Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.3

                  WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT

          THIS WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement")
is made and entered into as of the 27th day of October, 1999 (the "Effective
Date"), by and between INTERACTIVE CON-ED.COM, INC., with offices at 7600
Southland Boulevard, Suite 100-320, Orlando, Florida 32809 ("ICE"), and K.TEK
SYSTEMS, INC., with offices at 31640 U.S. Highway 19 N., Palm Harbor, Florida
34684 ("Developer").

 1.       WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT.

         1.1      Pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Developer shall assist in developing a web-based, on-line continuing education
system for providing the delivery of online course content, testing, and
results for ICE (The "Web Site"). In particular, Developer shall furnish all
back-end functionality components for developing that Web Site (including only
the database design and structure, visual basic programmed components, and the
active service pages connectively to and from the database via a standard web
browser) that satisfy the specifications and requirements included on Schedule
A (the "Developer Components"). ICE acknowledges that ICE has hired another
contractor to develop the front-end functionality components for developing the
Web Site (including without limitation the site design and all user interface
components deemed separate from the Developer Components), and that Developer
is not responsible for developing or delivering those components.

                  1.1.1    Developer shall ensure that the Developer
Components of the Web Site will not inhibit the availability of the Web Site to
permitted individuals and/or access devices, as specified and designated by ICE,
to or from which information, graphic or other images, sounds, data and/or any
other digital or electronic content or materials may be perceived, accessed,
transmitted or utilized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Web Site will be accessible through the World Wide Web which is a portion of the
interconnected computer, communications and information network commonly
referred to as the "Internet."

         1.2      ICE acknowledges that the development of the Web Site will be
undertaken jointly by Developer and certain ICE representatives and other
independent contractors (collectively, "Non-Developer Personnel"). ICE shall
ensure that all Non-Developer Personnel involved in the development of the Web
Site perform their respective duties in a professional and timely manner and in
a manner that does not adversely affect or delay the performance by Developer
of its obligations under this Agreement. Additionally, ICE acknowledges that
Developer will develop the Web Site using pre-existing collateral and text to
be provided by ICE. ICE assumes full responsibility for the conceptual
organization of that content and the delivery of those materials on a timely
basis.

         1.3      During the development process, Developer agrees to submit to
ICE, screen shots and other items which Developer has completed in accordance
with ICE's requirements during the development process (each, a "deliverable")
for review. This process is intended to facilitate ICE's ability to review the
items being developed in an efficient and timely manner and provide feedback to
enable Developer to refine and correct, if necessary, any portions of the Web
Site, prior to the date for satisfactory completion set forth in Section 1.2
above.

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         1.4      The parties acknowledge that during development of each
deliverable and the Web Site, changes and/or refinements may be appropriate or
necessary to satisfy ICE's objectives, but which may deviate from the
descriptions, specifications and requirements specified in Schedule A. All
changes, including without limitation changes which may have an impact on the
schedule for completion, the development, implementation, any charges, fees or
prices (including maintenance and support), the functionality or other material
aspects of the Web Site or this Agreement, must be fully documented in writing
and signed by both parties in order to be effective ("Change Order"). Unless a
Change Order is mutually agreed upon and signed by both parties, the scope of
work and the obligations and requirements under this Agreement shall remain
unchanged.

 2.       WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

         2.1      Each party shall designate a project manager to act as the
principal point of interface between Developer and ICE for the development,
delivery, installation and implementation of the Web Site. The project managers
will be responsible for coordinating the work effort, liaising with necessary
internal staff and resolving any issues that may arise. For purposes of this
Agreement, ICE designates Ross Love to serve as its project manager, and
Developer appoints Ron During to serve as its project manager. Either party may
change its project manager at any time by written notice to the other party.
Each party's project manager shall have express authority to act on behalf of
the party with respect to all aspects of this Agreement.

         2.2      Every week during the Web Site development process, Developer
will submit to ICE brief status reports summarizing Developer's activities in
sufficient detail to allow the Developer and ICE project managers to effectively
and meaningfully monitor the progress of the work. If either party requests,
the other party shall participate in conference calls and status meetings to
review the status of project activities.

         2.3      Developer is an independent contractor and its personnel are
not ICE employees or agents for federal tax purposes or any other purposes
whatsoever and are not entitled to any ICE employee benefits. Developer assumes
sole and full responsibility for the acts of its employees and representatives,
and Developer and its personnel have no authority to make commitments, enter
into contracts on behalf of, bind or otherwise obligate ICE in any manner
whatsoever. Likewise, ICE assumes sole and full responsibility for the acts of
its employees, representatives, and all Non-Developer Personnel, and ICE and
the Non-Developer Personnel shall have no authority to make commitments, enter
into contracts on behalf of, bind, or otherwise obligate Developer in any
manner whatsoever. Developer is solely responsible for the compensation of its
personnel assigned to perform services hereunder, as well as the payment of
worker's compensation, disability and any other benefits, unemployment and
other insurance and for withholding social security, income and other taxes for
its employees and independent contractors. ICE is solely responsible for the
compensation of all Non-Developer Personnel assigned to perform services or
provide goods in connection with the development of the Web Site, as well as
the payment of all workers' compensation, disability, and any other benefits,
unemployment and other insurance and for withholding social security, income,
and other taxes payable with respect to the Non-Developer Personnel.

         2.4      Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute,
create, or otherwise give effect to a joint venture, partnership or business
entity of any kind, nor shall anything in this

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Agreement be deemed to constitute either one party the agent of the other.
Neither Developer nor ICE shall be or become liable or bound by any
representation, act or omission whatsoever of the other and the rights and
obligations of the parties shall be limited to those set forth herein.

 3.      ACCEPTANCE TESTING.

         3.1      When the Web Site has been fully developed and completed by
Developer in accordance with the specifications and requirements of ICE set
forth in Schedule A and is in good working order, ready for productive use and
availability to third party access, Developer will notify ICE in writing and
Developer shall begin acceptance testing as described in this Article 3. The
parties acknowledge that completion of the Web Site will also depend extensively
on the timely performance of services and full cooperation by other contractors
involved in the development of the Web Site and by ICE personnel involved in
the development of the Web Site.

         3.2      The acceptance test will be designed and conducted by
Developer for the purpose of demonstrating that the Developer Components of the
Web Site conform to and perform in accordance with ICE's requirements as set
forth in Schedule A (as modified from time to time by written agreement of ICE
and Developer) and any other specifications and documentation prepared by
Developer hereunder. The acceptance test will be conducted by Developer and
sample input, transactions and/or information, representative of ICE's
requirements, transactions, operations, functions and activities, shall be
utilized for the acceptance test. ICE shall provide to Developer on demand all
sample input, transactions and/or information, representative of ICE's
requirements, transactions, operations, functions and activities, that are to
be utilized for the acceptance test.

         3.3      Developer shall conduct an acceptance test promptly upon
completion of the Web Site and in any event not later than two days after the
completion of the Web Site (the "Initial Test"). If it determines that the Web
Site has successfully passed the Initial Test, Developer shall immediately
notify ICE in writing. If it determines that the Web Site has not successfully
passed the Initial Test, ICE shall notify Developer in writing within ten
calendar days after the conclusion of the Initial Test specifying in reasonable
detail in what respects the Web Site has failed to perform and/or conform to
Schedule A. ICE's failure to provide the foregoing notice during that ten-day
period shall constitute ICE's Acceptance (defined below) of the Web Site. If
the Web Site does not pass the Initial Test, Developer shall promptly correct
any deficiencies disclosed by the test. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Acceptance" shall mean ICE's actual or deemed acceptance of the Developer
Components of the Web Site.

         3.4      In the event the Web Site fails the Initial Test, Developer
shall conduct succeeding acceptance tests. If the Web Site passes any
succeeding acceptance tests, Developer shall immediately notify ICE in writing.
If the Web Site fails three acceptance tests (including the Initial Test), ICE
shall have the option of either (a) terminating this Agreement (i) upon payment
to Developer of the Development Fee incurred through the date of the
termination in the event that such failure is not attributable to Developer, or
(ii) without further liability or obligation of any kind to and obtaining a
refund of all the fees previously paid to Developer by ICE hereunder, in the
event that such failure is attributable to Developer, or (b) of continuing the
acceptance testing until the Web Site has successfully passed, with ICE's
option to terminate pursuant to clause 3.4(a) remaining available during any
such continuation; provided however, if ICE elects to continue acceptance
testing the Web Site more than three times, ICE shall pay to

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Developer all hourly fees of Developer through the date of that election for
which Developer has not already been paid (notwithstanding the provisions of
section 5.1(d)) before Developer will have any duty to continue modifying and
testing the Web Site.

 4.      OWNERSHIP RIGHTS.

         4.1      The Developer Components and all related materials provided or
developed by Developer shall remain the sole and exclusive property of Developer
until the Development Fee and other amounts due and payable to Developer under
this Agreement as of Acceptance have been paid in full. Effective upon receipt
of all amounts due under this Agreement as of the effective date of Acceptance,
Developer assigns and transfers to ICE all of its right, title, and interest
in, to, and under the Web Site and the computer code, programs and documentation
developed or created hereunder (including source code and object code) and all
forms, images and text viewable on the Internet, any HTML or XTML elements
relating thereto, designs, products, drawings, documentation, information,
deliverables and other materials made and developed in connection with this
Agreement and the development and the ongoing maintenance and support of the
Web Site, whether as individual items or a combination of components (the
"Custom Materials"). Upon receipt of all amounts due to Developer under this
Agreement as of the Acceptance, the Custom Materials shall be deemed to be
"works made for hire" made in the course of services rendered under this
Agreement; provided, however, that if and to the extent title to any Custom
Materials does not vest in ICE as contemplated hereunder or is not covered by
any statute clearly vesting title in ICE, then the Developer hereby agrees to
irrevocably assign all right, title and interest therein to ICE once ICE has
met all of its obligations under this Agreement. Upon payment of all amounts
due to Developer under this Agreement as of Acceptance, ICE has the sole right
to obtain, hold and renew in its own name and for its own benefit, any and all
patents, copyrights, registrations and other similar protections in the Custom
Materials and Developer will cooperate with ICE and execute all documents
necessary to enable ICE to perfect, preserve, register and record its rights
therein. Upon payment of all amounts due to Developer under this Agreement as
of Acceptance, Developer irrevocably waives and relinquishes any so-called
"moral rights" in and to the Custom Materials, which shall not be construed to
prohibit the Customer Materials from being acknowledged as having been
developed by Developer for ICE.

                  4.1.1    Upon receipt of all amounts due to it under this
Agreement (regardless of whether ICE elects to complete the Web Site), Developer
shall, immediately upon request or upon the completion of the Web Site and/or
the termination or expiration of this Agreement, turn over to ICE any and all
such Custom Materials and any ICE documents, information and/or other materials
held by or on behalf of Developer in whatever form or media, together with all
copies thereof.

         4.2      It is acknowledged that any and all ICE corporate identifiers,
brand names, marks, artwork, logos, graphics, video, text, data and other
materials supplied by or on behalf of ICE in connection with this Agreement, as
well as the domain name or names assigned to the Web Site (the "ICE Content")
and all rights with respect thereto, shall remain the sole and exclusive
property of ICE.

         4.3      Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to
transfer, convey or assign to ICE any of Developer's rights in any processes,
procedures, software, information or other intellectual property which was
previously owned by Developer, prior to the provision of

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 the Custom Materials and services furnished hereunder and/or created
 independently and without reference to any materials or information of ICE
 ("Pre-Existing Works"); provided, however, that if and to the extent any
 Pre-Existing Works are or have been provided to ICE as part of the development
 of the Custom Materials and Web Site hosting project contemplated by this
 Agreement, Developer hereby grants to ICE a royalty-free, irrevocable,
 worldwide, perpetual license in and to such Pre-Existing Works owned by
 Developer, to use same in conjunction with the Custom Materials. Each such
 License includes the right to make and keep copies of each such Pre-Existing
 Work for backup and archival purposes. Developer further agrees that ICE shall
 have the right to enhance, modify and/or adapt any such Pre-Existing Works and
 associated documentation and materials provided to ICE hereunder and may
 create and use derivative works within the scope of the license granted
 hereunder and may use and combine such Pre-Existing Works with other programs
 and/or materials. In the event of any termination by ICE as a result of a
 material breach of this Agreement by Developer and upon payment of all amounts
 due to Developer under this Agreement, ICE shall, effective as of the date of
 such termination, continue to have a license to use such Pre-Existing Works
 and associated documentation and other items related thereto, without further
 charge or fee, but otherwise subject to and in accordance with the provisions
 of this Agreement.

 5.      COMPENSATION.

         5.1      In consideration for the development, testing, implementation
and establishment of the Developer Components of the Web Site, ICE shall pay to
Developer a fee based on Developer's hourly rate (the "Hourly Rate") and the
number of hours of work provided by Developer for those activities (the
"Development Fee"). From the effective date of this Agreement through January
31, 2000, Developer's Hourly Rate will be $150 per man hour worked. Thereafter,
Developer's Hourly Rate will increase in accordance with its standard
practices. ICE shall pay the Development Fee as follows: (a) $12,187.50 on or
before the date of this Agreement: (b) $ 12,187.50 on or before November 3,
1999; (c) $12,187.50 on or before November 12, 1999; and (d) the balance of the
Development Fee upon Acceptance of the Web Site as described in Article 3
above. For any other work requested by ICE, ICE shall pay to Developer a fee
based on the number of hours of work provided at the Hourly Rate; provided,
however, that prior to the commencement by Developer of any such other work,
ICE shall approve orally or in writing Developer's written estimate of the
number of hours required to complete any such request.

         5.2      Payment of the Development Fee is due on the dates specified
in sections 3.4 and 5.1, and a late charge of 1-1/2% per month is payable on
demand on any installment of the Development Fee that is not paid within 10
calendar days after it is due.

         Payment of every invoice issued by Developer for non-development
services is due in full upon receipt, and a late charge of 1-1/2% per month is
payable on demand on any invoice balance that is not paid within 10 calendar
days after the date of the invoice. ICE shall pay all amounts due to Developer
under this Agreement in cash or by bank or corporate check and in United States
dollars. Developer reserves the right to suspend (without notice or penalty)
its services if any amount owed to it is not paid in full when due. If
collection action becomes necessary, ICE shall pay all costs and expenses
incurred by Developer in collecting any amount owed to Developer, including
legal fees incurred before and after demand or the commencement of a legal
proceeding, whether incurred pursuant to trial, appellate, mediation,
arbitration, bankruptcy, or judgment-execution proceedings.

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        5.3       Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
 Developer is not obligated under this Agreement to purchase or provide any
 hardware or software to ICE. If, during the term of this Agreement, the parties
 determine that hardware or software is required to complete the Web Site or
 the Custom Materials, ICE shall arrange for the purchase of those items
 directly and shall pay all costs associated with the procurement and purchase
 of those items. With respect to additional services and out of pocket expenses
 approved in advance by ICE, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon, Developer
 may invoice ICE monthly after such services are rendered or expenses incurred,
 accompanying such invoices with documentation adequate for ICE to review and
 reasonably approve.

         5.4      Pursuant to ICE's request, Developer previously estimated that
the Development Fee for the Developer Components of the Web Site as described
in Schedule A will be $48,750.00. Nevertheless, ICE acknowledges that the total
Development Fee for the Developer Components of the Web Site is difficult to
estimate with any reasonable degree of accuracy because so much of the required
work is affected by events and actions beyond Developer's control; provided,
however, that any fees in excess of $48,750 shall require the prior written
approval of ICE which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. The
Development Fee ultimately could exceed $48,750.00. Accordingly, that estimate
does not constitute a fixed, maximum, or guaranteed Development Fee. The actual
fee could be more depending on the amount of work needed or requested by ICE.
Moreover, unless Developer agrees in writing to perform a particular service
for a fixed fee payable in advance, all budgets and estimates provided by
Developer pursuant to this Agreement are subject to unforeseeable events and
circumstances and do not constitute fixed, maximum, or guaranteed fees for the
work to be provided.

         5.5      Regardless of whether this Agreement is terminated, ICE shall
remain liable to Developer for all services provided by Developer through the
effective date of the termination. The provisions of sections 5.1 through 5.5
of this Agreement will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

6.       WARRANTIES.

         6.1      Developer represents and warrants that: (a) Developer is a
corporation organized, existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation; (b) the execution, delivery, and performance
of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all requisite action of
Developer will not conflict with its bylaws or articles of incorporation, will
not constitute a breach or violation of, or a default under, or require any
consent under, any contract, agreement, indenture, instrument, mortgage, lease,
promissory note, or other commitment, or any decree, judgment, order, or other
edict to which Developer is a party or any of its property is subject, or
violate any local, state, federal, or foreign law, rule, policy, statute, or
regulation; (c) this Agreement is a valid, binding, and effective and
enforceable obligation of Developer; (d) the Developer Components of the Web
Site, including, without limitation, the Custom Materials, will be designed,
developed, and will operate at the time delivered to ICE (but before publicly
displayed or launched) in conformance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, including, but not limited to Schedule A; (e) all services to be
provided by Developer under this Agreement will be performed and rendered by
qualified personnel in a professional manner; (f) Developer has full authority
to provide the services and deliver the Custom Materials and that Developer
will comply with any and all federal, state and local laws

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and regulations applicable to or associated with the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement; (g) at the time delivered to ICE (but before
publicly displayed or launched) neither the Developer Components of the Web
Site, nor Custom Materials, nor any component thereof shall contain any
malicious or unauthorized instructions (including, without limitation, so
called "computer viruses", "worms", "trap" or "back doors" or "Trojan horses")
or any other instructions, codes, programs or materials which could improperly,
wrongfully and/or without authorization, interfere with the operation or the
use of same; and (h) at the time delivered to ICE (but before publicly
displayed or launched) neither the Developer Components of the Web Site, nor
Custom Materials, nor any component thereof, shall be incorrect, invalid or
materially adversely affected in any manner based on a change in date, year,
century or otherwise and that, if applicable, shall include date data century
recognition, calculations which accommodate same century and multi-century date
values and formulae, as well as date data interfaces (to application and
operating system software, as applicable) that reflect the correct century.

         6.2      ICE warrants, covenants, and represents to Developer; (a) ICE
is a corporation organized, existing, and in good standing under the laws of
the State of Delaware; (b) the execution, delivery, and performance of this
Agreement have been duly authorized by all requisite action of ICE, will not
conflict with its bylaws or articles of incorporation, will not constitute a
breach or violation of, or a default under, or require any consent under, any
contract, agreement, indenture, instrument, mortgage, lease, promissory note,
or other commitment, or any decree, judgment, order, or other edict to which
ICE is a party or any of its property is subject, or violate any local, state,
federal, or foreign law, rule, policy, statute, or regulation; (c) this
Agreement is a valid, binding, and effective and enforceable obligation of ICE;
(d) ICE has trained personnel who are capable of assisting with the development
of the Web Site and with launching, operating, and maintaining the Web Site;
(e) ICE will provide in a timely manner, all software, hardware, materials,
personnel, contractors, and other materials and personnel requested by
Developer to assist with the development of the Web Site and Custom Materials,
including without limitation all materials to be included on the Web Site; (f)
ICE will provide in a timely manner all input requested by Developer with
respect to the Web Site and Custom Materials; (g) ICE shall provide timely
feedback on all work in progress on an ongoing basis, including scheduled
review dates; and (h) upon completion of the Web Site, ICE shall complete,
execute, and return to Developer the Web Site Approval Form attached to this
Agreement as Schedule B.

         6.2 EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH ABOVE, NONE OF THE PARTIES HERETO
MAKE ANY OTHER OR DIFFERENT REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES TO THE OTHER, WHETHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

7.       INDEMNITY.

         7.1      Developer, at its sole cost and expense, will defend and/or
handle any claim or action against ICE for: (i) actual or alleged infringement
of any patent, copyright, intellectual or industrial property right or any
other similar right (including, but not limited to, misappropriation of trade
secrets) based on the Developer Components of the Web Site, Custom Materials,
any deliverables, information, materials and/or any items furnished by
Developer or the use and operation thereof (but excluding any data,
information, and images provided by ICE or any Non-Developer Personnel to
Developer for use on the Web Site, for which Developer assumes no

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responsibility or liability); and (ii) Developer's violation of or
non-compliance with any law or regulation governing the performance of its
obligations hereunder. Developer shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless
ICE, its officers, directors, shareholders, agents, employees, contractors, and
their respective successors, assigns and heirs, against and from any and all
liability, loss, cost, injury, damage, and expense (including but not limited
to reasonable attorney's fees and expenses) of any kind whatsoever arising out
of, on account of, or related to a material breach of any representation or
warranty of Developer, the material breach by Developer of any provision of
this Agreement, all actual or alleged infringement of any patent, copyright,
intellectual or industrial property right or any other similar right
(including, but not limited to, misappropriation of trade secrets) based on
Custom Materials provided by Developer, Developer's violation of or
non-compliance with any law or regulation governing the performance of its
obligations hereunder, or any loss, theft, or misappropriation of property
arising from an act or omission of Developer or its agents, officers,
directors, employees, shareholders, or representatives. ICE will give Developer
prompt notice of any such claim or action and copies of all papers served upon
or received by ICE relating to same. The Developer shall have the right to
conduct the defense of any such claim or action, consistent with ICE's rights
hereunder, and all negotiations for its settlement or compromise; provided,
however, that ICE may, at its own expense, participate in such defense or
negotiations to protect its own interests.

         7.2      ICE shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Developer, its
officers, directors, shareholders, agents, employees, contractors, and their
respective successors, assigns and heirs, against and from any and all
liability, loss, cost, injury, damage, and expense (including but not limited
to reasonable attorney's fees and expenses) of any kind whatsoever arising out
of, on account of, or related to ICE's use or operation of the Web Site, a
breach of any representation or warranty of ICE, the breach by ICE of any
provision of this Agreement, all actual or alleged infringement of any patent,
copyright, intellectual or industrial property right or any other similar right
(including, but not limited to, misappropriation of trade secrets) based on
materials provided by ICE for use in the Web Site, Custom Materials, or any
deliverables, ICE's violation of or non-compliance with any law or regulation
governing the performance of its obligations hereunder, or any loss, theft, or
misappropriation of property arising from an act or omission of ICE or its
agents, officers, directors, employees, shareholders, or representatives.
Developer will give ICE prompt notice of any such claim or action and copies of
all papers served upon or received by Developer relating to same. ICE shall
have the right to conduct the defense of any such claim or action, consistent
with Developer's rights hereunder, and all negotiations for its settlement or
compromise; provided, however, that Developer may, at its own expense,
participate in such defense or negotiations to protect its own interests.

                  The indemnities provided by this Section 7 shall survive the
expiration or termination of this Agreement.

8.       Non-Solicitation.

         8.1      During the term of this Agreement and for a period of five
years after the expiration or termination of this Agreement, neither party
shall, directly or indirectly, in any capacity, either for itself or on behalf
of any other person, do any of the following: (a) hire, recruit, or offer to
hire any person who either is or was an agent, officer, director, employee,
shareholder, or independent contractor of the other party (the "Non-Soliciting
Party"), at any time during the term of this Agreement or offer, induce,
recruit, solicit, influence, or attempt to influence any agent,

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officer, director, employee, shareholder, or independent contractor of the
Non-Soliciting Party to terminate her or his service with the non-soliciting
party for the purpose of working for the Soliciting party or any other person,
whether or not a competitor of the Non-Soliciting Party; or (b) persuade or
attempt to persuade any agent, vendor, supplier, customer, insurance company,
independent contractor, or other person who has a business or professional
relationship with Non-Soliciting Party to cease to do business with the
Non-Soliciting Party, reduce the amount of business that it historically has
done with the Non-Soliciting Party, or otherwise adversely alter its business
or professional relationship with the Non-Soliciting Party.

         The parties stipulate that a breach by either party (the "Breaching
Party") of any of the covenants in this Section and Section 9 will diminish the
value of the other party (the "Non-Breaching Party") and will cause irreparable
and continuing injury to the Non-Breaching Party for which an adequate legal
remedy will not exist. Accordingly, the parties stipulate that, if either party
breaches any of the covenants in this Section or Section 9 and fails to cure
the breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the Non-Breaching Parry within ten
days after the Non-Breaching Party gives it notice of the breach, the
Non-Breaching Party will be entitled to the following remedies, without
excluding any other available remedy; (i) entry by a court having jurisdiction
of an order granting specific performance or temporary injunctive relief, upon
the posting of any requisite bond and the filing with the court of an
appropriate pleading and affidavit specifying each obligation breached by the
Breaching Party, but without proof of actual monetary damage or an inadequate
remedy at law; (ii) if a court having jurisdiction determines for any reason
that the Non-Breaching Party is not entitled to injunctive relief, the recovery
from the Breaching Party of all profit, remuneration, or other consideration
that the Breaching Party gains from breaching the covenant; and (iii)
reimbursement from the Breaching Parry of all costs incurred by the
Non-Breaching Party in enforcing the covenant or otherwise defending or
prosecuting any mediation, arbitration, or litigation arising out of the
covenant. The Non-Breaching Party may exercise any of the foregoing remedies
concurrently, independently, or successively.

         The covenants on the part of ICE and Developer in this Section and
Section 9 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement and the
termination of any other agreements between ICE and Developer.

9.       CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

         9.1      ICE Confidential Information. In the course of performing
services pursuant to this Agreement, Developer may obtain or be given access to
certain confidential and/or proprietary data, records, materials, information
and trade secrets relating to publications, financial reports, business
operations, strategic plans and other confidential, proprietary, sensitive
and/or trade secret information of ICE, its employees, clients, suppliers,
customers and/or other entities (the "ICE Confidential Information"). The ICE
Confidential Information is of a highly sensitive nature, representing special,
valuable and unique commercial assets, and its disclosure and/or unauthorized
or improper use would be materially damaging to said entities. Developer and
its employees and agents will hold in strict confidence and trust all ICE
Confidential Information. Developer will not, directly or indirectly, disclose
any of the ICE Confidential Information or make it available to any third parry
or use it for its benefit or the benefit of any third party unless specific
written authorization is received from ICE, Developer agrees not to make copies
of any ICE Confidential Information except as required in the course of
performing services hereunder. Developer will not disclose the ICE Confidential
Information to any of its employees or agents, except those with a "need to
know" for the sole purpose of

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performing services hereunder and then, only to the extent required. Developers
agrees to apply at least the same degree of care in safeguarding the ICE
Confidential Information that it uses to protect its own most valuable
proprietary information and material against any unauthorized or unlawful use,
disclosure, dissemination or copying.

         9.2      Developer Confidential Information. During the term of this
Agreement, ICE may obtain or be given access to certain confidential and/or
proprietary data, records, materials, information and trade secrets relating to
publications, financial reports, business operations, strategic plans,
intellectual property (including without limitation all patents, trademarks,
trade names, service marks, and copyrighted materials, all ideas, methods,
concepts, inventions, and advertising and promotional materials of Developer),
and other confidential, proprietary, sensitive and/or trade secret information
of Developer, its employees, clients, suppliers, customers and/or other
entities (the "Developer Confidential Information." The Developer Confidential
Information is of a highly sensitive nature, representing special, valuable and
unique commercial assets, and it disclosure and/or unauthorized or improper use
would be materially damaging to said entities. ICE and its employees and agents
will hold in strict confidence and trust all Developer Confidential
Information. ICE will not, directly or indirectly, disclose any of the
Developer Confidential Information or make it available to any third party or
use it for its benefit or the benefit of any third party unless specific
written authorization is received from Developer. ICE agrees not to make copies
of any Developer Confidential Information except as required in the course of
assisting Developer in providing services hereunder, ICE will not disclose the
Developer Confidential Information to any of its employees or Agents, except
those with a "need to know" for the sole purpose of assisting Developer in
providing the services hereunder and then, only to the extent required. ICE
agrees to apply at least the same degree of care in safeguarding the Developer
Confidential Information that it uses to protect its own most valuable
proprietary information and material against any unauthorized or unlawful use,
disclosure, dissemination or copying.

10.      TERMINATION OF PROJECT PROPOSAL AGREEMENT.

         10.1     THE parties hereby agree that certain Project Proposal
Agreement, dated as of October 26, 1999, entered into between World Health CME,
on behalf of ICE, and Developer shall be terminated in its entirety and shall
be of no further force and effect.

11.      GENERAL

         11.1     Term & Termination: This Agreement shall commence as of the
date first written above and shall continue in full force and effect thereafter
unless and until terminated as permitted hereunder. Either party may terminate
this Agreement upon at least thirty (30) calendar days' advance written notice
to the other party. If one party materially breaches any provision of this
Agreement, the other party may (reserving cumulatively all other remedies and
rights under this Agreement and in law and in equity) terminate this Agreement
by giving the other party at least twenty (20) calendar days' written notice;
provided, however, that such termination shall not be effective if the party in
breach has cured the breach of which it has been notified prior to the
expiration of said twenty (20) days. This Agreement may be terminated by either
party immediately by providing written notice to the other party upon the
occurrence of any of the following events: (i) if the other parry ceases to do
business, or otherwise terminates its business operations or if there is a
material change in control of the other party (other than a merger of ICE with
Corpas Investments, Inc.; or (ii) if the other party becomes insolvent or seeks

                                      -10-

<PAGE>   11

protection under any bankruptcy, receivership, trust deed, creditors
arrangement, composition or comparable proceeding, or if any such proceeding is
instituted against the other party (and not dismissed within 30 calendar days).

         11.2     Limitation of Liability: EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN,
IN NO EVENT WILL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE, TO THE OTHER OR TO ANY THIRD PARTY,
FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES IN ANY MANNER IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR
THE DEVELOPMENT OR USE OF THE WEB SITE OR CUSTOM MATERIALS, REGARDLESS OF THE
FORM OF ACTION OR THE BASIS OF THE CLAIM (WHETHER FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT,
BREACH OF WARRANTY, STRICT TORT, NEGLIGENCE, OR OTHERWISE) OR WHETHER OR NOT
THE PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES (INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION LOSS OF PROFITS OR DATA, LOSS OF SAVINGS OR REVENUE, LOSS OF
USE OF THE WEB SITE, COST OF ANY SUBSTITUTE PROPERTY, DOWNTIME, THE CLAIMS OF
THIRD PARTY CUSTOMERS OF ICE, AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY). DEVELOPER IS NOT LIABLE
FOR COSTS OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES. THE LIABILITY OF
EITHER PARTY (IF ANY) ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR RELATING TO THE WEB SITE
OR CUSTOM MATERIALS (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 7 OF THIS AGREEMENT)
SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT PAID BY ICE TO DEVELOPER PURSUANT TO
THIS AGREEMENT. THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED BY THIS SECTION 11.2 SHALL APPLY
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OR ANY LIMITED OR EXCLUSIVE
REMEDY.

         11.3     Excusable Delay: Except with respect to payment obligations,
neither party will be liable to the other for any delay or failure to perform
its obligations under this Agreement due to causes beyond its control and
without its fault or negligence.

         11.4     Assignment: Except in connection with a merger, sale,
transfer, conveyance, acquisition or other corporate reorganization or change in
control or ownership relating to all or any material portion of its stock,
assets, operations or business, neither parry may assign, transfer or
subcontract this Agreement and/or any rights and/or obligations hereunder,
without the advance written consent of the other and any attempt to do so shall
be void.

         11.5     Notices: Notices shall be in writing and delivered personally,
mailed, first class mail, postage prepaid, or sent by electronic or other means
that provides for confirmation of receipt, to the addresses of the parties
indicated in the first paragraph of this Agreement, or to any other address or
addressee requested by written notice. All notices shall be deemed given on the
date delivered or when placed in the mail or when confirmation is received, as
specified herein.

         11.6     Advertising: Neither party will disclose the specific terms of
this Agreement, or use the other party's and/or any of its customers' names or
marks, or refer to the other party or any of its customers in any advertising,
publicity releases or marketing or similar written communication, without the
other party's prior written approval, which it shall not unreasonably withhold.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Developer may indicate to third parties that it
jointly developed the Web Site without obtaining ICE's prior written approval.

                                     -11-
<PAGE>   12

         11.7     Governing Law & Interpretation: This Agreement shall be
construed and enforced under the substantive laws of the State of Florida,
without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. Headings are solely for
reference and shall not affect the meaning of any terms. If any part of this
Agreement is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions
will be unimpaired. In addition, if any one or more of the provisions contained
in this Agreement shall for any reason in any jurisdiction be held excessively
broad as to time, duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, it shall
be construed, by limiting and reducing it, so as to be enforceable to the
extent compatible with the applicable law of such jurisdiction as it shall then
appear. No modification, course of conduct, amendment, supplement to or waiver
of this Agreement or any provisions hereof shall be binding upon the parties
unless made in writing and duly signed by both parties. At no time shall a
failure or delay in enforcing any provisions, exercising any option or
requiring performance, be construed to be a waiver.

         The parties (a) consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and
federal courts having jurisdiction over Hillsborough County, Florida, (b)
stipulate that the proper, exclusive, and convenient venues for all legal
proceedings arising out of this Agreement are Hillsborough County, Florida, for
state court proceedings, and the Middle District of Florida for federal court
proceedings, and (c) waive any defense, whether asserted by motion or pleading,
that Hillsborough County, Florida, or the Middle District of Florida are
improper or inconvenient venues, The provisions of this section shall survive
the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

         11.8     Entirety: All schedules referred to in this Agreement are
incorporated into and constitute a part of this Agreement as if fully set forth
herein. This Agreement and the Schedules attached to it constitute the entire
agreement between the parties and supersede all previous agreements, promises,
proposals, representations, understandings and negotiations, whether written or
oral, between the parties respecting the subject matter hereof.

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

                                    INTERACTIVE CON-ED.COM, INC.

                                    By: /s/ Lawrence R. Kuhnert
                                       -------------------------------------
                                    Name:   Lawrence R. Kuhnert
                                         -----------------------------------
                                                      [Print]
                                    Title: President
                                          ----------------------------------

                                    K.TEK SYSTEMS, INC.

                                    By: /s/ Ronald A. Ducing
                                       -------------------------------------
                                    Name:   Ronald A. Ducing
                                         -----------------------------------
                                                      [Print]
                                    Title: Vice President
                                          ----------------------------------

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

                                   Schedule A

                  SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR WEB SITE

     - Membership Interface:
The primary entry point for the site, this will control new member
registrations, existing membership authentications, and notices to membership
and entry/exit to the email list serves. Functionality includes new membership
profiles (a primary table source), main site entry via .asp authentication
methods and the ability to sign up for one or more list serves. The design of
this site includes a basic membership registration form, authentication login
via .asp and SQL and a list serve signup form with high code commenting.

     - Data Collection:
This section includes an information request form and the access point for
various online surveys that can either be calculated for raw outcome or stored
and referenced via a weighted schema output. One generic information request
form and one survey of the client's choice (10 questions) is included with the
ability to generate survey reports via Crystal Reports Web Server. The
information request form will be archived in a client table with the request
sent to an email address.

     - Resource Query:
This area includes a FAQ database, product review section and a news articles
section with most data accessed via dynamic query to the database. This site
includes one 10-question FAQ database (indexed and searchable), one product
review section with one product and one news article in the articles section.

     - Classroom:
Section that includes area for download of curriculum which
can be in text, MS Word, PDF, audio, or video format. Interfacing Microsoft
"Active Streaming" capabilities within the site to allow for a conversion of
digital voice and video content to enable "streaming" over the Internet. This
includes the conversion of one audio and one video track for proof of concept.
Also, a testing center with one multiple choice test that is graded with a
place where members can view there testing history such as test results and
listing of all tests that were taken.

     - Personal Web:
Web template design to allow site creation and design (within template
guidelines) by members. It will allow for the inclusion of basic graphics
(supplied by members.) It includes the basic web creation template.

     - Commerce:
This area offers an online catalog with the ability to purchase via "shopping
cart" technology and use credit card authorization. It includes an catalog with
3 initial items and the implementation of the purchasing interface for
promotional purposes.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>   14

     - Administrative Interface:
The second "heart" of this site, it includes templates to update various
portions of SQL data and site design.

     - SQL Database Modeling & Design

                                      A-2<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

                         LOAN AND STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT

         THIS LOAN AND STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), entered into as
of April 3, 2000, between APPALACHIAN BANCSHARES, INC., a Georgia corporation
(the "Borrower"), and Crescent Bank and Trust Company, a Georgia banking
corporation (the "Lender").

         On the date hereof the Borrower is borrowing the principal amount of
$4,600,000 from the Lender (the "Loan"), which will be evidenced by the Note.
The Leader is willing to make the Loan to the Borrower on the terms and
conditions described below. The Borrower and Lender agree that the payment and
performance of all obligations relating to the Loan will be secured through the
pledge to the Lender of all the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock
owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower (the "Stock") in GILMER COUNTY BANK,
having its main office at 829 Industrial Boulevard, Ellijay, Georgia 30540
("Gilmer"), and APPALACHIAN COMMUNITY BANK, having its main office at 236
Highway 515, Blairsville, Georgia 30512 ("Appalachian"). Certain capitalized
terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 22 of this Agreement.

         In consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements and
representations in this Agreement, the Lender and the Borrower agree as follows:

         1.       Security Interest.

                  (a)      The Borrower hereby unconditionally grants and
assigns to the Lender and its successors and assigns a continuing security
interest in and security title to the Stock. The Borrower hereby delivers to the
Lender all of its right, title and interest in and to the Stock, together with
certificates representing the Stock and stock powers endorsed in blank, as
security for (i) all obligations of the Borrower to the Lender hereunder, and
(ii) payment and performance of all obligations of the Borrower to the Leader
under the Note, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or
hereafter existing, or due or to become due. If the Borrower receives, for any
reason whatsoever, any additional shares of the capital stock of the Bank, such
shares shall thereupon constitute Stock to be held by the Lender under the terms
of this Agreement and the Borrower shall immediately deliver such shares to the
Lender, together with stock powers endorsed in blank by the Borrower. Beneficial
ownership of the Stock, including all voting, consensual and dividend rights,
shall remain in the Borrower until the occurrence of a Default.

                  (b)      If, prior to repayment in full of the Loan, the
aggregate book value of the Stock becomes less than 200% of the outstanding Loan
balance, the Borrower shall promptly deliver to the Lender on demand additional
collateral of a type and value acceptable to the Lender (and the Lender's
judgment in valuing same shall be conclusive) so that the sum of the value of
such additional collateral plus the aggregate book value of the Stock is equal
to or in excess of 200% of the outstanding Loan balance. The Borrower shall also
execute any security documents the Lender may request to evidence and perfect
the Lender's rights in such additional collateral. If

<PAGE>   2

at any time such additional collateral is no longer required pursuant to this
Section 1(b), the Lender shall release its security interest in such additional
collateral upon the request of the Borrower.

         2.       Representations and Warranties. The Borrower represents and
warrants to the Lender as follows:

                  (a)      The Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Georgia and is
qualified to do business in all jurisdictions where such qualification is
necessary. The Borrower is registered as a bank holding company with the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Georgia Department of Banking
and Finance. The chief executive office of the Borrower and the principal place
of business of the Borrower where the records of the Borrower are located at 829
Industrial Boulevard, Ellijay, Georgia 30540 (Gilmer County), and the Borrower's
U.S. employer identification number is 58-2242407.

                  (b)      The Bank is a banking corporation duly organized,
validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Georgia.
The Borrower owns all the Stock (consisting of 586,000 shares of Gilmer and
75,000 shares of Appalachian) and there are no other outstanding shares of
capital stork and no outstanding options, warrants or other rights which can be
converted into shards of capital stock of the Bank. The Bank has all requisite
corporate power and authority and possesses all licenses, permits and
authorizations necessary for it to own its properties and conduct its business
as presently conducted.

                  (c)      Each financial statement of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary which has been delivered to the Lender presents fairly the financial
condition of the Borrower or such Subsidiary as of the date indicated therein
and the results of its operations for the periods shown therein. There has been
no material adverse change, either existing or threatened, in the financial
condition or operations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary since the date of such
financial statement.

                  (d)      The Borrower has full power and authority to execute
and perform the Financing Documents. The execution, delivery, and performance by
the Borrower of the Financing Documents (i) have been duly authorized by all
requisite action by the Borrower, (ii) do not violate any provision of law, and
(iii) do not result in a breach of or constitute a default under any agreement
or other instrument to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party or which
the Borrower or any Subsidiary is bound. Each of the Financing Documents
constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Borrower enforceable
in accordance with its terms.

                  (e)      Except for the security interest created by this
Agreement, the Borrower owns the Stock free and clear of all liens, charges, and
encumbrances, except as may be retired through the proceeds of this transaction.
The Stock is duly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the Borrower has
the unencumbered right to pledge the Stock.

                  (f)      There is no action, arbitration, or other proceeding
at law or in equity, or by or before any court, agency, or arbitrator, nor is
there any judgment, order, or other decree pending, anticipated, or threatened
against the Borrower or any Subsidiary or against any of their properties

                                       2

<PAGE>   3

or assets which might have a material adverse effect on the Borrower, any
Subsidiary, or their respective properties or assets, or which might call into
question the validity or enforceability of the Financing Documents, or which
might involve the alleged violation by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any
law, rule or regulation.

                  (g)      No consent or other authorization or filing with or
of any governmental authority or other public body on the part of the Borrower
or any Subsidiary is required in connection with the Borrower's execution,
delivery, or performance of the Financing Documents; or if required, all such
prerequisites have been fully satisfied.

                  (h)      None of the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement (including, without limitation, the use of the proceeds of the Loan)
will violate or result in a violation, of Section 7 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, or any regulations issued pursuant thereto.

                  (i)      The following documents have been presented under
separate cover as exhibits hereto: true, correct and complete copies of (i) the
Borrower's, Gilmer's and Appalachian's articles of incorporation as in effect as
of the data hereof ; (if) the bylaws of the Borrower in effect immediately prior
to the adoption of the resolutions referred to below (and such bylaws have not
been further altered or amended and have been in full force and effect at all
times since the adoption of such resolutions through the date hereof); (iii) the
bylaws of Gilmer and of Appalachian as of the date hereof; (iv) resolutions (the
"Resolutions") of the Board of Directors of the Borrower (x)duly adopted at a
meeting duly called at which a quorum was present or (y) by unanimous written
consent, and the Resolutions have been since adoption and are now in full force
and effect and have not been modified in any respect. There have been no further
amendments or other documents affecting or altering the Borrower's, Gilmer's or
Appalachian's articles of incorporation since the date of the certifications
referred to above through the date hereof, and the Borrower, Gilmer and
Appalachian have remained in valid existence under the laws of the State of
Georgia since such dates.

         3.       Affirmative Covenants. The Borrower agrees that so long as the
Note is outstanding or this Agreement is in effect:

                  (a)      The Borrow shall promptly furnish to the Lender: (i)
not later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, audited consolidated
financial statements of the Borrower prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and certified by an independent
accounting firm acceptable to the Lender; (ii) not later than 45 days after each
of the first three quartets of each fiscal year, unaudited consolidated
financial statements of the Borrower, prepared in accordance with GAAP (subject
to changes resulting from normal year-end adjustments and without notes thereto)
and certified by the chief financial officer of the Borrower; (iii) not later
than 30 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each year,
copies of the Report of Condition and the Report of Income and Dividends of each
of the Bank Subsidiaries; (iv) immediately after the occurrence of a material
adverse change in the business, properties, condition or prospects (financial or
otherwise) of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, including
without limitation, any material adverse change arising out of imposition of any
letter agreement, memorandum of understanding, cease and desist order, or other
similar regulatory action involving

                                       3

<PAGE>   4

the Borrower or any Subsidiary, a statement of the Borrower's chief executive
officer or chief financial officer setting forth in reasonable detail such
change and the action which the Borrower or any Subsidiary proposes to take with
respect thereto; and (v) from time to time upon request of the Lender, such
other information relating to the operations, business, condition, management,
properties, or prospects of the Borrower or any Subsidiary as the Lender may
reasonably request (including meetings with the Borrower's or Subsidiary's
officers and employees).

                  (b)      The Borrower and each Subsidiary shall punctually pay
and discharge, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies
imposed upon it or upon its income or upon any of its property unless contested
in good faith and for which reserves have been established in accordance with
GAAP.

                  (c)      The Borrower and each Subsidiary shall comply in all
material respects with all requirements of constitutions, statutes, rules,
regulations, and orders and all orders and decrees of courts and arbitrators
applicable to it or its properties except where the failure to comply could not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect.

                  (d)      The Borrower shall promptly notify the Lender of any
material change in management.

         4.       Negative Covenants. The Borrower agrees that so long as the
Note is outstanding or this Agreement is in effect:

                  (a)      The Borrower shall not permit its Capital as of the
end of any fiscal quarter during the term of this Agreement to be less than
$10,000,000.

                  (b)      The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of Tier 1
Capital to average total assets (the Tier 1 Leverage Ratio) of any of the Bank
Subsidiaries as of the end of any fiscal quarter to be less than 5.0%.

                  (c)      The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of
the Bank Subsidiaries to, fail to comply with any minimum capital requirement
imposed by any of their federal or state regulators.

                  (d)      The Borrower shall not permit its Weighted Average
Return on Assets for each fiscal year to be less than 0.85% and shall not permit
the Weighted Average Return on Assets of any Bank Subsidiary for each fiscal
year to be less than 0.85 %.

                  (e)      The Borrower shall not permit the allowance for loan
and lease losses of any of the Bank Subsidiaries to be less than 1.00% of its
gross loans for each fiscal quarter.

                  (f)      The Borrower shall not incur or permit to exist any
indebtedness or liability for borrowed money in access of 25% of Capital other
than to the Lender or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower without prior
Lender approval, except that this covenant shall not apply

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

to deposits, repurchase agents, federal finds borrowings, overdrafts, and other
banking transactions entered into by a Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its
business.

                  (g)      The Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly,
become a guarantor of any obligation of, or an endorser of, or otherwise assume
or become liable upon any notes, obligations, or other indebtedness of any other
Person (other than a Subsidiary) except in connection with the depositing of
checks in the normal and ordinary course of business.

                  (h)      The Borrower shall not, nor permit any Bank
Subsidiary to, transfer all or substantially all of its assets to or consolidate
or merge with any other Person, or acquire all or substantially all of the
properties or capital stock of any other Person.

                  (i)      The Borrower shall not permit any Bank Subsidiary to
issue, sell or otherwise dispose or part with control of any shares of any class
of its stock (other than directors' qualifying shares) except to the Borrower or
a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

                  (j)      The Borrower shall not sell or otherwise dispose or
part with control of any of the Stock or any other securities or indebtedness of
any Bank Subsidiary, and the Borrower shall not pledge or otherwise transfer or
grant a security interest in any of the capital stock or other securities of any
of its Bank Subsidiaries.

         5.       Advances Under the Loan. The Lender shall not be obligated to
make any advance of the Loan to the Borrower unless:

                  (a)      All representations and warranties of the Borrower
contained in this Agreement or the Note shall be true in all material respects
on and as of the date of each advance of the Loan.

                  (b)      The Borrower and each Subsidiary shall have performed
in all material respects all their agreements and obligations required by the
Financing Documents.

                  (c)      No adverse change shall have occurred in the
condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, or in the business, properties, assets, liabilities or prospects of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since the date of this
Agreement.

                  (d)      No Default or event which, with the giving of notice
or passage of time (or both), would constitute a default under the terms of this
Agreement shall have occurred.

         6.       Default. A "Default" shall exist if any of the following
occurs:

                  (a)      Failure of the Borrower punctually to make any
payment of any amount payable, whether principal or interest or other amount, on
any of the Liabilities, whether at maturity, or at a date fixed for any
prepayment or partial prepayment, or by acceleration, or otherwise, within 3
business days of the date such payment becomes due.

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

                  (b)      Any statement, representation, or warranty of the
Borrower made in any of the Financing Documents or at any time furnished by or
on behalf of the Borrower to the Lender shall be false or misleading in any
material respect as of the date made.

                  (c)      Failure of the Borrower punctually and fully to
comply with (i) any of the covenants in Section 4 of this Agreement or (ii) any
of the other covenants set forth in this Agreement if such failure under this
clause (ii) is not remedied within fifteen (15) business days after notice from
the Lender to the Borrower.

                  (d)      The occurrence of a default under any other agreement
to which the Borrower and the Lender are parties or under any other instrument
executed by the Borrower in favor of the Lender.

                  (e)      If the Borrower or any Subsidiary becomes insolvent
as defined in the Georgia Uniform Commercial Code or makes an assignment for the
benefit of creditors; or if any action is brought by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary seeking dissolution of the Borrower or such Subsidiary or liquidation
of its assets or seeking the appointment of a trustee, interim trustee,
receiver, or other custodian for any of its property; or if the Borrower or any
Subsidiary commences a voluntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code; or if
any reorganization or arrangement proceeding is instituted by the Borrower or
any Subsidiary for the settlement, readjustment, composition or extension of any
of its debts upon any teams; or if any action or petition is otherwise brought
by the Borrower or any Subsidiary seeking similar relief or alleging that it is
insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they mature.

                  (f)      Any action is brought against the Borrower or any
Subsidiary seeking dissolution of the Borrower or such Subsidiary or liquidation
of any of its assets or seeking the appointment of a trustee, interim trustee,
receiver, or other custodian for any of its property, and such action is
consented to or acquiesced in by the Borrower or such Subsidiary or is not
dismissed within 60 days of the date upon which it was instituted; or any
proceeding under the Federal Bankruptcy Code is instituted against the Borrower
or any Subsidiary and (i) an order for relief is entered in such proceeding or
(ii) such proceeding is consented to or acquiesced in by the Borrower or such
Subsidiary or is not dismissed within 60 days of the date upon which it was
instituted; or any reorganization or arrangement proceeding is instituted
against the Borrower or any Subsidiary for the settlement, readjustment,
composition, or extension of any of its debts upon any terms, and such
proceeding is consented to or acquiesced in by the Borrower or such Subsidiary
or is not dismissed within 60 days of the date upon which it was instituted; or
any action or petition is otherwise brought against the Borrower or any
Subsidiary seeking similar relief or alleging that it is insolvent, unable to
pay its debts as they mature, or generally not paying its debts as they become
due, and such action or petition is consented to or acquiesced in by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary or is not dismissed within 60 days of the date upon
which it was brought.

                  (g)      The Borrower or any Subsidiary is in default (or an
event has occurred which, with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both,
will cause the Borrower or any Subsidiary to be in default) on indebtedness to
another Person, and the amount of such

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

indebtedness exceeds $25,000 or the acceleration of the maturity of such
indebtedness would have a material adverse effect upon the Borrower or such
Subsidiary.

                  (h)      Any other material adverse change occurs in the
Borrower's financial condition or means or ability to pay the Liabilities.

                  (i)      Any cease and desist or other order has been
threatened in writing, noticed, or entered against the Borrower or any
Subsidiary by any bank or bank holding company regulatory agency or body, or the
Borrower or any subsidiary enters into any form of memorandum of understanding,
plan of corrective action, or letter agreement with any such regulatory agency
or body, or any other successful regulatory enforcement action is taken against
the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to the capitalization, management, or
operation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

                  (j)      The Borrower or any Subsidiary is indicted or
convicted or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to any charge that the Borrower or
such Subsidiary has violated any drug, controlled substances, money laundering,
currency reporting, racketeering, or racketeering-influenced-and-corrupt-
organization statute or regulations other forfeiture statute.

                  (k)      The Borrower ceases to own 100% of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Bank or ceases to control any of the other Bank
Subsidiaries.

         7.       Remedies Upon Default. Upon the continuation of a Default, the
Lender shall be entitled, without limitation, to exercise the following rights
at any time and from time to time, which the Borrower hereby agrees to be
commercially reasonable:

                  (a)      declare any of the Liabilities due and payable,
whereupon they immediately will become due and payable (notwithstanding any
provisions to the contrary, and without penalty, demand, notice or protest of
any kind (all of which are expressly waived by the Borrower));

                  (b)      (i) receive all amounts payable in respect of the
Collateral otherwise payable to the Borrower; (ii) settle all accounts, claims,
and controversies relating to the Collateral; (iii) transfer all or any part of
the Collateral into the Lender's or any nominee's name; and (iv) execute all
agreements and other instruments; bring, defend and abandon all actions and
other proceedings; and take all actions in relation to the Collateral as the
Lender in its sole discretion may determine;

                  (c)      enforce the payment of the Stock and exercise all of
the tights, powers and remedies of the Borrower thereunder, including the
exercise of all voting Rights and other ownership or consensual rights of the
Stock (but the Lender is not hereby obligated to exercise such rights), and in
connection therewith the Borrower hereby appoints the Lender to be the
Borrower's true and lawful attorney-in-fact and IRREVOCABLE PROXY to vote the
Stock in any manner the Lender deems advisable for or against all matters
submitted to a vote of shareholders, and such power-of-attorney is coupled with
an interest and irrevocable;

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

                  (d)      sell, assign and deliver, or grant options to
purchase, all or any part of or interest in, the Collateral in one or more
parcels, at any public or private sale at any exchange, any of the Lender's
offices, or elsewhere, without demand of performance, advertisement, or notice
of intention to sell or of the time or place of sale or adjournment thereof or
to redeem or otherwise (all of which are hereby expressly and irrevocably waived
by the Borrower), for cash, on credit, or for other property, for immediate or
future delivery without any assumption of credit risk, and for such price and on
such terms as the Lender in its sole discretion may determine; the Borrower
agrees that to the extent that notice of sale shall be required by law that at
least five business days' notice to the Borrower of the time and place of any
public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall
constitute reasonable notification; the Leader shall not be obligated to make
any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given; the
Lender may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement
at the time and place fixed, therefor, and any such sale may, without further
notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned; the Borrower
hereby waives and releases to the fullest extent permitted by law any right or
equity of redemption with respect to the Collateral, whether before or after
sale hereunder, and all rights, if any, of marshalling the Collateral and any
other security for the Loan or otherwise; at any such sale, unless prohibited by
applicable law, the Lender may bid for and purchase all or any part of the
Collateral so sold free from any such right or equity of redemption; and the
Lender shall not be liable for failure to collect or realize upon any or all of
the Collateral or for any delay in so doing nor shall any of them be under any
obligation to take any action whatsoever with regard thereto;

                  (e)      appoint and dismiss managers or other agents for any
of the purposes mentioned in the foregoing provisions of this Section 7, all as
the Leader in its sole discretion may determine; and

                  (f)      generally, take all such other action as the Lender
in its sole discretion may determine as incidental or conducive to any of the
matters or powers mentioned in this Section 7 and which the Lender may or can do
lawfully and use the name of the Borrower for such purposes and in any
proceedings arising therefrom.

         8.       Application of Proceeds. The proceeds of the public or private
sale or other disposition of any Collateral hereunder shall be applied to (i)
the costs incurred in connection with the sale, expressly including, without
limitation, any costs under Section 11(a) hereof; (ii) any unpaid interest, fees
or other amounts which may have accrued on any obligations secured hereby; and
(iii) any unpaid principal on any obligations secured hereby; in such order as
the Lender may determine, and any remaining proceeds shall be paid over to the
Borrower or others as by law provided. If the proceeds of the sale or other
disposition of the Stock are insufficient to pay all such amounts, the Borrower
shall remain liable to the Lender for the deficiency.

         9.       Additional Rights of Secured Parties. In addition to its other
rights and privileges under this Agreement, the Lender may exercise from time to
time any and all other rights and remedies available to a secured party when a
debtor is in default under a security agreement as provided in the Uniform
Commercial Code of Georgia, or available to the Lender under any other
applicable law or in equity, including without limitation the right to any
deficiency remaining after

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

disposition of the Collateral. The Borrower shall pay all of the reasonable
costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by the Lender
in enforcing its rights under this Agreement.

         10.      Return of Stock to Borrower. Upon payment in fill of all
principal and interest on the Note and full performance by the Borrower of all
covenants and other obligations under this Agreement, the Lender shall return to
the Borrower (i) all of the then remaining Stock and (ii) all rights received by
the Lender as agent for the Borrower as a result of its possessory interest in
the Stock.

         11.      Disposition of Stock by Lender. The Stock is not registered
under the various federal or state securities laws and disposition thereof after
default may be subject to prior regulatory approval and may be restricted to one
or morn private (instead of public) sales in view of the lack of such
registration. The Borrower acknowledges that upon such disposition, the Lender
may approach only a restricted number of potential purchasers and that a sale
under such circumstances may yield a lower price for the Stock than if the Stock
were registered pursuant to federal and state securities laws and sold on the
open market. The Borrower, therefore, agrees that:

                  (a)      if the Lender shall, pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, sell or cause any of the Stock to be sold at a private sale, the
Lender shall have the right to rely upon the advice and opinion of any national
brokerage or investment firm having recognized expertise and experience in
connection with shares of companies in the banking industry (but shall not be
obligated to seek such advice and the failure to do so shall not be considered
in determining the commercial reasonableness of the Lender's action) as to the
best manner in which to expose the Stock for sale and as to the best price
reasonably obtainable at the private sale thereof; and

                  (b)      such reliance shall be conclusive evidence that the
Lender has handled such disposition in a commercially reasonable manner.

         12.      Borrower's Obligations Absolute. The obligations of the
Borrower under this Agreement shall be direct and immediate and not conditional
or contingent upon the pursuit of any other remedies against the Borrower or any
other Person, nor against other security or liens available to the Lender or its
successors, assigns or agents. The Borrower hereby waives any right to require
that an action be brought against any other Person or require that resort be had
to any security or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books
of the Lender in favor of any other Person prior to any exercise of rights or
remedies hereunder, or to require resort to rights or remedies of the Lender in
connection with the Loan.

         13.      Notices. Except as provided otherwise in this Agreement all
notices and other communications under this Agreement are to be in writing and
are to be deemed to have been duly given and to be effective upon delivery to
the party to whom they are directed. If sent by U.S. mail, first class,
certified, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and addressed to the
Lender or to the Borrower at their respective addressees set forth below, such
communications are deemed to have been delivered on the second business day
after being so posted.

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

If to the Lender:                   Crescent Bank and Trust Company
                                    251 Hwy. 515 S.
                                    P.O. Box 668
                                    Jasper, Georgia 30143
                                    Attn: Gary Reece, Executive Vice-President

If to the Borrower:                 Appalachian Bancshares, Inc.
                                    829 Industrial Boulevard
                                    P.O. Box G
                                    Ellijay, GA 30540
                                    Attn: Kent Sanford, Executive Vice-President

         Either the Lender or the Borrower may, by written notice to the other,
designate a different address for receiving notices under this Agreement;
provided, however, that no such change of address will be effective until
written notice thereof is actually received by the party to whom such change of
address is sent.

         14.      Binding Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
construed and interpreted, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereto
determined, in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia. This Agreement,
together with all documents referred to herein, constitutes the Agreement
between the Borrower and the Lender with respect to the matters addressed herein
and may not be modified except by a writing executed by the Lender and delivered
by the Lender to the Borrower. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which, taken
together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         15.      Participations. The Lender may at any time grant
participations in or sell, assign, or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of
the indebtedness of the Borrower outstanding pursuant to the Financing
Documents. The Borrower hereby agrees that any holder of a participation in, and
any assignee or transferee of, all or any portion of any amount owed by the
Borrower under the Financing Documents (i) shall be entitled to the benefits of
the provisions of this Agreement as the Lender hereunder and (ii) may exercise
any and all rights of the banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim with respect to
any and all amounts owed by the Borrower to such assignee, transferee or holder
as fully as if such assignee, transferee or holder had made the Loan in the
amount of the obligation in which it holds a participation or which is assigned
or transferred to it.

         16.      Expenses. All reports and other documents or information
furnished to the Lender under this Agreement shall be supplied by the Borrower
without cost to the Lender. Further, the Borrower shall reimburse the Lender on
demand for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable
legal fees) incurred by the Lender in connection with the preparation,
interpretation, operation, and enforcement of the Financing Documents or the
protection or preservation of any right or claim of the Lender with respect to
such agreements. The Borrower will pay all taxes (if any) in connection with the
Financing Documents. The obligations

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

of the Borrower under this section shall survive the payment of the Liabilities
and the termination of this Agreement.

         17.      Indemnification. In addition to any other amounts payable by
the Borrower under this Agreement, the Borrower shall pay and indemnify the
Lender from and against all claims, liabilities, losses, costs, and expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) which
the Lender may (other than as a result of the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the Lender) incur or be subject to as a consequence, directly or
indirectly, of (i) any breach by the Borrower of any warranty, term or condition
in, or the occurrence of any default under, any of the Financing Documents,
including all fees or expenses resulting from the settlement or defense of any
claims or liabilities arising as a result of any such breach or default, (ii)
the Lender's making, holding, or administering the Loan or the Collateral, (iii)
allegations of participation or interference by the Lender in the management,
contractual relations or other affairs of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iv)
allegations that the Lender has joint liability with the Borrower or any
Subsidiary for any reason, and (v) any suit, investigation, or proceeding as to
which the Lender or such participant is involved as a consequence, directly or
indirectly, of its execution of any of the Financing Documents, or any other
event or transaction contemplated by any of the foregoing. The obligations of
Borrower under this Section 17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

         18.      Right to Set-Off. Upon the occurrence of a Default hereunder,
the Lender, without notice or demand of any kind, may hold and set off against
such of the Liabilities (whether matured or unmatured) as the Lender may elect
any balance or amount to the credit of the Borrower in any deposit, agency,
reserve, holdback or other account of any nature whatsoever maintained by or on
behalf of the Borrower with the Lender at any of its offices, regardless of
whether such accounts are general or special and regardless of whether such
accounts are individual or joint. Any Person purchasing an interest in debt
obligations under this Agreement held by the Lender may exercise all rights of
offset with respect to such interest as fully as if such Person were a holder of
debt obligations hereunder in the amount of such interest.

         19.      Further Assurance. If at any time the Lender upon advice of
its counsel shall determine that any further document shall be required to give
effect to this Agreement and the transactions and other agreements contemplated
thereby, the Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, execute and
deliver such document and otherwise carry out the purposes of this Agreement.

         20.      Severability. If any paragraph or part thereof shall for any
reason be held or adjudged to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by any court
of competent jurisdiction, such paragraph or part thereof shall be deemed
separate, distinct, and independent, and the remainder of this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by such holding or
adjudication.

         21.      Binding Effect. All rights of the Lender under the Financing
Documents shall inure to the benefit of its transferees, successors and assigns.
All obligations of the Borrower under the Financing Documents shall bind its
heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

         22.      Definitions.

                  (a)      "Assessment Risk Classification" means the assessment
risk classification assigned to each of the Bank Subsidiaries for purposes of
assessment of premiums by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for deposit
insurance pursuant to 12 C.F.R. ss. 327.3(d) or the corresponding assessment
risk classification, as determined by the Lender, pursuant to any successor
assessment risk classification system.

                  (b)      "Bank Subsidiaries" means each banking Subsidiary of
Borrower, now or hereafter in existence, including but not limited to Gilmer or
Appalachian.

                  (c)      "Capital" means all capital or all components of
capital, other than any allowance for loan and lease losses and net of any
intangible assets, as defined from time to time by the primary federal regulator
of the Borrower, the Bank, or each of the other Bank Subsidiaries (as the case
may be).

                  (d)      "Collateral" means and includes all property assigned
or pledged to the Lender or in which the Lender has bean granted security
interest or to which the Lender has been granted security title, whether under
any of the Financing Documents or any other agreement, instrument, or document,
and the proceeds thereof.

                  (e)      "Financing Documents" means and includes this
Agreement, the Note, and all other associated loan and collateral documents
including, without limitation, all guaranties, suretyship agreements, stock
powers, security agreements, security deeds, subordination agreements, exhibits,
schedules, attachments, financing statements, notices, consents, waivers,
opinions, letters, reports, records, assignments, documents, instruments,
information and other writings related thereto, or furnished by the Borrower to
the Lender in connection therewith or in connection with any of the Collateral,
and any amendments, extensions, renewals, modifications or substitutions thereof
or therefor.

                  (f)      "Liabilities" means all indebtedness, liabilities,
and obligations of the Borrower arising under the Financing Documents of nay
nature whatsoever which the Lender may now or hereafter have, own or hold, and
which are now or hereafter owing to the Lender regardless of however and
whenever created, arising or evidenced, whether now, heretofore or hereafter
incurred, whether now, heretofore or hereafter due and payable, whether alone or
together with another or others, whether direct or indirect, primary or
secondary, absolute or contingent, or joint or several, and whether as
principal, maker, endorser, guarantor, surety or otherwise, and also regardless
of whether such Liabilities are from time to time reduced and thereafter
increased or entirely extinguished and thereafter reinsured, including without
limitation the Note and any amendments, extensions modifications, renewals,
modifications or substitutions thereof or therefor.

                  (g)      "Note" shall mean the promissory note dated the date
hereof in the principal amount of $4,600,000 and any amendments, extensions,
renewals, modifications, or substitutions thereof or therefor in effect at any
particular time.

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

                  (h)      "Person" means any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.

                  (i)      "Subsidiary" means each of the Bank Subsidiaries and
each other corporation for which the Borrower has the power, directly or
indirectly, to direct its management or policies or to vote 25% or more of any
class of its voting securities.

                  (j)      "Tier 1 Capital" means Tier 1 capital as defined by
the capital maintenance regulations of the primary federal bank regulatory
agency of the relevant Bank Subsidiary.

                  (k)      "Weighted Average Return on Assets" means (i) with
respect to the Borrower, its net income for the previous calendar year plus the
amount of any interest payments by it on the Loan during the previous calendar
year, divided by its average assets during the previous calendar year, and (ii)
with respect to each Bank Subsidiary, its net income for the previous calendar
year divided by its average assets during the previous calendar year.

                  (l)      All accounting terms not otherwise defined herein
have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto set their hands and
affixed their seals by and through their duly authorized officers, as of the day
and year first above written.

BORROWER:

APPALACHIAN BANCSHARES, INC.

By:      /s/ Kent Sanford
   --------------------------------------------
         Kent Sanford, Executive Vice-President

Attest:  /s/ Alan May
       ----------------------------------------
Name:             Alan May
     ------------------------------------------
Title:            C.F.O.
      -----------------------------------------
[CORPORATE SEAL]

LENDER:

CRESCENT BANK & TRUST COMPANY

By:      /s/ Gary Reece
   --------------------------------------------
         Gary Reece, Executive Vice-President

[BANK SEAL]

                                       13

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