incapable of handling the
disposition of his or her property, the Company may pay such benefit to the
guardian, legal representative or person having the care or custody of such
minor, incompetent person or incapable person, or to a custodian selected by the
Company under the Missouri Uniform Transfers to Minors Act for the benefit of
such minor. The Company may require proof of incompetency, minority or
guardianship as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit.
Such distribution shall completely discharge the Company from all liability with
respect to such benefit.

                                    ARTICLE 5

                               GENERAL LIMITATIONS

Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company
shall not pay any benefit under this Agreement:

         5.1 Termination for Cause. If the Company terminates the Executive's
employment for any of the following reasons:

                  5.1.1 Gross negligence or gross neglect of duties;

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                  5.1.2 Commission of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving
         moral turpitude; or

                  5.1.3 Fraud, dishonesty or willful violation of any law or
         significant Company policy committed in connection with the Executive's
         employment and resulting in personal financial benefit to the Executive
         and in an adverse effect on the Company.

         5.2 Suicide. If the Executive commits suicide and as a result of such
suicide the payment of death proceeds is denied on any policy of insurance owned
by the Company insuring the life of the Executive, no benefits shall be payable.

         5.3 Golden Parachute Payment. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to pay any benefit
under this Agreement if, upon the advice of counsel, the Company determines that
the payment of such benefit would be prohibited by 12 C.F.R. Part 359 or any
successor regulations regarding employee compensation promulgated by any
regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the Company or its affiliates. To the
extent possible, such benefit payment shall be proportionately reduced to allow
payment within the fullest extent permissible under applicable law.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                          CLAIMS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES

         6.1 Claims Procedure. The Company shall notify the Executive in
writing, within ninety (90) days of his written application for benefits, of his
eligibility or ineligibility for benefits under the Agreement. If the Company
determines that the Executive is not eligible for benefits or full benefits, the
notice shall set forth (1) the specific reasons for such denial, (2) a specific
reference to the provisions of the Agreement on which the denial is based, (3) a
description of any additional information or material necessary for the claimant
to perfect his or her claim, and a description of why it is needed, and (4) an
explanation of the Agreement's claims review procedure and other appropriate
information as to the steps to be taken if the beneficiary wishes to have the
claim reviewed. If the Company determines that there are special circumstances
requiring additional time to make a decision, the Company shall notify the
Executive of the special circumstances and the date by which a decision is
expected to be made, and may extend the time for up to an additional ninety-day
period.

         6.2 Review Procedure. If the Executive is determined by the Company not
to be eligible for benefits, or if the Executive believes that he is entitled to
greater or different benefits, the Executive shall have the opportunity to have
such claim reviewed by the Company by filing a petition for review with the
Company within sixty (60) days after receipt of the notice issued by the
Company. Said petition shall state the specific reasons which the Executive
believes entitle him to benefits or to greater or different benefits. Within
sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the petition, the Company shall
afford the Executive (and counsel, if any) an opportunity to present his
position to the Company orally or in writing, and the Executive (or counsel)
shall have the right to review the pertinent documents. The Company shall notify
the Executive of its decision in writing within the sixty-day period, stating
specifically the basis of its decision, written in a manner calculated to be
understood by the Executive and the specific

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provisions of the Agreement on which the decision is based. If, because of the
need for a hearing, the sixty-day period is not sufficient, the decision may be
deferred for up to another sixty-day period at the election of the Company, but
notice of this deferral shall be given to the Executive.

                                    ARTICLE 7
                           AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

         7.1 Amendment or Termination of Agreement After a Change in Control.
The Company may amend or terminate this Agreement at any time prior to the
Executive's Termination of Employment by written notice to the Executive;
provided, however, that if the Company amends or terminates this Agreement prior
to the Executive's Normal Retirement Date while the Executive is in the active
service of the Company and subsequent to a Change of Control, then, subject to
the provisions of Sections 5.3 and 2.5.1.1, the Company shall pay the Executive
one hundred percent (100%) of the benefit determined under Schedule A based on
the number of completed Plan Years, in accordance with Schedule A, on the date
of termination of this Agreement. The Company shall pay this benefit to the
Executive in a single lump sum within thirty (30) days from Termination of
Agreement following a Change in Control.

         7.2 Amendment or Termination Prior to a Change in Control. The Company
may amend or terminate this Agreement at any time prior to a Change in Control
by written notice to the Executive.

                  7.2.1 Subsequent to Executive's Normal Retirement Date. In the
         event of any such amendment or termination after payment of benefits
         has commenced, the benefit the Executive shall be entitled is one
         hundred percent (100%) of the present value of any unpaid benefit under
         Article 2, subject to Sections 5.3 and 2.5.1.1. The Discount Rate shall
         be used to determine present value. The Company shall pay the benefit
         under this Section 7.2.1 in a single lump sum payment within sixty (60)
         days of amendment or termination of this Agreement.

                  7.2.2 Prior to Executive's Normal Retirement Date. If
         amendment or termination of this Agreement under Section 7.2 occurs
         after the effective date of this Agreement and before payment of
         benefits has commenced, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount
         equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the amount of accrued benefit
         reflected in Schedule A based on completed Plan Years. The Company
         shall pay this benefit, if any, to the Executive in a single lump sum
         payment within sixty (60) days of Agreement amendment or termination.

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                                    ARTICLE 8
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         8.1 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall bind the Executive and the
Company, and their beneficiaries, survivors, executors, administrators and
permitted transferees.

         8.2 No Guaranty of Employment. This Agreement is not an employment
policy or contract. It does not give the Executive the right to remain an
employee of the Company, nor does it interfere with the Company's right to
discharge the Executive. It also does not require the Executive to remain an
employee nor interfere with the Executive's right to terminate employment at any
time.

         8.3 Non-Transferability. Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold,
transferred, assigned, pledged, attached or encumbered in any manner.

         8.4 Tax Withholding. The Company shall withhold any taxes that are
required to be withheld from the benefits provided under this Agreement.

         8.5 Applicable Law. The Agreement and all rights hereunder shall be
governed by the laws of the State of Missouri, except to the extent preempted by
the laws of the United States of America.

         8.6 Unfunded Arrangement. The Executive is a general unsecured creditor
of the Company for the payment of benefits under this Agreement. The benefits
represent the mere promise by the Company to pay such benefits. The rights to
benefits are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale,
transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by
creditors. Any insurance on the Executive's life is a general asset of the
Company to which the Executive has no preferred or secured claim.

         8.7 Severability. Without limitation of any other section contained
herein, in case any one or more provisions contained in this Agreement shall for
any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any other respect,
such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the other
provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed as if such
invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been a part of this
Agreement and shall be deemed substituted therefore such other provisions as
will most nearly accomplish the intent of the parties to the extent permitted by
applicable law, in case this Agreement or any one or more of its provisions
shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by any governmental
regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.

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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a duly authorized Company officer
have signed this Agreement as of the date indicated below.

/s/ Joseph W. Pope                                   Date:             12/5/99
JOSEPH W. POPE

SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES CORP.

By:      /s/ Thomas M. Teschner                      Date:             12/5/99
Title:   President & CEO

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                                   SCHEDULE A

                      SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN
                  SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES CORP. AND JOSEPH W. POPE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Plan Year* Completed
       Before Termination occurs                 Compensation Balance
       -------------------------                 --------------------
<S>                                              <C>
                  1                                   $   5,406
                  2                                      11,468
                  3                                      18,266
                  4                                      25,893
                  5                                      34,452
                  6                                      44,059
                  7                                      54,843
                  8                                      66,971
                  9                                      80,595
                 10                                      95,915
                 11                                     113,152
                 12                                     132,557
                 13                                     154,416
                 14                                     179,059
                 15                                     206,861
                 16                                     238,258
                 17                                     273,750
                 18                                     313,922
                 19                                     359,451
                 20                                     411,136
                 21                                     469,921
                 22                                     536,933
                 23                                     613,532
                 24                                     701,390
                 25                                     802,597
</TABLE>

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                             SCHEDULE A (CONTINUED)

                     SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN

                  SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES CORP. AND JOSEPH W. POPE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                  <C>
                   26                                   919,840
                   27                                 1,056,714
                   28                                 1,218,307
                   29                                 1,412,535
                   30                                 1,653,980
                   31                                 1,982,506
            End of Schedule
</TABLE>

     * Plan Year means the anniversary year of the date of the Agreement.

     To calculate an amount for less than a full Plan Year, take the number of
     completed months of service into the current Plan Year and divide by 12.
     Then multiply that fraction by the difference between (i) the Plan Year
     balance shown above for the Plan Year in which termination occurs and (ii)
     the previous Plan Year's balance. Then add that amount to the previous Plan
     Year's balance. The result provides credit for all prior full plan years
     plus a ratio percentage of the current plan year. For example, if the
     Executive leaves the Company during the 5th plan year four months after the
     fourth year plan anniversary, then you would take 4/12 times the balance
     shown for Plan Year 5 minus the balance shown for Plan Year 4. Then add
     that amount to the balance shown for Plan Year 4 to determine the amount
     due as a termination payment.

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                                   SCHEDULE B
                             BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

I, Joseph W. Pope, designate the following as beneficiary of any death benefits
payable under the Salary Continuation Agreement between myself and SOUTHSIDE
BANCSHARES CORP.:

Primary Beneficiary

Name           Melissa A. Pope                      Relationship   Spouse

Address   3081 Cambridge Point Drive, St. Louis, MO  63129

Contingent Beneficiary

Name      Alec J. and Michael T. Pope               Relationship   Children

Address   3081 Cambridge Point Drive, St. Louis, MO  63129

NOTE: TO NAME A TRUST AS BENEFICIARY, PLEASE PROVIDE THE NAME OF THE TRUSTEE AND
THE EXACT DATE OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT.

I understand that I may change these beneficiary designations by filing a new
written designation with the Company. I further understand that the designations
will be automatically revoked if the beneficiary predeceases me, or, if I have
named my spouse as beneficiary, in the event of the dissolution of our marriage.
I further understand that this beneficiary designation revokes any and all prior
beneficiary designations.

                                             Consented to by Executive's spouse:
Signature         /s/ Joseph W. Pope         Signature   /s/ Melissa A. Pope
                  JOSEPH W. POPE

Date              12/5/99                            Date    12/7/99

Accepted by the Company this 7th day of December, 1999

By:      /s/ Thomas M. Teschner

Title:   President and CEO

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                                    EXHIBIT A

                      EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT BENEFIT ELECTION

         THIS ELECTION is made and entered into as of 5th day of December, 1999,
by SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES CORP. (the "Company") located in St. Louis, Missouri,
pursuant to the Salary Continuation Agreement between the Company and JOSEPH W.
POPE (the "Executive") dated December 1, 1999, (the "Agreement").

         The Executive, by initialing in ink either OPTION 1 or OPTION 2 below
hereby elects to receive the Disability Benefit described in the elected option
and receive the payment or payments in accordance to the option the Executive
elects.

                                    OPTION 1

                  (initials)
         ---------
                  a. Benefit Amount. The amount of the benefit is the amount set
         forth on the attached Schedule A based on the number of completed Plan
         Years preceding the Executive's Termination of Employment.

                  b. Payment of Benefit. The Company shall pay the benefit in a
         single lump sum to the Executive within thirty (30) days following the
         Executive's Termination of Employment.

                                    OPTION 2
          /s/ JWP (initials)
         ---------
                  a. Benefit Amount. The amount of the benefit is a percentage
         of the annual benefit set forth in Section 2.1 determined as of the
         Normal Retirement Date. The fraction to be utilized to determine the
         percentage has a numerator equal to the amount found on Schedule A of
         the Agreement based upon the number of completed Plan Years by the
         Executive as of Termination of Employment increased each subsequent
         Plan Year until the Executive's Normal Retirement Date by six percent
         (6%) and a denominator equal to the amount found on Schedule A of the
         Agreement based upon the Executive having completed all Plan Years up
         to the Executive's Normal Retirement Date.

                  b. Payment of Benefit. The Company shall pay the annual
         benefits for a period of fifteen (15) years from Executive's Normal
         Retirement Date. The Company's payments shall be made in equal monthly
         installments (1/12th of the annual benefit). These equal monthly
         payments to the Executive will begin on the last day of the month which
         follows the month of the Executive attaining the Normal Retirement Date
         and continuing until the expiration of one hundred eighty (180) months
         from the first payment.

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                              EXHIBIT A (CONTINUED)

         The Executive and Company acknowledge and agree that each and every
election to select a benefit payment pursuant to OPTION 1 or OPTION 2 made under
this EXHIBIT A EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT BENEFIT ELECTION, in order to be valid and
effective, must be made by December 31st of the year prior to the calendar year
preceding the Executive's Termination of Employment.

         The Executive and Company agree and acknowledge that any election to
select a benefit payment pursuant to OPTION 1 or OPTION 2 made under this
EXHIBIT A EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT BENEFIT ELECTION not made within the time frame
set forth in the paragraph above shall be null and void. When a null and void
election is made the most recent election which is not null and void shall
determine the method in which the Executive's retirement benefit shall be paid
under Section 2.4.1 of the Agreement.

         The Executive and the Company acknowledge and agree that the Company,
in the absence of a valid election by the Executive under this EXHIBIT A
EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT BENEFIT ELECTION, the Company shall pay any benefit under
Section 2.4.1 of this Agreement under OPTION 1 above.

         The Executive and the Company understands that the Executive may change
the election set forth above, consistent with the restrictions set forth in this
EXHIBIT A EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT BENEFIT ELECTION, by filing a new written
designation with the Company on a form following this EXHIBIT A EXECUTIVE
RETIREMENT BENEFIT ELECTION.

Executive:

Signature   /s/ Joseph W. Pope                       Date              12/5/99

Accepted by the Company this 5th day of December, 1999.

By:   /s/ Thomas M. Teschner
Title:   President and CEO

                                       15<PAGE>   1

                                 EXHIBIT 10(h)
<PAGE>   2
                                                                   Exhibit 10(h)

                                 FIRST AMENDMENT
                          TO SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES CORP.
                    DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR DIRECTORS

         This First Amendment (hereinafter referred to as the "Amendment") is
entered into this 1st day of December, 1999, the effective date, between
SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES CORP. (the "Company"), with its principal place of business
in St. Louis, Missouri (the "Company"), and THOMAS M. TESCHNER, a director of
the Company (hereinafter referred to as the "Director").

         WHEREAS, the Director has served on the Board of Directors of the
Company (hereinafter referred to as the "Board"), and the Board wishes to
provide additional incentives for the Director's continued service; and

         WHEREAS, the Director has contributed to the success and profitability
of the Company and is expected to continue such contribution; and

         WHEREAS, the Director and the Company have previously entered into a
plan entitled Southside Bancshares Corp. Deferred Compensation Plan for
Directors, dated April 25, 1996, which includes an agreement entitled the
Southside Bancshares Corp. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors
Participation Agreement executed by the Director (hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Previous Plan"), which provided that the Company would
provide certain benefits to the Director upon his retirement; and

         WHEREAS, the Company and the Director desire to set forth their
Amendment to the Previous Plan as to fees the Director has already deferred and
the continued deferral of a portion of the Director's fees as a deferred
compensation plan and to provide certain additional benefits in the case of the
Director's death while serving as a Director of the Company; and

         WHEREAS, the Company and the Director desire to provide the Director,
in lieu of Director's fees already deferred and the deferral of annual
Director's fees of Sixteen Thousand Eight Hundred and 00/100 Dollars
($16,800.00) per year for the next ten (10) years, as compensation for his
services to the Company, a post-retirement income or a pre-retirement death
benefit to his beneficiary.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained
herein, the Company and the Director hereby amend and restate the Previous Plan
as follows:

         1. Director agrees that the benefits provided under this Amendment are
in lieu of the benefits accumulated to the Director under the Previous Plan.

         2. The liability existing on the financial records on the Company
("Rollover Balance") under the Previous Plan as of the effective date of this
Amendment will be included in the Director's Account as hereinafter defined.
<PAGE>   3
         3. Director revokes all prior deferral elections and agrees to a
reduction of the current payment of his compensation for service on the Board by
Sixteen Thousand Eight Hundred and 00/100 Dollars ($16,800.00) per year,
annually deferred in twelve (12) substantially equal monthly installments, for a
period of ten (10) years, or such other amount as shall be elected by the
Director in a signed writing delivered to the Company, and to defer receipt of
such amount until paid pursuant to later provisions of this Amendment.
Compensation reductions under this Amendment shall cease at the earlier of the
end of the deferral period or when said Director attains age sixty (60). The
Director may change the amount of or suspend future deferrals with respect to
fees and retainers earned for calendar years commencing after the date of change
or suspension as he may specify by written notice to the Company. Following any
such suspension, the Director may make a new election to again become a deferral
participant; however, the election to defer shall be irrevocable for the
particular year, and must be made prior to the beginning of the calendar year.

         4. The Company will record amounts deferred pursuant to paragraphs 2
and 3 and amounts credited pursuant to paragraph 5 in a separate account
(hereinafter referred to as the "Account") in the financial records of the
Company.

         5. Until the Director attains age sixty (60), the Company will credit
interest compounded monthly to the Account as follows: subject to a minimum
annual rate of six percent (6%) and a maximum annual rate of fifteen percent
(15%), a rate equal to the annual percentage increase (the "Annual Rate") of the
stock price of Southside Bancshares Corp (the "Stock Price"). The annual
percentage increase of the Stock Price shall be initially determined utilizing a
fraction that has a numerator calculated by subtracting the closing bid price
one year prior to the effective date of this Amendment from the closing bid
price on the effective date of this Amendment and a denominator equal to the
closing bid price one year prior to the effective date of this Amendment. For
each subsequent year that this Amendment is effective, the Annual Rate will be
determined utilizing a fraction that has a numerator calculated by subtracting
the closing bid price one year prior to each anniversary of effective date of
this Amendment from the closing bid price on each anniversary of effective date
of this Amendment and a denominator equal to the closing bid price one year
prior to the anniversary of effective date of this Amendment. Notwithstanding
the above, at any time during the period the Director is scheduled to make a
deferral under paragraph 3 of this Amendment and the Director fails to defer a
monthly amount under paragraph 3 the annual interest rate the Company will
credit the Account under this paragraph will be six percent (6%), compounded
monthly for the period the Director makes no deferral. Once the Director attains
age sixty (60) or the service of the Director is terminated and payments from
the Account continue to be deferred, the Company will credit interest compounded
monthly to the Account at a rate of six percent (6%) until the balance of the
Account is fully paid.

         6. The Account will be unfunded and no assets of the Company will be
segregated with respect to the Account. Further, the Account shall be kept only
for purposes of its identification on the books and records of the Company as a
liability of the Company to the Director, and the Account will be subject to the
claims of general creditors of the Company.

         7. Amounts held in the Account or a death benefit will be payable as
indicated in Paragraph 8 upon the first to occur of the following events:

                                       2
<PAGE>   4
                  (a) termination of the Director's membership on the Board of
         the Company other than by death; or

                  (b) termination of this Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 17; or

                  (c) the occurrence of the Director's 60th birthday; or

                  (d) the death of the Director.

The Company shall only have the obligation to complete making payments under
Paragraph 8 to the Director, his/her designated beneficiary, or the estate of
the designated beneficiary pursuant to the applicable subparagraph above.

         8.
                  a. If payment is to be made due to the occurrence of an event
described in 7(a) or in 7(b), subject to provisions of paragraph 9, an amount
equal to the balance in the Account shall be paid to the Director in one lump
sum not later than sixty (60) days following the occurrence of the event.

                  b. If payment is to be made due to the occurrence of the event
described in 7(c), the balance in the Account shall be paid to the Director in
substantially equal monthly installments over a one hundred eighty (180) month
period commencing on the first day of the month following the Director's
birthday.

                  c. If payment is to be made due to the occurrence of the event
described in 7(d), the amount payable to the Director's beneficiary shall be the
monthly amount stated in Addendum A multiplied by a fraction the numerator of
which is equal to the sum of: (i) the Rollover Balance, including interest
credited to this amount through the date of the Director's death pursuant to
paragraph 5 of this Amendment; (ii) the amount actually deferred under this
Amendment until the Director's death, including the interest credited to these
deferrals through the date of the Director's death pursuant to paragraph 5 of
this Amendment; (iii) if the Director's death occurs before the ten year
deferral period set forth in paragraph 3 of this Amendment, the projected
amounts that would have been deferred from the date of the Director's death
through the date the Director would have attained age fifty-three (53), based on
the Director's elected deferral amount in effect on the date of the Director's
death; and (iv) the interest that would have been credited to the amounts in
(i), (ii), and (iii) immediately above pursuant to paragraph 5 from the date of
the Director's death until the date the Director would have reached age 60
assuming an Annual Rate that would equal the average annual interest credited to
the Director's Account from the effective date of this Amendment through the
Director's death or, if the Director was not making monthly deferrals at the
date of the Director's death and the Director's death occurred within ten (10)
years of the date of this Amendment, an Annual Rate equal to six percent (6%);
and the denominator of which shall equal the sum of the Rollover Balance and the
projected total deferral that would have occurred if the Director would have
deferred the amount set forth in paragraph 3 for the period set forth in
paragraph 3, including the maximum annual interest credited under paragraph 5 of
this Amendment to the Rollover balance and to the projected deferrals under
paragraph 3; provided, however, under no circumstances shall the monthly benefit
be greater than that stated in Addendum A. Payments to the Director's

                                       3
<PAGE>   5
designated beneficiary shall begin the first day of the month following the
month of the death of the Director.

                  d. Notwithstanding the foregoing subparagraph (c), if the
Director commits suicide and as a result of such suicide the payment of the
death proceeds is denied on any policy of insurance owned by the Company
insuring the life of the Director, the amount payable to the Director's
designated beneficiary shall be the Account balance on the date of the
Director's death less an amount equal to the sum of any monthly amounts
previously paid the designated beneficiary. Payment to the Director's designated
beneficiary shall be made in a lump sum within sixty (60) days from the denial
of payment of proceeds from any life insurance policy owned by the Company.

         9. If payment is to be made under subparagraph 7 (a) and the Director's
termination is due to disability covered under a disability insurance policy,
the Company may, in its sole discretion, defer payment until payments under the
disability policy cease.

         10. In the event the Director should die before receiving the payment
due under subparagraph 8(a) or the payments due under subparagraph 8(b), the
remaining payment or payments, as the case may be, shall be paid to the
Director's designated beneficiary.

         11. If the Director's designated beneficiary dies before receiving all
payments due, the Company shall pay the remaining payments, in the same form of
pay out as the designated beneficiary has been receiving or is to receive, to
the revocable trust of the Designated beneficiary and, if none, to the estate of
the designated beneficiary.

         12. Director may request in a signed writing delivered to the Board,
that the Company pay a hardship distribution to the Director from amounts held
in the Account. Hardship means an unforeseen event or situation that creates an
extraordinary financial need that cannot reasonably be met by other resources of
the Director. The Board shall elect in its sole discretion, without
participation of the Director making the request, whether or not to grant such
request.

         13. Any amounts payable to the Director's designated beneficiary
pursuant to this Amendment will be paid to the beneficiary designated by the
Director in a signed writing delivered to the Company. Director has the right to
change his beneficiary designation by delivering to the Company a subsequent
signed writing. If Director does not designate a beneficiary in the manner
described in this paragraph 13, or if the designated beneficiary has predeceased
the Director, then amounts payable hereunder will be payable first to the
Director's surviving spouse; and if the Director has no surviving spouse, then
such amounts will then be payable to the Director's estate or as provided by a
decree of distribution or other proper order by the court having jurisdiction of
such estate. No one other than the Director shall have any right to designate a
beneficiary.

         14. The right to receive payments under this Amendment shall not be
assigned or encumbered, or subject to anticipation, garnishment, attachment, or
any other legal process of creditors of the Director or of any designated
beneficiary. If the Director or a designated beneficiary attempts to assign such
right, the Board, in its sole discretion, may suspend, reduce or terminate any
or all rights created by this Amendment as to the Director or the designated
beneficiary attempting said assignment.

                                       4
<PAGE>   6
         15. Nothing in this Amendment shall be construed as giving the Director
the right to be retained on the Company's Board. The Director shall remain
subject to discharge at any time and to the same extent as if this Amendment had
not been executed.

         16. The Company does not assure or guarantee the tax consequences of
payments provided hereunder or matters beyond its control, and the Director
certifies that his decision to reduce and defer receipt of his compensation is
not due to any reliance upon financial, tax or legal advice given by the Company
or any of its employees.

         17. This Amendment may be amended or terminated at any time by the
Company in writing; however, no amendment or termination may reduce amounts
payable to Director or his designated beneficiary below the then Account
balance, without such person's written consent.

         18. The Board upon ninety (90) days advance written notice to the
Director may terminate this Amendment and, in the event of such termination,
shall pay an amount equal to the then Account balance in a lump sum to the
Director within sixty (60) days following such termination.

         19. While the Company intends that this Plan will result in the
deferral of the imposition of a federal income tax on the funds credited
hereunder until such time as they actually be paid to a Director, nothing herein
shall be construed as a promise, guarantee or other representation by the
Company of such tax effect nor, without limitation, shall the Company be liable
for any taxes, penalties or other amounts incurred by Directors in the event it
is determined by applicable authorities that such deferral was not accomplished,
and the Director should consult his or her own tax advisor(s) to determine the
tax consequences in his or her specific case.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereof have entered into this Amendment
at St. Louis, Missouri, as of the date first above written.

                           SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES CORP.

                                 BY:  /S/ JOSEPH W. POPE
                                 ITS:  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

                                 DIRECTOR:

                                 /S/ THOMAS W. TESCHNER
                                 THOMAS M. TESCHNER

                                       5
<PAGE>   7
                             BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

I, Thomas M. Teschner, designate the following as beneficiary of any death
benefits payable under the First Amendment to Southside Bancshares Corp.
Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors myself and Southside Bancshares Corp.:

 Primary Beneficiary

 Name         Thomas M. Teschner Revocable Trust      Relationship

 Address      6312 Christopher Winds Court

Contingent Beneficiary (to receive the benefits if there is no surviving Primary
Beneficiary)

 Name         Susan R. Teschner                       Relationship       Wife

 Address      6312 Christopher Winds Court

NOTE: TO NAME A TRUST AS BENEFICIARY, PLEASE PROVIDE THE NAME OF THE TRUSTEE AND
THE EXACT DATE OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT.

I understand that I may change these beneficiary designations by filing a new
written designation with the Company. I further understand that the designations
will be automatically revoked if the beneficiary predeceases me, or, if I have
named my spouse as beneficiary, in the event of the dissolution of our marriage.
I further understand that this beneficiary designation revokes all prior
beneficiary designations applicable to this Amendment.

                                           Consented to by Director's spouse:
Director's Signature:                      Spouse's Signature:

 /s/ Thomas M. Teschner                    /s/ Susan R. Teschner
THOMAS M. TESCHNER

Date:         12-1-99                    Date:         12-1-99

Accepted by the Company this 1st day of December, 1999.

By: /s/ Joseph W. Pope
Title: Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>   8
                                   ADDENDUM A

Sixteen Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty One and 25/100 Dollars ($16,951.25) per
month for one hundred eighty (180) months.

ADDENDUM A - PAGE SOLO

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