Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), is made and entered into as
of November 15, 2004 by and among Gregory F. Patton, a resident of the State of
Georgia ("Employee"), Northside Bank, a proposed Georgia state banking
corporation ("Employer") and Northside Bancshares, Inc. a Georgia corporation
and sole shareholder of Employer (the "Company").

                                   WITNESSETH:

      WHEREAS, Employer and Employee each deem it necessary and desirable, for
their mutual protection, to execute a written document setting forth the terms
and conditions of their employment relationship;

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the employment of Employee by
Employer, of the premises and the mutual promises and covenants contained
herein, and of other good and value consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally
bound, agree as follows:

      1. Employment and Duties. Employer hereby employs Employee to serve as
President of Employer and the Company and to perform such other duties and
responsibilities as are customarily performed by persons acting in such
capacity. During the term of this Agreement, Employee will devote his full time
and efforts to his duties hereunder. Employee shall perform his duties at
Employer's Main Office (as hereinafter defined) in Bartow County, Georgia.

      2. Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of this Agreement, the
period of Employee's employment under this Agreement shall be deemed to have

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commenced as of the date hereof and shall continue for a period of 36 calendar
months thereafter (i) unless Employee dies before the end of such 36 months,
(ii) Employer is not successful in obtaining final opening approvals (the "Final
Approvals") from the Department of Banking and Finance of the State of Georgia
(the "Georgia Department") and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the
"FDIC") or (iii) the Company is unable to raise at least Ten Million Dollars in
equity (the "Minimum Capital") in order to capitalize Employer. In any such
event, the period of employment shall continue until the earlier of the end of
the month during which Employee dies or it becomes evident that the Final
Approvals will not be obtained or the Minimum Capital will not be raised. The
period of employment shall automatically be extended for additional one year
terms on each anniversary without further action by the parties, commencing on
November 15, 2007 and each November 15 thereafter. No such automatic extension
shall occur if either party shall, within 90 days prior to any said anniversary,
deliver written notice to the other of its intention that this Agreement shall
not be so extended.

      3. Compensation. For all services to be rendered by Employee during the
term of this Agreement, Employer shall pay Employee in accordance with the terms
set forth in Exhibit A, net of applicable withholdings, payable in semi-monthly
installments or such other compensation payment schedule as may be adopted by
Employer for its full time employees.

      4. Expenses. So long as Employee is employed hereunder, Employee is
entitled to receive reimbursement for, or seek payment directly by Employer of,
all reasonable expenses which are consistent with the normal policy of Employer
in the

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performance of Employee's duties hereunder, provided that Employee accounts for
such expenses in writing.

      5. Employee Benefits. So long as Employee is employed hereunder, Employee
shall be entitled to participate in the various employee benefit programs
adopted by Employer and the Company from time to time.

      6. Vacation. Employee shall be entitled to two weeks vacation during the
first year of employment provided such vacation is not taken by Employee during
the first six months of his employment. After the first year of employment,
Employee shall be entitled to four weeks annual vacation, provided that no more
than two weeks of such vacation shall be used in any 60 day period.

      7. Confidentiality. In Employee's position as an employee of Employer,
Employee has had and will have access to confidential information, trade secrets
and other proprietary information of vital importance to Employer and the
Company and has and will also develop relationships with customers, employees
and others who deal with Employer or the Company which are of value to Employer
and the Company. Employer requires, as a condition to Employee's employment with
Employer, that Employee agree to certain restrictions on Employee's use of the
proprietary information and valuable relationships developed during Employee's
employment with Employer. In consideration of the terms and conditions contained
herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

      7.1 Employer and Employee mutually agree and acknowledge that Employer and
the Company may entrust Employee with highly sensitive, confidential, restricted
and proprietary information concerning various Business Opportunities (as

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hereinafter defined), customer lists, and personnel matters. Employee
acknowledges that he shall bear a fiduciary responsibility to Employer and the
Company to protect such information from use or disclosure that is not necessary
for the performance of Employee duties hereunder, as an essential incident of
Employee's employment with Employer.

      7.2 For the purposes of this Section 7, the following definitions shall
apply:

            7.2.1 "Trade Secret" shall mean the identify and addresses of
customers of Employer or the Company, the whole or any portion or phase of any
scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula or
improvement that is valuable and secret (in the sense that it is not generally
known to competitors of Employer or the Company) and which is defined as a
"trade secret" under Georgia law pursuant to the Georgia Trade Secrets Act.

            7.2.2 "Confidential Information" shall mean any data or information,
other than Trade Secrets, which is material to Employer or the Company and not
generally known by the public. Confidential Information shall include, but not
be limited to, Business Opportunities of Employer or the Company (as hereinafter
defined), the details of this Agreement, Employer's or the Company's business
plans and financial statements and projections, information as to the
capabilities of Employer's or the Company's employees, their respective salaries
and benefits and any other terms of their employment and the costs of the
services Employer or the Company may offer or provide to the customers it
serves, to the extent such information is material to Employer or the Company
and not generally known by the public.

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            7.2.3 "Business Opportunities" shall mean any specialized
information or plans of Employer or the Company concerning the provision of
financial services to the public, together with all related information
concerning the specifics of any contemplated financial services regardless of
whether Employer has contacted or communicated with such target person or
business.

            7.2.4 Notwithstanding the definitions of Trade Secrets, Confidential
Information, and Business Opportunities set forth above, Trade Secrets,
Confidential Information, and Business Opportunities shall not include any
information:

            (i) that is or becomes generally known to the public;

            (ii) that is already known by Employee or is developed by Employee
      after termination of employment through entirely independent efforts;

            (iii) that Employee obtains from an independent source having a bona
      fide right to use and disclose such information;

            (iv) that is required to be disclosed by law, except to the extent
      eligible for special treatment under an appropriate protective order; or

            (v) that Employer's or the Company's Board of Directors approves for
      release.

      7.3 Employee shall not, without the prior approval of Employer's or the
Company's Board of Directors, during his employment with Employer and for so
long thereafter as the information or data remain Trade Secrets, use or
disclose, or negligently permit any unauthorized person who is not an employee
of Employer or the Company to use, disclose, or gain access to, any Trade
Secrets.

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            7.4 Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of
Employer or the Company, during his employment with Employer and for a period of
two years thereafter as long as the information or data remain competitively
sensitive, use or disclose, or negligently permit any unauthorized person who is
not employed by Employer or the Company to use, disclose, or gain access to, any
Confidential Information to which the Employee obtained access by virtue of his
employment with Employer, except as provided in Section 7.2 of this Agreement.

      8. Observance of Security Measures. During Employee's employment with
Employer, Employee is required to observe all security measures adopted to
protect Trade Secrets, Confidential Information and Business Opportunities.

      9. Return of Materials. Upon the request of Employer or the Company and,
in any event, upon the termination of his employment with Employer, Employee
shall deliver to Employer all memoranda, notes, records, manuals or other
documents, including all copies of such materials containing Trade Secrets or
Confidential Information, whether made or compiled by Employee or furnished to
him from any source by virtue of his employment with Employer.

      10. Severability. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the covenants
contained in Sections 7 through 9 and Section 14 of this Agreement shall be
construed as covenants independent of one another and distinct from the
remaining terms and conditions of this Agreement, and severable from every other
contract and course of business by and among Employer, the Company and Employee,
and that the existence of any claim, suit or action by Employee against Employer
and/or the Company, whether predicated upon this Agreement or any other
agreement, shall not constitute a defense to

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Employer's or the Company's enforcement of any covenant contained in Sections 7
through 9 and Section 14 of this Agreement.

      11. Specific Performance. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the
covenants contained in Sections 7 through 9 and Section 14 of this Agreement
shall survive any termination of employment, as applicable, with or without
Cause (as hereinafter defined), at the instigation or upon the initiative of any
party. Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the ascertainment of
damages in the event of Employee's breach of any covenant contained in Sections
7 through 9 and Section 14 of this Agreement would be difficult, if at all
possible. Employee therefore acknowledges and agrees that Employer and the
Company shall be entitled in addition to and not in limitation of any other
rights, remedies, or damages available to Employer and the Company in
arbitration, at law or in equity, upon submitting whatever affidavit the law may
require, and posting any necessary bond, to have a court of competent
jurisdiction enjoin Employee from committing any such breach.

      12. Termination.

            12.1 During the term of this Agreement, Employee's employment,
including without limitation, all compensation, salary, expenses, reimbursement,
and employee benefits may be terminated (i) at the election of Employer for
Cause or without Cause; (ii) at Employee's election upon Employer's breach of
any material provision of this Agreement; (iii) upon Employee's death; or (iv)
at the election of either party, upon Employee's disability as defined in the
disability insurance policy dealing with such matters provided in Exhibit A of
this Agreement resulting in an inability to perform the duties described in
Section 1 of this Agreement for a period of 90 consecutive days.

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            12.2 As used in this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) conduct by
Employee that amounts to fraud, material dishonesty, gross negligence or willful
misconduct in the performance of his duties hereunder; (ii) the conviction (from
which no appeal may be, or is, timely taken) of Employee of a felony; (iii)
initiation of suspension or removal proceedings against Employee by federal or
state regulatory authorities acting under lawful authority pursuant to
provisions of federal or state law or regulation which may be in effect from
time to time; (iv) knowing violation of federal or state banking laws or
regulations which are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company;
or (v) refusal to perform a duly authorized directive of Employer's Board of
Directors unless Employee in good faith believes that such act would cause
Employee to breach his fiduciary duties to the Company or Employer.

            12.3 No termination by Employer shall be effective unless it is
approved by a majority vote of Employer's Board of Directors, excluding the
vote, if any, of Employee.

            12.4 If this Agreement is terminated either pursuant to Cause,
Employee's death or Employee's disability, Employee shall receive no further
compensation or benefits other than six weeks' severance pay based on Employee's
then current Base Salary plus any accrued but unused vacation computed on a
daily basis payable in a lump-sum payment o the date of notice of such
termination.

            12.5 If Employee is terminated by Employer without Cause, then
Employee shall receive an amount equal to one year's severance pay equal to
Employee's then current Base Salary plus any accrued but unused vacation
computed on a daily basis, both payable in 12 equal monthly payments commencing
two weeks after notice of such

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termination is delivered to Employee. Employee shall receive no further
compensation or benefits.

            12.6 If Employee is terminated by Employer prior to the receipt of
Final Approvals or if the Company abandons its efforts to raise the Minimum
Capital, Employee shall receive an amount equal to six months' severance pay
based on Employee's then current Base Salary payable in six equal monthly
payments commencing on the date of notice of such termination. Employee shall
receive no further compensation or benefits.

            12.7 If Employee is terminated by Employer because it did not
receive Final Approvals or the Company failed to raise the Minimum Capital,
Employee shall receive an amount equal to three months' severance pay based on
Employee's then current Base Salary payable in three equal monthly payments
commencing on the date of such termination. Employee shall receive no further
compensation or benefits.

            12.8 Notwithstanding any provisions hereof to the contrary, if there
occurs a Change in Control (as defined herein) of the Employer or the Company
and Employer either (i) terminates this Agreement, (ii) reduces Employee's Base
Salary, (iii) reduces Employee's performance based compensation by more than
10%, or (iv) changes Employee's primary place of business by more than 35 miles
from the Main Office, then Employee shall be entitled for a period of 180 days
after the date of the closing of the transaction effecting such Change in
Control to deliver to the Employer written notice of termination of this
Agreement. In such event, Employer shall pay Employee a lump sum cash payment in
an amount equal to Employee's then current compensation for the most

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recent fiscal year. This payment shall be paid to Employee by the Employer
within 30 days after the delivery of such notice of termination. "Change in
Control" shall mean:

      (a)   in any transaction, whether by merger, consolidation, asset sale,
            tender offer, reverse stock split, or otherwise, which results in
            the acquisition or beneficial ownership (as such term is defined
            under rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities
            Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), by any person or entity or any
            group of persons or entities acting in concert, of 50% or more of
            the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company;

      (b)   the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Employer
            or the Company; or

      (c)   the liquidation of the Employer or the Company.

      13. Notices. All notice provided for herein shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to be given when delivered in person or deposited in the United States
Mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, with proper postage
prepaid and addressed as follows:

         Employer and Company:          Northside Bancshares, Inc.
                                        Post Office Box 283
                                        Adairsville, Georgia 30103
                                        Attn: Chairman

         Employee:                      Gregory F. Patton
                                        909 Road Number 1 South
                                        Cartersville, Georgia 30120

      14. Covenant Not to Compete, Not to Solicit and Not to Hire.

            14.1 For purposes of this Section 14, Employer and Employee conduct
the following business in the following geographic areas:

                  14.1.1 Upon receipt of the Final Approvals, Employer will
engage in the business of transacting business as a bank which accepts deposits,
makes loans, cashes checks and otherwise engages in the business of banking and
such other business

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as may lawfully be engaged in by a Georgia financial institution (collectively,
the "Business of Employer").

                  14.1.2 Employer will conduct business from its office located
at _______________________, Adairsville, Georgia (the "Main Office") and such
other business locations as it may open in the future.

                  14.1.3 Employee will establish business relationships and
perform the duties described in Section 1 of this Agreement in the geographic
area covered by a circle having a radius of 30 miles from the Main Office, and
will work primarily in such area while in the employ of Employer.

            14.2 Employee covenants and agrees that for a period of two years
after the termination of this Agreement for any reason other than a termination
of this Agreement by Employer without Cause, Employee shall not, directly or
indirectly, as principal, agent, trustee, consultant or through the agency of
any financial institution, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other
entity or person, on Employee's own behalf or for others, provide the duties
described in Section 1 of this Agreement for any entity or person conducting the
Business of Employer within the geographic area covered by a circle having a
radius of 30 miles from the Main Office. In the event Employer terminates this
Agreement without Cause, the two year restriction above shall be reduced to six
months.

            14.3 During the term of this Agreement and for a period of two years
after the termination of this Agreement for any reason, Employee will not enter
into, and will not participate in, any plan or arrangement to cause any employee
of Employer to terminate his or her employment with Employer, and Employee
agrees that for a period

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of two years after the termination of employment by any employee of Employer,
Employee will not hire such employee in connection with any business initiated
by Employee or any other person, firm or corporation. Employee further agrees
that information as to the capabilities of Employer's employees, their salaries
and benefits, and any other terms of their employment is Confidential
Information and proprietary to Employer.

            14.4 Employee and Employer shall periodically amend this Agreement
by updating the address referenced in Section 14.1.2 of this Agreement so that
it at all times lists the then current geographic area served by Employer for
which Employee performs the duties described in Section 1 of this Agreement.

      15. Miscellaneous.

            15.1 This Agreement, together with Exhibit A, constitutes and
expresses the whole agreement of the parties in reference to the employment of
Employee by Employer, and there are no representations, inducements, promises,
agreements, arrangements, or undertakings oral or written, between the parties
other than those set forth herein.

            15.2 This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Georgia.

            15.3 Should any clause or any other provision of this Agreement be
determined to be void or unenforceable for any reason, such determination shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any clause or provision of this
Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect.

            15.4 Time is of the essence in this Agreement.

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            15.5 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not
be assignable by Employee without the prior written consent of Employer.

            15.6 This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute but a single instrument.

            15.7 Employee represents and warrants that no restrictions or
covenants exist with his current employer which would restrict or prohibit his
performance hereunder. Employee will indemnify and hold harmless Employer
including Employer's attorneys' fees, for any breach of this representation and
warranty.

            15.8 Upon acceptance by all parties, this Agreement shall be
contingent upon a work history, criminal and academic background check of
Employee by Employer, the FDIC and the Georgia Department. In the event that in
the subjective determination of Employer, the FDIC or the Georgia Department,
Employee has been less than forthright in his disclosure of such information to
Employer or that either the FDIC or the Georgia Department object to Employee's
service as President and CEO, without conditions, then this Agreement shall be
null and void other than Employer shall pay to Employee the sum of $41,250, less
any compensation previously paid by Employer to Employee, payable on the date of
the notice hereof.

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

                                            "EMPLOYEE"

                                            ______________________(SEAL)
                                            Gregory F. Patton

                                            "EMPLOYER"

                                            NORTHSIDE BANK, a proposed Georgia
                                            State Banking Corporation

                                            By: ________________________________

                                            Title: _____________________________

                                            "COMPANY"

                                            NORTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC., a
                                            Georgia corporation

                                            By: ________________________________

                                            Title: _____________________________

                                       14<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

INITIALS     NOTE DATE    MATURITY DATE   NOTE AMOUNT     LOAN NUMBER
--------     ---------    -------------   -----------     -----------
  JG          08/16/04      08/16/05       $500,000

RATE           INDEX (w/Margin)         LOAN PURPOSE
----         --------------------       ------------
3.25%        WSJ Prime minus 1.00%       Commercial

                             For Creditors Use Only

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE
                       (Commercial - Draw- Variable Rate)

DATE AND PARTIES. The date of this Promissory Note (Note) is AUGUST 16, 2004.
The parties and their addresses are:

LENDER:

NEXITY BANK
300 PARKBROOKE PLACE, SUITE 370
WOODSTOCK, GEORGIA 30189
678-556-0700

BORROWER

NORTHSIDE BANK, IN ORGANIZATION
HWY 141
NORCROSS, GA. 30092

1. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Note, the terms have the following meanings:

      A. PRONOUNS. The pronouns "I," "me," and "my" refer to each Borrower
signing this Note, individually and together with their heirs, successors and
assigns, and each other person or legal entity (including guarantors, endorsers,
and sureties) who agrees to pay this Note. "You" and "Your" refer to the Lender,
with its participants or syndicators, successors and assigns, or any person or
company that acquires an interest in the Loan.

      B. NOTE. Note refers to this document, and any extensions, renewals,
modifications and substitutions of this Note.

      C. LOAN. Loan refers to this transaction generally, including obligations
and duties arising from the terms of all documents prepared or submitted for
this transaction generally, including obligations and duties arising from the
terms of all documents prepared or submitted for this transaction such as
applications, security agreements, disclosures or notes, and this Note.

      D. PROPERTY. Property is any property real, personal or intangible, that
secures any performance of the obligations of this Loan.

      E. PERCENT. Rates and rate change limitations are expressed as annualized
percentages.

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2. PROMISE TO PAY. For value received, I promise to pay you or your order, at
your address, or at such other location as you may designate, amounts advanced
from time to time under the terms of this Note up to the maximum total principal
balance of $500,000.00 (Principal), plus interest from the date of disbursement,
on the unpaid outstanding Principal balance until this Note matures or this
obligation is accelerated.

3. ADVANCES. Advances under this Note are made according to the following terms
and conditions.

   A. REQUESTS FOR ADVANCES. My requests are a warranty that I am in compliance
with all the Loan documents. When required by you for a particular method of
advance, my requests for an advance must specify the requested amount and the
date and be accompanied with any agreements, documents, and instruments that you
require for the Loan. Any payment by you of any check, share draft or other
charge may, at your option, constitute an advance on the Loan to me. All
advances will be made in United States dollars. I will indemnify you and hold
you harmless for your reliance on any request for advances that you reasonably
believe to be genuine. To the extent permitted by law, I will indemnify you and
hold you harmless when the person making any request represents that I
authorized this person to request an advance even when this person is
unauthorized or this person's signature is not genuine. I or anyone I authorize
to act on my behalf may request advances by the following methods.

   B. Advance Limitations. In addition to any other Loan conditions, requests
for, and access to, advances are subject to the following limitations.

      (1) OBLIGATORY ADVANCES. You will make all Loan advances subject to this
Agreement's terms and conditions.

      (2) ADVANCE AMOUNT. Subject to the terms and conditions contained in this
Note, advances will be made in exactly the amount I request.

      (3) DISBURSEMENT OF ADVANCES. On my fulfillment of this Note's terms and
conditions, you will disburse the advance in any manner as you and I agree.

      (4) CREDIT LIMIT. I understand that you will not ordinarily grant a
request for an advance that would cause the unpaid principal of my Loan to be
greater than the Principal limit. You may, at your option, grant such a request
without obligating yourselves to do so in the future.

      (5) RECORDS. Your records will be conclusive evidence as to the amount of
advances, the Loan's unpaid principal balances and the accrued interest.

4. INTEREST. Interest will accrue on the unpaid Principal balance of this note
at the rate of 3.250 percent (Interest Rate) until AUGUST 17, 2004, after which
time it may change as described in the Variable Rate subsection.

   A. INTEREST AFTER DEFAULT. If you declare a default under the terms of this
Loan, including for failure to pay in full at maturity, you may increase the
Interest Rate payable on the outstanding Principal balance of this Note. In such
event, interest will accrue on the outstanding Principal balance at 18.000
percent until paid in full.

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   B. MAXIMUM INTEREST AMOUNT. Any amount assessed or collected as interest
under the terms of this note or obligation will be limited to the Maximum Lawful
Amount of interest allowed by state or federal law. Amounts collected in excess
of the Maximum Lawful Amount will be applied first to the unpaid principal
balance. Any remainder will be refunded to me.

   C. STATUTORY AUTHORITY. The amount assessed or collected on this Note is
authorized by the Georgia usury laws under Ga. Code title 7, Ch. 4.

   D. ACCRUAL. During the scheduled term of this Loan interest accrues using an
Actual/360 days counting method.

   E. VARIABLE RATE. The Interest Rate may change during the term of this
transaction.

      (1) INDEX. Beginning with the first Change Date, the Interest Rate will be
based on the following index: the highest base rate on corporate loans posted by
at least 75% of the nation's 30 largest banks that The Wall Street Journal
publishes as the Prime Rate. The Current Index is the most recent index figure
available on each Change Date. You do not guaranty by selecting this Index, or
the margin, that the Interest Rate on this Note will be the same rate you charge
on any other loans or class of loans you make to me or other borrowers. If this
Index is no longer available, you will substitute a similar index. You will give
me notice of your choice.

      (2) CHANGE DATE. Each date on which the Interest Rate may change is called
a Change Date. The Interest Rate may change AUGUST 17, 2004 and daily
thereafter.

      (3) CALCULATION OF CHANGE. On each Change Date, you will calculate the
Interest Rate, which will be the current Index minus 1.0 percent. The result of
this calculation will be rounded up to the nearest .001 percent. Subject to any
limitations, this will be the Interest Rate until the next Change Date. The new
Interest Rate will become effective on each Change Date. The Interest Rate and
other charges on this Note will never exceed the highest rate or charge allowed
by law for this Note.

      (4) EFFECT OF VARIABLE RATE. A change in the Interest Rate will have the
following effect on the payments: The amount of scheduled payments and the
amount of the final payment will change.

5. REMEDIAL CHARGES. In addition to interest or other finance charges, I agree
that I will pay these additional fees based on my method and pattern of payment.
Additional remedial charges may be described elsewhere in this Note.

   A. LATE CHARGE. If a payment is more than 10 days late, I will be charged
5.000 percent of the Unpaid Portion of Payment. I will pay this late charge
promptly but only once for each late payment.

6. PAYMENT. I agree to pay this Note in installments of accrued interest
beginning SEPTEMBER 16, 2004, and then on the 16TH day of each month thereafter.
I agree to pay the entire unpaid Principal and any accrued but unpaid interest
on AUGUST 16, 2005. Payments will be rounded up to the nearest $.01. With the
final payment I also agree to pay any additional fees or charges owing and the
amount of any advances you have made to others on my behalf. Payments scheduled
to be paid on the 29th, 30th or 31st day of a

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<PAGE>

month that contains no such day will, instead, be made on the last day of such
month. Each payment I make on this Note will be applied first to interest that
is due then to principal that is due, and finally to any charges that I owe
other than principal and interest. If you and I agree to a different application
of payments, we will describe our agreement on this Note. The actual amount of
my final payment will depend on my payment record.

7. PREPAYMENT. I may prepay this Loan in full or in part at any time. Any
partial prepayment will not excuse any later scheduled payments until I pay in
full.

8. LOAN PURPOSE. This is a business-purpose loan transaction.

9. ADDITIONAL TERMS. Finance Reports: Upon Nexity's request, Borrower, if a
business entity agrees to furnish within one hundred-twenty days after each of
its fiscal year-ends during the term of this loan its balance sheet and the
related statements of income and retained earnings. The reports shall be
audited, if available, or supplemented by the Borrower's tax return if not
audited. Borrower and guarantor's also agrees to provide any other financial
information as may be requested by Nexity from time to time. If the Borrower is
an individual, Borrower is required to provide Nexity financial information as
requested, and in any event a current personal financial statement and tax
return annually. In the event an extension has been filed, a copy will be
provided to Nexity. Failure to comply with this request could result in the
acceleration of the loan and/or demand for payment in full.

10. DEFAULT. I will be in default if any of the following occur:

   A. PAYMENTS. I fail to make a payment in full when due.

   B. INSOLVENCY OR BANKRUPTCY. I make an assignment for the benefit of
creditors or become insolvent, either because my liabilities exceed my assets or
I am unable to pay my debts as they become due; or I petition for protection
under federal, state or local bankruptcy, insolvency or debtor relief laws, or
am the subject of a petition or action under such laws and fail to have the
petition or action dismissed within a reasonable period of time not to exceed 60
days.

   C. BUSINESS TERMINATION. I merge, dissolve, reorganize, end my business or
existence, or a partner or majority owner dies or is declared legally
incompetent.

   D. FAILURE TO PERFORM. I fail to perform any condition or to keep any promise
or covenant of this Note.

   E. OTHER DOCUMENTS. A default occurs under the terms of any other transaction
document.

   F. OTHER AGREEMENTS. I am in default on any other debt or agreement I have
with you.

   G. MISREPRESENTATION. I make any verbal or written statement or provide any
financial information that is untrue, inaccurate, or conceals a material fact at
the time it is made or provided.

   H. JUDGMENT. I fail to satisfy or appeal any judgment against me.

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   I. FORFEITURE. The Property is used in a manner or for a purpose that
threatens confiscation by a legal authority.

   J. NAME CHANGE. I change my name or assume an additional name without
notifying you before making such a change.

   K. PROPERTY TRANSFER. I transfer all or a substantial part of my money or
property.

   L. PROPERTY VALUE. The Value of the Property declines or is impaired.

   M. MATERIAL CHANGE. Without first notifying you, there is a material change
in my business, including ownership, management, and financial conditions.

   N. INSECURITY. You reasonably believe that you are insecure.

11. WAIVERS AND CONSENTS. To the extent not prohibited by law, I waive protest,
presentment for payment, demand, notice of acceleration, notice of intent to
accelerate and notice of dishonor.

   A. ADDITIONAL WAIVERS BY BORROWER. In addition, I, and any party to this Note
and Loan, to the extent permitted by law, consent to certain actions you make
take, and generally waive defenses that may be available based on these actions
or based on the status of a party to this Note.

      (1) You may renew or extend payments on this Note, regardless of the
number of such renewals or extensions.

      (2) You may release any Borrower, endorser, guarantor, surety,
accommodation maker or any other co-signer.

      (3) You may release, substitute or impair any Property securing this Note.

      (4) You, or any institution participating in this Note, may invoke your
right of set-off.

      (5) You may enter into any sales, repurchases or participations of this
Note to any person in any amounts and I waive notice of such sales, repurchases
or participations.

      (6) I agree that any of us signing this Note as a Borrower is authorized
to modify the terms of this Note or any instrument securing, guarantying or
relating to this Note.

      (7) I agree that you may inform any party who guarantees this Loan of any
Loan accommodations, renewals, extensions, modifications, substitutions or
future advances.

   B. NO WAIVER BY LENDER. Your course of dealing, or your forbearance from, or
delay in, the exercise of any of your rights, remedies, privileges or right to
insist upon my strict performance of any provisions contained in this Note, or
other Loan documents, shall not be construed as a waiver by you, unless any such
waiver is in writing and is signed by you.

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12. REMEDIES. After I default, and after you give any legally required notice
and opportunity to cure the default, you may at your option do any one or more
of the following.

   A. ACCELERATION. You may make all or any part of the amount owing by the
terms of this note immediately due.

   B. SOURCES. You may use any and all remedies you have under state or federal
law or in any instrument securing this Note.

   C. INSURANCE BENEFITS. You may make a claim for any and all insurance
benefits or refunds that may be available on my default.

   D. PAYMENTS MADE ON MY BEHALF. Amounts advanced on my behalf will be
immediately due and may be added to the balance owing under the terms of this
Note, and accrue interest at the highest post-maturity interest rate.

   E. TERMINATION. You may terminate my right to obtain advances and may refuse
to make any further extension of credit.

   F. SET-OFF. You may use the right of set-off. This means you may set-off any
amount due and payable under the terms of this Note against any right I have to
receive money from you. My right to receive money from you includes any deposit
or share account balance I have with your; any money owed to me on an item
presented to you or in your possession for collection or exchange; and any
repurchase agreement or other non-deposit obligation. "Any amount due and
payable under the terms of this Note" means the total amount to which you are
entitled to demand payment under the terms of this Note at the time you set-off.
Subject to any other written contract, if my right to receive money from you is
also owned by someone who has not agreed to pay this Note, your right of setoff
will apply to my interest in the obligation and to any other amounts I could
withdraw on my sole request or endorsement. Your right of set-off does not apply
to an account or other obligation where by rights arise only in a representative
capacity. It also does not apply to any Individual Retirement Account or other
tax-deferred retirement account.

      You will not be liable for the dishonor of any check when the dishonor
occurs because you set-off against any of my accounts. I agree to hold you
harmless from any such claims arising as a result of your exercise of your right
of set-off.

   G. WAIVER. Except as otherwise required by law, by choosing any one or more
of these remedies you do not give up your right to use any other remedy. You do
not waive a default if you choose not to use a remedy. By electing not to use
any remedy, you do not waive your right to later consider the event a default
and to use any remedies if the default continues or occurs again.

13. COLLECTION EXPENSES AND ATTORNEYS FEES. On or after Default, to the extent
permitted by law, I agree to pay all expenses of collection, enforcement or
protection of your rights and remedies under this Note. Expenses include, but
are not limited to, attorneys' fees, court costs, and other legal expenses. If
this debt is collected by or through an attorney after maturity, I agree to pay
15 percent of the Principal and interest owing as attorneys' fees. These
expenses are due and payable immediately.

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If not paid immediately, these expenses will bear interest from the date of
payment until paid in full at the highest interest rate in effect as provided
for in the terms of this Note. All fees and expenses will be secured by the
Property I have granted to you, if any. To the extent permitted by the United
States Bankruptcy Code, I agree to pay the reasonable attorneys' fees you incur
to collect this Debt as awarded by any court exercising jurisdiction under the
Bankruptcy Code.

14. WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS. I make to you the following warranties and
representations which will continue as along as this Note is in effect:

   A. POWER. I am duly organized, and validly existing and in good standing in
all jurisdictions in which I operate. I have the power and authority to enter
into this transaction and to carry on my business or activity as it is now being
conducted and, as applicable, am qualified to do so in each jurisdiction in
which I operate.

   B. AUTHORITY. The execution, delivery and performance of this Note and the
obligation evidenced by this Note are within my powers, have been duly
authorized, have received all necessary governmental approval, will not violate
any provision of law, or order of court or governmental agency, and will not
violate any agreement to which I am a party or to which I am or any of my
Property is subject.

   C. NAME AND PLACE OF BUSINESS. Other than previously disclosed in writing to
you I have not changed my name or principal place of business within the last 10
years and have not used any other trade or fictitious name. Without your prior
written consent, I do not and will not use any other name and will preserve my
existing name, trade names and franchises.

15. APPLICABLE LAW. This Note is governed by the laws of Georgia, the United
States of America and to the extent required, by the laws of the jurisdiction
whereby the Property is located. In the event of a dispute, the exclusive forum,
venue and place of jurisdiction will be in Georgia, unless otherwise required by
law.

16. JOINT AND INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY AND SUCCESSORS. My obligation to pay this
Loan is independent of the obligation of any other person who has also agreed to
pay it. You may sue me alone, or anyone else who is obligated on this Loan, or
any number of us together, to collect this Loan. Extending this Loan or new
obligations under this Loan, will not affect my duty under this Loan and I will
still be obligated to pay this Loan. The duties and benefits of this Loan will
bind and benefit the successors and assigns of you and me.

17. AMENDMENT, INTEGRATION AND SEVERABILITY. This Note may not be amended or
modified by oral agreement. No amendment or modification of this Note is
effective unless made in writing and executed by you and me. This Note is the
complete and final expression of the agreement. If any provision of this Note is
unenforceable, then the unenforceable provision will be severed and the
remaining provisions will still be enforceable.

18. INTERPRETATION. Whenever used, the singular includes the plural and the
plural includes the singular. The section headings are for convenience only and
are not to be used to interpret or define the terms of this Note.

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19. NOTICE, FINANCIAL REPORTS AND ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS. Unless otherwise
required by law, any notice will be given by delivering it or mailing it by
first class mail to the appropriate party's address listed in the DATE AND
PARTIES section, or to any other address designated in writing. Notice to one
party will be deemed to be notice to all parties. I will inform you in writing
of any change in my name, address or other application information. I will
provide you any financial statement or information you request. All financial
statements and information I give you will be correct and complete. I agree to
sign, deliver, and file any additional documents or certifications that you may
consider necessary to perfect, continue, and preserve my obligations under this
Loan and to confirm your lien status on any Property. Time is of the essence.

20. CREDIT INFORMATION. I agree to supply you with whatever information you
reasonably request. You will make requests for this information without undue
frequency, and will give me reasonable time in which to supply the information.

21. ERRORS AND OMISSIONS. I agree, if requested by you, to fully cooperate in
the correction, if necessary, in the reasonable discretion of you of any and all
loan closing documents so that all documents accurately describe the loan
between you and me. I agree to assume all costs including by way of illustration
and not limitation, actual expenses, legal fees and marketing loses for failing
to reasonably comply with your requests within thirty (30) days. I understand
that failure to comply with your requests could result in the immediate
acceleration and/or demand of the loan balance in full.

22. AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE. You or I may submit to binding arbitration any
dispute, claim or other matter in question between or among you and me that
arises out of or relates to this Transaction (Dispute), except as otherwise
indicated in this section or as you and I agree to in writing. For purposes of
this section, this Transaction includes this Note and any other documents,
instruments and proposed loans or extensions of credit that relate to this Note.
You or I will not arbitrate any Dispute within any "core proceedings" under the
United States bankruptcy laws. You and I must consent to arbitrate any Dispute
concerning a debt secured by real estate at the time of the proposed
arbitration. You may foreclose or exercise any powers of sale against real
property securing a debt underlying any Dispute before, during or after any
arbitration. You may also enforce a debt secured by this real property and
underlying the Dispute before, during or after any arbitration. You or I may
seek provisional remedies at any time from a court having jurisdiction to
preserve the rights of or to prevent irreparable injury to you or me.
Foreclosing or exercising a power of sale, beginning and continuing a judicial
action or pursuing self-help remedies will not constitute a waiver of the right
to compel arbitration. The arbitrator will determine whether a Dispute is
arbitrable. A single arbitrator will resolve any Dispute, whether individual or
joint in nature, or whether based on contract, tort, or any other matter at law
or in equity. The arbitrator may consolidate any Dispute with any related
disputes, claims or other matters in question not arising out of this
Transaction. Any court having jurisdiction may enter a judgment or decree on the
arbitrator's award. The judgment or decree will be enforced as any other
judgment or decree. You and I acknowledge that the agreements, transactions or
the relationships which result from the agreements or transactions between and
among you and me involve interstate commerce. The United States Arbitration Act
will govern the interpretation and enforcement of this section. The American
Arbitration Association's Commercial Arbitration Rules, in effect on the date of
this Note, will govern the selection of the arbitrator and the arbitration
process, unless otherwise agreed to in this Note or another writing.

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23. WAIVER OF TRIAL FOR ARBITRATION. You and I understand that the parties have
the right or opportunity to litigate any Dispute through a trial by judge or
jury, but that the parties prefer to resolve Disputes through arbitration
instead of litigation. If any Dispute is arbitrated, you and I voluntarily and
knowingly waive the right to have a trial by jury or judge during the
arbitration.

24. SIGNATURES. By signing under seal, I agree to the terms contained in this
Note. I also acknowledge receipt of a copy of this Note.

BORROWER:

NORTHSIDE BANK, IN ORGANIZATION

By _____________________________________  By ___________________________________
         Glenn N. Burns                           William B. Hix

By _____________________________________  By ___________________________________
         Eldon P. Carman                          Charles O. Shultz

By _____________________________________  By ___________________________________
         Robert J. Cox                            William Smith

By _____________________________________  By ___________________________________
         Sandra Gail Doyle                        Orlando Wilson

Georgia Promissory Note 1996 Bankers Systems, Inc., St. Cloud, MN C

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