Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.6

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is dated as of June 1,
2000, by and between and among:

          COMMERCE NATIONAL BANK ("CNB"), a National Association, with its
          principal place of business at 100 E. Wilson Bridge Road, Worthington,
          Ohio 43085;

          CNBC BANCORP ("CNBC"), an Ohio corporation, with its principal place
          of business at 100 E. Wilson Bridge Road, Worthington, Ohio 43085; and

          JOHN A. ROMELFANGER ("Romelfanger"), residing at 1016 Inlet Court,
          Westerville, Ohio 43082

         WHEREAS, CNB and CNBC (collectively the "Bank" unless the context
indicates one entity or the other) are engaged in the financial services
business, and the services of Romelfanger have been an invaluable factor
contributing to the prior success enjoyed by the Bank; and
         WHEREAS, the Bank wishes to retain the services, knowledge, and
abilities of Romelfanger as the Chief Operating Officer of CNB and Vice
President, Secretary and Treasurer of CNBC, and the Bank also desires to prevent
any other competitive business from securing Romelfanger's services and
utilizing his experience, background and expertise; and
         WHEREAS, Romelfanger is willing to continue in the employ of the Bank
and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement as
hereinafter set forth; and
         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of CNB and CNBC (the "Boards") have
determined that it is in the best interests of CNB and CNBC and their
shareholders to continue to employ Romelfanger as Chief Operating Officer and
that CNB and CNBC should be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
and Romelfanger desires to serve in that capacity.

<PAGE>   2

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

         1.       CONTRACT PERIOD.
                  ---------------

         The Bank shall continue to employ Romelfanger, and Romelfanger shall
serve the Bank, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, for the
period commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on May 31, 2005 (the
"Contract Period"). However, the Contract Period may be extended beyond May 31,
2005, by mutual agreement of Romelfanger and the Bank, in which event the
Contract Period shall end on such date as agreed.

         2.       POSITION AND DUTIES.
                  -------------------

                  (a) During the Contract Period, Romelfanger shall be the Chief
         Operating Officer and director of CNB and Vice President, Secretary and
         Treasurer of CNBC with such duties and responsibilities as are assigned
         to him by the Boards or Chief Executive Officer consistent with his
         positions of both entities. Romelfanger shall, from time to time, and
         with the consent of the Chief Executive Officer, be entitled to
         delegate with appropriate supervision the performance of some of his
         duties and responsibilities to other management personnel of the Bank.
         During the Contract Period, Romelfanger also agrees, if elected, to
         serve as a member of the Board of Directors of CNB and/or CNBC, without
         additional compensation for such service.

                  (b) During the Contract Period, and excluding any periods of
         vacation and sick leave to which he is entitled, Romelfanger shall
         devote his full attention and time during normal business hours to the
         business and affairs of the Bank and

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

         shall perform his services wherever the Boards may from time to time
         designate and to the extent necessary to discharge the
         responsibilities assigned to him under this Agreement, use his
         reasonable best efforts to carry out such responsibilities faithfully
         and efficiently. It shall not be considered a violation of the
         foregoing for Romelfanger to (i) serve on corporate, civic or
         charitable boards or committees, (ii) deliver lectures, fulfill
         speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and (iii)
         manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not compete
         with and are not provided to or for any entity that competes with or
         intends to compete with the Bank and do not interfere with the
         performance of his responsibilities as the Chief Operating Officer of
         CNB or as Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of CNBC in
         accordance with this Agreement.

         3.       COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.
                  -------------------------

                  (a) BASE SALARY. During the Contract Period and for the
         remainder of the current calendar year which expires on December 31,
         2000, Romelfanger shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base
         Salary") of One Hundred and nine Thousand Dollars ($109,000), payable
         in equal installments at intervals not less frequent than monthly. For
         the calendar year commencing January 1, 2001, and for each subsequent
         calendar year prior to the expiration of the Contract Period,
         Romelfanger shall receive an increase in his then Annual Base Salary in
         an amount which shall be determined by the President, but in no event
         shall the percentage increase be less than fifty percent (50%) of the
         percentage increase in the diluted earnings per common share of CNBC
         (the "EPS") during the immediately preceding year over the prior year.
         In no event shall the Annual Base Salary then currently being paid be
         decreased. In calculating the application of the

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

         fifty percent (50%) provision where there is an increase in the EPS for
         a year following a year in which there has been a decrease in the EPS,
         the minimum percentage increase in the Annual Base Salary shall be
         fifty percent (50%) of the sum of the percentage decrease in EPS of the
         earlier year and the percentage increase in EPS for the later year.
         Exhibit A attached hereto contains example calculations which
         illustrate the provisions of this Subparagraph (a).

                  (b) BONUS. In addition to the Annual Base Salary, Romelfanger
         may be awarded, for each calendar year or portion of a calendar year
         ending during the Contract Period, an annual bonus (the annual bonus
         from time to time in effect for the then current calendar year is
         referred to as the "Annual Bonus"). The Annual Bonus will be as
         determined by the President, the Board or the Board's designated
         committee. Any such Annual Bonus shall be paid in a single cash lump
         sum no later than ninety (90) days after the end of the calendar year
         for which the Annual Bonus is awarded.

                  (c) SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT. During the Contract
         Period, the Bank shall contribute the sum of Twelve Thousand, Five
         Hundred Dollars ($12,500.00) each full calendar year, prorated on a
         daily basis for partial calendar years, to the trustee of a certain
         trust (the "Trust") established by the Bank pursuant to the terms of a
         Severance Benefit Trust Agreement (the "Trust Agreement") of even date
         herewith. Romelfanger shall be entitled to receive payments from the
         Trust in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Trust
         Agreement. This benefit is in addition to the Deferred Compensation
         Agreement dated December 31, 1994 between Commerce National Bank and
         John A. Romelfanger a copy of which is attached as Exhibit C.

                  (d) OTHER BENEFITS. During the Contract Period: (i)
         Romelfanger shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings
         and retirement plans, practices,

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

         policies and programs of the Bank to the same extent as the other
         executive officers of the Bank; and (ii) Romelfanger and/or
         Romelfanger's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for
         participation in, and shall receive all benefits under, all welfare
         benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Bank
         (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
         disability, salary continuance, employee life insurance, group life
         insurance, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and
         programs) to the same extent as the other executive officers of the
         Bank. The benefits currently being provided to Romelfanger are set
         forth on Exhibit B attached hereto.

                  (e) EXPENSES. During the Contract Period, Romelfanger shall be
         entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses
         incurred by him in carrying out his duties under this Agreement,
         provided that he complies with the policies, practices and procedures
         of the Bank for submission of expense reports, receipts, or similar
         documentation of such expenses.

                  (f) VACATION. Romelfanger shall be entitled to four (4) weeks
         of paid vacation during each full calendar year in the Contract Period.

                  (g) OPTIONS. Annually, Romelfanger shall be granted options to
         purchase shares of the common stock of CNBC in an amount equal to
         twenty percent (20%) of his Annual Base Salary for the immediately
         preceding year, subject however, to the anti-dilution adjustments, as
         and to the extent set forth in the CNBC Bancorp 1999 Stock Option Plan
         and the CNBC Bancorp 1996 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (as amended
         and restated April 20, 1999), and as it may be subsequently amended,
         restated or replaced (collectively the "Plans"), and subject also to
         any other limitations set forth in the Plans, including the limitation
         on the maximum number of options to be granted each year to any one
         individual.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

                  (h) LIFE INSURANCE. In addition to any group life insurance
         coverage provided to Romelfanger by the Bank under Paragraph (d) above,
         and the life insurance coverage provided under the deferred
         compensation agreement dated December 31, 1994, the Bank will continue
         in force and will pay the premiums for an individual life insurance
         policy on Romelfanger's life in the face amount of One Million Dollars
         ($1,000,000) or any replacement thereof. Romelfanger will have the
         right to designate the beneficiary of this policy or any replacement
         thereof.
                  (i) DISABILITY POLICY. The Bank will annually reimburse
         Romelfanger for the premium paid by him to maintain in force an
         individual disability income policy. The reimbursement shall be (i)
         made within ten (10) days following submission by Romelfanger to the
         Bank of an expense report with appropriate supporting documentation and
         (ii) treated as compensation to Romelfanger and shall be subject to all
         appropriate withholdings.

         4.       TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
                  -------------------------

                  (a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. Romelfanger's employment shall
         terminate automatically upon his death during the Contract Period. The
         Bank shall be entitled to terminate Romelfanger's employment during the
         Contract Period due to his Disability. "Disability" means that
         Romelfanger has been unable, for a period of either (A) 120 consecutive
         calendar days or (B) an aggregate of 180 calendar days in a period of
         365 consecutive calendar days, to substantially perform his material
         duties under this Agreement, as a result of physical or mental illness
         or injury. A termination of Romelfanger's employment by the Bank due to
         his Disability shall be communicated to him by written notice, and
         shall be effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by him
         (the "Disability Effective Date"),

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

         unless he returns to work and is able to substantially perform his
         duties in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 before the
         Disability Effective Date. For and during any period prior to the Bank
         electing to terminate Romelfanger's employment due to his Disability,
         when he is receiving partial or full disability income benefits from
         either the Bank provided group policy or his individual disability
         income policy referred to in Paragraph (i) of Section 3 above, the
         Annual Base Salary paid to him shall be reduced in order to give the
         Bank credit for the partial or full disability income benefits being
         received by Romelfanger.

                  (b) CAUSE. The Bank may terminate Romelfanger's employment
         during the Contract Period "For Cause" or "Without Cause." "For Cause"
         means:

                           (i) The continued failure of Romelfanger to
                  substantially perform the duties and responsibilities of his
                  position; or

                           (ii) Illegal conduct or gross misconduct by
                  Romelfanger that results in material and demonstrable damage
                  to the business or reputation of the Bank.

                  With regards to Section 4(b)(i), the Bank shall be required to
         provide Romelfanger with written notification regarding those duties
         and responsibilities which it determines he has failed to substantially
         perform. The Bank must cite specific objectives which it believes would
         represent substantial performance and which must be met by Romelfanger.
         Further, the Bank must provide Romelfanger with an appropriate and
         reasonable time frame to accomplish that substantial performance. Only
         upon Romelfanger's failure to meet those specific objectives within the
         stated time frame will there be a right to terminate "For Cause" under
         Section 4(b)(i).

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

                  Any act or failure to act by Romelfanger that is based upon
         authority given him pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the
         Boards, or the advice of counsel for the Bank, shall be conclusively
         presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Romelfanger in good
         faith and in the best interests of the Bank, and shall not give rise to
         a termination For Cause under this Paragraph. Romelfanger's termination
         For Cause shall be effective immediately unless the Bank states
         otherwise.

                  "Without Cause" shall be termination of Romelfanger's
         employment during the Contract Period by the Boards for any reason
         other than For Cause, Death or Disability.

                  (c)      GOOD REASON.

                           (i) Romelfanger's employment may be terminated by him
                  during the Contract Period for "Good Reason" , "Without Good
                  Reason" or due to a "Change in Control." "Good Reason" means:

                                    A. The assignment to Romelfanger of any
                           duties inconsistent in any respect with Paragraph (a)
                           of Section 2 of this Agreement, or any other action
                           by the Bank that results in a material diminution in
                           his position, authority, duties or responsibilities,
                           other than an isolated or an insubstantial and
                           inadvertent action that is not taken in bad faith and
                           is remedied by the Bank within a reasonable period of
                           time after receipt of written notice thereof from
                           Romelfanger; or

                                            B. Any material breach of this
                           Agreement by the Bank, other than an isolated or an
                           insubstantial and inadvertent breach that is not
                           taken in bad faith and is remedied by the Bank within
                           a reasonable period of time after receipt of written
                           notice thereof from Romelfanger. A material breach
                           shall include, but not be limited to,

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

                           a failure by the Bank to comply with any provision of
                           Section 3, Section 6 or Paragraph (c) of Section 11
                           of this Agreement.

                           C. The replacement of Thomas McAuliffe, currently
                           Chief Executive Officer and President of CNBC and
                           CNB, provided Romelfanger gives six (6) months
                           advance notice.

                           (ii) A termination of employment by Romelfanger for
                  Good Reason shall be communicated to the Bank by written
                  notice ("Notice of Termination for Good Reason") of the
                  termination, setting forth in reasonable detail the specific
                  conduct of the Bank that constitutes Good Reason and the
                  specific provision(s) of this Agreement on which Romelfanger
                  relies. A termination of employment by Romelfanger under
                  Section 4 (c)(i)(A) or 4(c)(i)(B) shall be effective on the
                  fifth (5th) business day following the date when the Notice of
                  Termination for Good Reason is given, unless the notice sets
                  forth a later date (which date shall in no event be later than
                  thirty (30) days after the notice is given) which is agreed to
                  by the President or Board. A termination of employment by
                  Romelfanger under Section 4 (c)(i)(C) shall be effective six
                  (6) months after the notice is given unless the Board sets for
                  an earlier date.

                           (iii) "Without Good Reason" shall be termination by
                  Romelfanger of his employment during the Contract Period for
                  any reason other than those cited under For Good Reason or
                  "Change In Control" (as hereafter defined).

                  (d) CHANGE IN CONTROL. Romelfanger's employment may be
         terminated by him for any reason in the event that during the Contract
         Period there has been a "change in control" of the Bank (as defined
         below). Solely for the purposes of applying the provisions of the
         immediately preceding sentence, if Romelfanger elects to terminate his
         employment due to a change in control, then the Date of

                                       -9-
<PAGE>   10

         Termination shall be the date selected by Romelfanger when he ceases to
         be employed by the Bank.

                  (i) For purposes of this Paragraph (d), a change in control
         shall be deemed to occur:

                                    A. When any "person" as defined in Sec.
                           (a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                           "Exchange Act") and as used in Secs. 13(d) and 14(d)
                           thereof, including a "group" as defined in Sec. 13(d)
                           of the Exchange Act, but excluding CNBC and any
                           subsidiary of CNBC, any employee benefit plan
                           sponsored or maintained by CNBC or CNB or any
                           subsidiary of CNBC (including any trustee of such
                           plan acting as trustee), and Romelfanger or any
                           affiliate of Romelfanger, directly or indirectly,
                           becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule
                           13d-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to
                           time) of securities of CNBC representing twenty
                           percent (20%) or more of the combined voting power of
                           CNBC's then outstanding securities;

                                    B. When, during any period of twenty-four
                           (24) consecutive months during the term of this
                           Agreement, the individuals who, at the beginning of
                           such period, constitute the Board of Directors of
                           CNBC (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason
                           other than death to constitute at least a majority
                           thereof; provided, however, that a director who was
                           not a director at the beginning of such 24-month
                           period shall be deemed to have satisfied such
                           24-month requirement (and be an Incumbent Director)
                           if such director was elected by, or on the
                           recommendation or with the approval of, at least
                           sixty-seven percent (67%) of the directors who

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

                           then qualified as Incumbent Directors either actually
                           (because they were directors at the beginning of such
                           24-month period) or by prior operation of this
                           Subparagraph B; or

                                    C. When the shareholders of either CNBC or
                           CNB approve a merger or consolidation resulting in
                           the shareholders of CNBC immediately prior to the
                           merger or consolidation owning less than fifty
                           percent (50%) of the surviving entity immediately
                           following the merger or consolidation, or approve a
                           sale or disposition of all or substantially all of
                           either CNBC's or CNB's assets or a plan of partial or
                           complete liquidation.

                  (e) NO WAIVER. The failure to set forth any fact or
         circumstance in a Notice of Termination for Cause or a Notice of
         Termination for Good Reason shall not constitute a waiver of the right
         to assert, and shall not preclude the party giving notice from
         asserting, such fact or circumstance in an attempt to enforce any right
         under or provision of this Agreement.

                  (f) DATE OF TERMINATION. The "Date of Termination" means the
         date of Romelfanger's death, the Disability Effective Date, or the date
         on which the termination of Romelfanger's employment by the Bank or by
         Romelfanger is effective, as the case may be.

         5.       OBLIGATIONS OF THE BANK UPON TERMINATION.
                  ----------------------------------------

                  (a) UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL. If Romelfanger elects to terminate
         his employment on account of the occurrence of a change in control, as
         defined in Paragraph (d) of Section 4, the Bank shall pay the amounts
         described in Subparagraph (i) below to Romelfanger or in the case of
         his death after

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12

         commencement of payments to his estate or beneficiary and shall
         continue the benefits described in Subparagraph (ii) below until the
         completion of the payment of the amounts described in Subparagraph
         (i)(B) below:

                           (i) The amounts to be paid as described above are:

                                    A. Romelfanger's accrued but unpaid cash
                           compensation (the "Accrued Obligations"), which shall
                           equal any portion of his Annual Base Salary through
                           the Date of Termination that has not yet been paid;
                           (2) any compensation previously deferred by
                           Romelfanger (together with any accrued interest or
                           earnings thereon) that has not yet been paid; and (3)
                           any accrued but unpaid vacation pay; and

                                    B. Severance payments calculated on an
                           annual basis and paid on a monthly basis, beginning
                           one (1) month following the Date of Termination, and
                           continuing for a total of twenty-four (24)
                           consecutive months. The annual amount shall be
                           determined by multiplying Romelfanger's Annual Base
                           Salary for the calendar year in which the Date of
                           Termination occurs by a factor of one and one-half
                           (1.50), then dividing by a factor of twenty-four
                           (24).

                                    C. Amounts accrued under the Deferred
                           Compensation Agreement dated December 31, 1994,
                           attached as Exhibit C.

                           (ii) The benefits to be continued are benefits to
                  Romelfanger and/or his family at least as favorable as those
                  that would have been provided to them under Paragraph (d)(ii)
                  of Section 3 of this Agreement if Romelfanger's employment had
                  continued until the completion of the payments of the amounts
                  described in Subparagraph (i)(B) above; provided, however,
                  that during any period when Romelfanger is eligible to

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

                  receive such benefits under another employer-provided plan,
                  the benefits provided by the Bank under this subparagraph may
                  cease. The foregoing notwithstanding, if the Bank is unable to
                  continue to provide benefits to Romelfanger and/or his family
                  on account of his or their ceasing to be eligible for those
                  benefits under the terms of the applicable plan or policy,
                  then the Bank will pay to Romelfanger and/or his family on a
                  monthly basis the cost of providing medical, life and
                  disability insurance of substantially equal or better
                  coverage.

                           (iii) This subparagraph was intentionally deleted.

                           (iv) If the payments provided under this Agreement
                  would constitute a "parachute payment" as defined in Section
                  280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
                  "Code"), such payments shall be reduced to the largest amount
                  as will result in no portion of the benefit under Paragraph
                  5(a) being subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999
                  of the Code or being disallowed as deductions to the Bank
                  under Section 280G of the Code.

                  (b) WITHOUT CAUSE: FOR GOOD REASON. If Romelfanger's
         employment is terminated during the Contract Period either by the Bank
         Without Cause as provided in Paragraph (b) of Section 4, or by
         Romelfanger for Good Reason as provided in Paragraph (c) of Section 4,
         the Bank shall pay the amounts described in Subparagraph 5(a)(i)(A) and
         5(a)(i)(C) above to Romelfanger, shall continue to pay his Annual Base
         Salary for a period of one (1) year following the Date of Termination,
         and shall continue the benefits described in Subparagraph 5(a)(ii)

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14

         above for a period of one year following the Date of Termination.
         Further, Romelfanger shall also be entitled to receive in a single
         payment, within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination, all of the
         funds then either allocated or credited to Romelfanger under the Trust
         plus the before tax income received from the investment of those funds.
         The Bank shall be required to make a prorated contribution to the Trust
         of the amount required of it under Paragraph (c) of Section 3 for the
         calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs, which
         contribution shall be made within the aforesaid thirty (30) day period.
         After the Date of Termination, the Bank shall be relieved of any
         further obligation to contribute to the Trust.

                  (c) FOR CAUSE; WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If Romelfanger's
         employment is terminated during the Contract Period by the Bank For
         Cause as provided in Paragraph (b) of Section 4, or by Romelfanger
         Without Good Reason as provided in Paragraph (c) of Section 4, then he
         shall be entitled to be paid the amounts described in Paragraph
         5(a)(i)(A).

                  (d) EXPIRATION OF CONTRACT PERIOD. If Romelfanger's employment
         is terminated for any reason after the expiration of the Contract
         Period, he shall be entitled to receive in a single payment, within
         thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination, all of the funds then
         either allocated or credited to Romelfanger under the Trust plus the
         before tax income received from the investment of those funds.

         6.       FUNDING OF SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS.
                  -------------------------------------------

         Upon the occurrence of a "change in control" as defined in Paragraph
(d) of Section 4, then within ten (10) days thereafter the Bank shall contribute
to the trustee of the Trust in a single payment that amount which shall be
necessary to fully fund the

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15

benefit to be paid to Romelfanger by the Bank as described in Paragraph
(a)(i)(B) of Section 5. Furthermore, if the change in control is due to the
sale, merger or consolidation of either CNBC or CNB or the assets of either of
them, then such contribution will be required prior to the date of the
consummation of such sale, merger or consolidation. In determining the amount
necessary to fully fund the obligation, the Bank shall be entitled to discount
its future liability to Romelfanger by a rate equal to the interest rate then
being paid on United States Treasury obligations having a maturity of two (2)
years.

         7.       NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS.
                  -------------------------

         Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Romelfanger's
continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice
provided by the Bank or any of its affiliated companies for which he may
qualify, nor shall anything in this Agreement limit or otherwise affect such
rights as Romelfanger may have under any contract or agreement with the Bank.
Vested benefits and other amounts that Romelfanger is otherwise entitled to
receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of, or any contract or
agreement with the Bank on or after the Date of Termination shall be payable in
accordance with such plan, policy, practice, program, contract or agreement, as
the case may be, except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

         8.       FULL SETTLEMENT.
                  ---------------

         The Bank's obligation to make the payments provided for in, and
otherwise to perform its obligations under, this Agreement shall not be affected
by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or
action that the Bank may have

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16

against Romelfanger or others. In no event shall Romelfanger be obligated to
seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to Romelfanger under any of the provisions of this Agreement and
such amounts shall not be reduced, regardless of whether Romelfanger obtains
other employment so long as such other employment does not conflict with the
obligations set forth in Section 10 below. The Bank agrees to pay, as incurred,
to the fullest extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses that
Romelfanger may reasonably incur as a result of any contest by the Bank,
Romelfanger or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under,
any provision of this Agreement, together with interest on any delayed payment
at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, but only upon the condition that the
contest is in the context of or relates to a "change of control" as that term is
defined in Paragraph (d) of Section 4 above.

         9.       CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
                  ------------------------

         Romelfanger shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the
Bank all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the
Bank or any company affiliated therewith and their respective businesses that he
obtains during his employment by the Bank and that is not public knowledge
(other than as a result of Romelfanger's violation of this Section 9)
("Confidential Information"). Romelfanger shall not communicate, divulge or
disseminate Confidential Information at any time during or after his employment
with the Bank, except with the prior written consent of the Bank or as otherwise
required by law or legal process.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>   17

         10.      NONCOMPETITION; NONSOLICITATION.
                  -------------------------------

                  (a) During the Contract Period and during the eighteen (18)
         month period following the termination of his employment with the Bank
         (the "Restriction Period"), Romelfanger shall not become associated
         with any entity, whether as a principal, partner, employee, consultant
         or shareholder (other than as a holder of not in excess of one percent
         (1%) of the outstanding voting shares of any company) that is, or
         intends to be, engaged in any business which is in competition with the
         business of the Bank or any of its subsidiaries in any geographic area
         in which the Bank or any of its subsidiaries operates an office which
         employs at least one (1) person (a "Competitor"). The restrictive
         covenant set forth in this Paragraph (a) shall not apply, however, if
         the termination of Romelfanger's employment is on account of the Bank
         exercising its right to terminate his employment under Paragraph (a) of
         Section 4 in the event of his Disability.

                  (b) During the Contract Period and during the two (2) year
         period following the termination of his employment with the Bank (the
         "Nonsolicitation Period"), Romelfanger shall not, directly or
         indirectly, encourage or solicit, or assist any other person or firm in
         encouraging or soliciting, any person that during the two year period
         preceding such termination of his employment with the Bank is or was
         engaged in a business relationship with the Bank or any of its
         subsidiaries to terminate its relationship with the Bank or any of its
         subsidiaries or to engage in a business relationship with a Competitor.
         The restrictive covenant set forth in this Paragraph (b) shall not
         apply, however, if the termination of Romelfanger's employment is on
         account of the Bank exercising its right to terminate his employment
         under Paragraph (a) of Section 4 in the event of his Disability.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>   18

                  (c) During the Nonsolicitation Period, Romelfanger will not,
         except with the prior written consent of the Bank, directly or
         indirectly, induce any employee of the Bank or any of its subsidiaries
         to terminate employment with such entity, and will not, directly or
         indirectly, either individually or as owner, agent, employee,
         consultant or otherwise, employ, offer employment or cause employment
         to be offered to any person who is or was employed by the Bank or a
         subsidiary thereof unless such person shall have ceased to be employed
         by such entity for a period of at least six (6) months.

                  (d) Promptly following his termination of employment,
         Romelfanger shall return to the Bank all property of the Bank, and all
         copies thereof in his possession or under his control, including,
         without limitation, all Confidential Information in whatever media such
         Confidential Information is maintained.

                  (e) Romelfanger acknowledges and agrees that the Restriction
         Period and the Nonsolicitation Period and the matters and territories
         covered thereby are fair and reasonable and the result of negotiation,
         and further acknowledges and agrees that the covenants and obligations
         of him in Section 9 and this Section 10 with respect to noncompetition,
         nonsolicitation, confidentiality and Bank property relate to special,
         unique and extraordinary matters and that a violation of any of the
         terms of such covenants and obligations will cause the Bank irreparable
         injury for which adequate remedies are not available at law. Therefore,
         Romelfanger agrees that the Bank shall be entitled to an injunction,
         restraining order or such other equitable relief as a court of
         competent jurisdiction may deem necessary or appropriate to restrain
         him from committing any violation of such covenants and obligations.
         These injunctive remedies are cumulative and are in addition to any
         other rights and remedies the Bank may have at law or in equity.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>   19

         11.      SUCCESSORS.
                  ----------

                  (a) This Agreement is personal to Romelfanger and, without the
         prior written consent of the Bank, shall not be assignable by him
         otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This
         Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
         Romelfanger's legal representatives.

                  (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
         binding upon the Bank and its successors and assigns.

                  (c) The Bank shall require any successor (whether direct or
         indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise (an
         "Acquisition")) to all or substantially all of the business and/or
         assets of the Bank expressly to assume and agree to perform this
         Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Bank would
         have been required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.
         As used in this Agreement, "Bank" shall mean both the Bank as defined
         above and any such successor that assumes and agrees to perform this
         Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

         12.      MISCELLANEOUS.
                  -------------

                  (a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
         accordance with, the laws of the State of Ohio without reference to
         principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not
         part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This
         Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written agreement
         executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal
         representatives.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>   20

                  (b) All notices and other communications under this Agreement
         shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other
         party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
         postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

         IF TO ROMELFANGER:
         -----------------

                  John A. Romelfanger
                  1016 Inlet Court
                  Westerville, Ohio 43082

         IF TO THE BANK:
         --------------

                  Commerce National Bank
                  100 East Wilson Bridge Road
                  Worthington, Ohio  43085

                  Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

         Or to such other address as either party furnishes to the other in
         writing in accordance with this paragraph. Notices and communications
         shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.

                  (c) The invalidity or lack of enforceability of any provision
         of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
         any other provision of this Agreement.

                  (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
         Bank may withhold from amounts payable under this Agreement all
         Federal, state, local and foreign taxes that are required to be
         withheld by applicable laws or regulations.

                  (e) Romelfanger's or the Bank's failure to insist upon strict
         compliance with any provision of, or to assert any right under, this
         Agreement (including, without limitation, the right of Romelfanger to
         terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Paragraph (c) of
         Section 4 of this Agreement) shall not be

                                      -20-
<PAGE>   21

         deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or of any other
         provision of or right under this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Romelfanger has hereunto set his hand and, pursuant to the
authorization of their Board of Directors, CNB and CNBC have caused this
Agreement to be executed in their name on their behalf, all as of the day and
year first above written.

                                       COMMERCE NATIONAL BANK

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                                Thomas D. McAuliffe
                                                Chief Executive Officer

                                       CNBC BANCORP

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                                Thomas D. McAuliffe
                                                Chairman

                                       John A. Romelfanger, INDIVIDUAL

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                                John A. Romelfanger

                                      -21-<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.7

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is dated as of June 1,
2000, by and between and among:

                  CNBC RETIREMENT SERVICES ("CRS"), an Ohio Corporation, with
                  its principal place of business at 100 E. Wilson Bridge Road,
                  Worthington, Ohio 43085;

                  CNBC BANCORP ("CNBC"), an Ohio corporation, with its principal
                  place of business at 100 E. Wilson Bridge Road, Worthington,
                  Ohio 43085; and

                  DENNIS D. PUPPEL ("Puppel"), residing at 5400 Victoria Park,
                  Columbus, Ohio 43235

         WHEREAS, CRS and CNBC (collectively the "Company" unless the context
indicates one entity or the other) are engaged in the financial services
business, CRS has entered into an agreement to purchase the business assets of
The Puppel Companies, Inc, a business solely owned by Puppel and the services of
Puppel have been an invaluable factor contributing to the prior success enjoyed
by The Puppel Companies, Inc; and

         WHEREAS, CRS wishes to retain the services, knowledge, and abilities of
Puppel as the President of CRS, and CRS also desires to prevent any other
competitive business from securing Puppel's services and utilizing his
experience, background and expertise; and

         WHEREAS, Puppel is willing to join the employ of CRS and agrees to be
bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement as hereinafter set forth;
and
         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of CRS and CNBC (the "Boards") have
determined that it is in the best interests of CRS and CNBC and their
shareholders to employ Puppel as President of CRS and that CRS and CNBC should
be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Puppel desires to
serve in that capacity.

<PAGE>   2

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

         1.       CONTRACT PERIOD.

         CRS shall continue to employ Puppel, and Puppel shall serve CRS, on the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, for the period commencing on
the date of this Agreement and ending on May 31, 2010 (the "Contract Period").
However, the Contract Period may be extended beyond May 31, 2010, by mutual
agreement of Puppel and Company, in which event the Contract Period shall end on
such date as agreed.

         As consideration for the execution of this agreement, CRS will pay
Puppel a signing bonus of $50,000 on May 31, 2000. Additionally, Puppel shall
receive a grant of 500 incentive stock options to purchase shares of the common
stock of CNBC at the market price of CNBC stock on June 15, 2000 with an
expiration of 10 years and a five-year vesting schedule, vesting 20% per year.

         2.       POSITION AND DUTIES.

                  (a) During the Contract Period, Puppel shall be the President
         and Director of CRS with such duties and responsibilities as are
         assigned to him by the CRS Board consistent with his position. Puppel
         shall, from time to time, and with the consent of the CRS Board, be
         entitled to delegate with appropriate supervision the performance of
         some of his duties and responsibilities to other management personnel
         of CRS.

                  (b) During the Contract Period, and excluding any periods of
         vacation and sick leave to which he is entitled, Puppel shall devote
         his full attention and time during normal business hours to the
         business and affairs of CRS and shall

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

         perform his services primarily at CRS's headquarters, wherever the
         Boards may from time to time designate it to be, and to the extent
         necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to him under this
         Agreement, use his reasonable best efforts to carry out such
         responsibilities faithfully and efficiently. It shall not be considered
         a violation of the foregoing for Puppel to (i) serve on corporate,
         civic or charitable boards or committees, (ii) deliver lectures or
         fulfill speaking engagements and (iii) manage personal investments, so
         long as such activities do not compete with and are not provided to or
         for any entity that competes with or intends to compete with CRS and do
         not interfere with the performance of his responsibilities as the
         President of CRS in accordance with this Agreement.

         3.       COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

                           (a) BASE SALARY. For the remainder of the current
                  calendar year which expires on December 31, 2000, Puppel shall
                  receive an annual base salary, subject first to the limitation
                  provisions outlined in paragraph (b), ("Annual Base Salary")
                  of One Hundred and eighteen Thousand Dollars ($118,000),
                  payable in equal installments at intervals not less frequent
                  than monthly. For the calendar year commencing January 1,
                  2001, Puppel's base salary shall be $128,000. For the calendar
                  year commencing January 1, 2002, and for each subsequent
                  calendar year prior to the expiration of the Contract Period,
                  Puppel's then Annual Base Salary shall be established in an
                  amount that shall be determined by the CRS Board. Puppel's
                  Annual Base Salary may only be decreased as a result of the
                  limitation established in section (b) which follows.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

                           (b) LIMITATION ON ANNUAL BASE SALARY. In no event
                  shall Puppel's Annual Base Salary exceed the sum of 50% of the
                  gross revenues on account relationships of CRS that existed as
                  of June 1, 2000 plus 10% of the gross revenues on account
                  relationships acquired by CRS after June 1, 2000.

                           (c) BONUS. In addition to the Annual Base Salary,
                  Puppel may be awarded, for each calendar year or portion of a
                  calendar year ending during the Contract Period, an annual
                  bonus (the annual bonus from time to time in effect for the
                  then current calendar year is referred to as the "Annual
                  Bonus"). The Annual Bonus will be as determined by the CNBC
                  Board. Any such Annual Bonus shall be paid in a single cash
                  lump sum no later than ninety (90) days after the end of the
                  calendar year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded.

                           (d) OTHER BENEFITS. During the Contract Period: (i)
                  Puppel shall be eligible to participate in all savings and
                  retirement plans, practices, policies and programs of Company
                  to the same extent as the other officers of Company and (ii)
                  Puppel and/or Puppel's family, as the case may be, shall be
                  eligible for participation in, and shall receive all benefits
                  under, all welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and
                  programs provided by Company (including, without limitation,
                  medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee group life
                  insurance, accidental death and travel accident insurance
                  plans and programs) to the same extent as the other officers
                  of Company.

                           (e) EXPENSES. During the Contract Period, Puppel
                  shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable
                  expenses incurred by him in carrying out his duties under this
                  Agreement, provided that he complies with

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

                  the policies, practices and procedures of CRS for submission
                  of expense reports, receipts, or similar documentation of such
                  expenses.

                           (f) VACATION. Puppel shall be entitled to four (4)
                  weeks of paid vacation during each full calendar year during
                  the Years 2000 and 2001. Commencing in calendar Year 2002,
                  Puppel shall be entitled to five (5) weeks of paid vacation.

                           (g) STOCK OPTIONS. Beginning in Year 2001, Puppel
                  shall be eligible to receive additional stock option grants
                  pursuant to the provisions of the CNBC Bancorp 1999 Stock
                  Option Plan.

                           (h) LIFE INSURANCE. In addition to any group life
                  insurance coverage provided to Puppel by CRS under Paragraph
                  (d) above, CRS will continue in force and will pay the
                  premiums for an individual life insurance policy on Puppel's
                  life in the face amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
                  ($500,000) or any replacement thereof. CRS will be the
                  beneficiary of $250,000 of the proceeds of the policy and
                  Puppel will have the right to designate the beneficiary for
                  the remaining $250,000 of the proceeds of this policy or any
                  replacement thereof.

         4.       TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

                  (a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. Puppel's employment shall terminate
         automatically upon his death during the Contract Period. Company shall
         be entitled to terminate Puppel's employment during the Contract Period
         due to his Disability. "Disability" means that Puppel has been unable,
         for a period of either (A) 180 consecutive calendar days or (B) an
         aggregate of 240 calendar days in a period of 365 consecutive calendar
         days, to substantially perform his material

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

         duties under this Agreement, as a result of physical or mental illness
         or injury. A termination of Puppel's employment by Company due to his
         Disability shall be communicated to him by written notice, and shall be
         effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by him (the
         "Disability Effective Date"), unless he returns to work and is able to
         substantially perform his duties in accordance with the provisions of
         Section 2 before the Disability Effective Date. For and during any
         period prior to Company electing to terminate Puppel's employment due
         to his Disability, when he is receiving partial or full disability
         income benefits from the Company provided group policy the Annual Base
         Salary paid to him shall be reduced in order to give Company credit for
         the partial or full disability income benefits being received by
         Puppel.

                  (b) CAUSE. Company may terminate Puppel's employment during
         the Contract Period "For Cause" or "Without Cause." "For Cause" means:

                           (i) The continued failure of Puppel to substantially
                  perform the duties and responsibilities of his position; or

                           (ii) Illegal conduct or gross misconduct by Puppel
                  that results in material and demonstrable damage to the
                  business or reputation of CNBC or CRS.

                  With regards to Section 4(b)(i), Company shall be required to
         provide Puppel with written notification regarding those duties and
         responsibilities, which it determines he has failed to substantially
         perform. Company must cite specific objectives that it believes would
         represent substantial performance and which must be met by Puppel.
         Further, Company must provide Puppel with an appropriate and reasonable
         time frame to accomplish that substantial performance. Only upon
         Puppel's failure to meet those specific objectives within the stated
         time frame will there be a right to terminate "For Cause" under Section
         4(b)(i).

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

                  Any act or failure to act by Puppel that is based upon
         authority given him pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the
         Boards, or the advice of counsel for Company, shall be conclusively
         presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Puppel in good faith and
         in the best interests of Company, and shall not give rise to a
         termination For Cause under this Paragraph. Company termination For
         Cause shall be effective immediately unless Company states otherwise.

                  (iii) "Without Cause" shall be termination of Puppel's
         employment during the Contract Period by the Boards for any reason
         other than For Cause, Death or Disability.

                  (c)      GOOD REASON.

                           (i) Puppel's employment may be terminated by him
                  during the Contract Period for "Good Reason" or "Without Good
                  Reason." "Good Reason" means:

                                    A. The assignment to Puppel of any duties
                           inconsistent in any respect with Paragraph (a) of
                           Section 2 of this Agreement, or any other action by
                           Company that results in a material diminution in his
                           position, authority, duties or responsibilities,
                           other than an isolated or an insubstantial and
                           inadvertent action that is not taken in bad faith and
                           is remedied by Company within a reasonable period of
                           time after receipt of written notice thereof from
                           Puppel; or

                                    B. Any material breach of this Agreement by
                           Company, other than an isolated or an insubstantial
                           and inadvertent breach that is not taken in bad faith
                           and is remedied by Company within a reasonable period
                           of time after receipt of written notice thereof from
                           Puppel. A material breach shall include, but not be
                           limited to, a failure by Company to

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

                           comply with any provision of Section 3 or Paragraph
                           (c) of Section 11 of this Agreement.

                  (ii) A termination of employment by Puppel for Good Reason
                  shall be communicated to Company by written notice ("Notice of
                  Termination for Good Reason") of the termination, setting
                  forth in reasonable detail the specific conduct of Company
                  that constitutes Good Reason and the specific provision(s) of
                  this Agreement on which Puppel relies. A termination of
                  employment by Puppel for Good Reason shall be effective on the
                  fifth (5th) business day following the date when the Notice of
                  Termination for Good Reason is given, unless the notice sets
                  forth a later date (which date shall in no event be later than
                  thirty (30) days after the notice is given) which is agreed to
                  by the Boards.

                  (iii) "Without Good Reason" shall be termination by Puppel of
                  his employment during the Contract Period for any reason other
                  than those cited under For Good Reason.

                  (d) NO WAIVER. The failure to set forth any fact or
         circumstance in a Notice of Termination for Cause or a Notice of
         Termination for Good Reason shall not constitute a waiver of the right
         to assert, and shall not preclude the party giving notice from
         asserting, such fact or circumstance in an attempt to enforce any right
         under or provision of this Agreement.

                  (e) DATE OF TERMINATION. The "Date of Termination" means the
         date of Puppel's death, the Disability Effective Date, or the date on
         which the termination of Puppel's employment by Company or by Puppel is
         effective, as the case may be.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

         5.       OBLIGATIONS OF COMPANY UPON TERMINATION.

                  (a) WITHOUT CAUSE: FOR GOOD REASON. If Puppel's employment is
         terminated during the Contract Period either by Company Without Cause
         as provided in Paragraph (b) of Section 4, or by Puppel for Good Reason
         as provided in Paragraph (c) of Section 4, CRS shall pay the amounts
         described in Subparagraph (i)(A) below to Puppel and shall continue to
         pay his annual base salary until December 31, 2005. If the termination
         occurs after June 30, 2004, CRS shall pay the amounts described in
         Subparagraph (i) below to Puppel and shall continue to pay his Annual
         Base Salary for a period of eighteen (18) months following the Date of
         Termination. CRS shall continue the benefits described in Subparagraph
         (ii)(B) below for the same period that he receives payments under this
         paragraph following the Date of Termination.

                           (i) The amounts to be paid as described above are:

                                    A.       Puppel's accrued but unpaid cash
                                             compensation (the "Accrued
                                             Obligations"), which shall equal
                                             any portion of his Annual Base
                                             Salary through the Date of
                                             Termination that has not yet been
                                             paid; (2) any compensation
                                             previously deferred by Puppel
                                             (together with any accrued interest
                                             or earnings thereon) that has not
                                             yet been paid; and (3) any accrued
                                             but unpaid vacation pay.

                                    B.       The benefits to be continued are
                                             benefits to Puppel and/or his
                                             family at least as favorable as
                                             those that would have been provided
                                             to them under Paragraph (d)(ii) of
                                             Section 3 of this Agreement if
                                             Puppel's employment had continued
                                             until the completion of the
                                             payments of the amounts

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

                                             described above; provided,
                                             however, that during any period
                                             when Puppel is eligible to
                                             receive such benefits under
                                             another employer-provided plan,
                                             the benefits provided by CRS
                                             under this subparagraph may
                                             cease. The foregoing
                                             notwithstanding, if CRS is
                                             unable to continue to provide
                                             benefits to Puppel and/or his
                                             family on account of his or
                                             their ceasing to be eligible for
                                             those benefits under the terms
                                             of the applicable plan or
                                             policy, then CRS will pay to
                                             Puppel and/or his family on a
                                             monthly basis the cost of
                                             providing medical, life and
                                             disability insurance of
                                             substantially equal coverage.

                  (b) FOR CAUSE; WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If Puppel's employment is
         terminated during the Contract Period by Company For Cause as provided
         in Paragraph (b) of Section 4, or by Puppel Without Good Reason as
         provided in Paragraph (c)(i)(B)(iii) of Section 4, then he shall be
         entitled to be paid the amounts described in Paragraph 5(a)(i)(A) only.
         No salary continuation shall be paid.

         6.  Non-exclusivity of Rights.

         Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Puppel's continuing or
future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by
Company or any of its affiliated companies for which he may qualify, nor shall
anything in this Agreement limit or otherwise affect such rights as Puppel may
have under any contract or agreement with

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

Company. Vested benefits and other amounts that Puppel is otherwise entitled to
receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of, or any contract or
agreement with Company on or after the Date of Termination shall be payable in
accordance with such plan, policy, practice, program, contract or agreement, as
the case may be, except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

         7.       FULL SETTLEMENT.

         Company's obligation to make the payments provided for in, and
otherwise to perform its obligations under, this Agreement shall not be affected
by any set-off, counterclaim, defense or other claim, right or action that
Company may have against Puppel or others. In no event shall Puppel be obligated
to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to Puppel under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such
amounts shall not be reduced, regardless of whether Puppel obtains other
employment so long as such other employment does not conflict with the
obligations set forth in Section 9 below.

         8.       CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

         Puppel shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of Company
all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to Company or
any company affiliated therewith and their respective businesses that he obtains
during his employment by CRS and that is not public knowledge (other than as a
result of Puppel's violation of this Section 8) ("Confidential Information").
Puppel shall not communicate, divulge or disseminate Confidential Information at
any time during or after his employment with CRS, except with the prior written
consent of Company or as otherwise required by law or legal process.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12

         9.       NONCOMPETITION; NONSOLICITATION.

                  (a) During the later of December 31, 2005 or twenty-four (24)
         months following Puppel's termination date of employment with CRS (the
         "Restriction Period"), Puppel shall not become associated with any
         entity, whether as a principal, partner, employee, consultant or
         shareholder (other than as a holder of not in excess of one percent
         (1%) of the outstanding voting shares of any company) that is, or
         intends to be, engaged in any business which is in competition with the
         business of CRS, CNBC or any subsidiaries or affiliates of either
         entity (collectively "CRS or any Affiliates") in any geographic area in
         which CRS or any Affiliates operates an office which employs at least
         one (1) person (a "Competitor"). The restrictive covenant set forth in
         this Paragraph (a) shall not apply, however, if the termination of
         Puppel's employment is on account of Company exercising its right to
         terminate his employment under Paragraph (a) of Section 4 in the event
         of his Disability.

                  (b) During the Contract Period and during the two (2) year
         period following the termination of his employment with CRS (the
         "Nonsolicitation Period"), Puppel shall not, directly or indirectly,
         encourage or solicit, or assist any other person or firm in encouraging
         or soliciting, any person that during the two year period preceding
         such termination of his employment with CRS is or was engaged in a
         business relationship with CRS or any Affiliates to terminate its
         relationship with CRS or any Affiliates or to engage in a business
         relationship with a Competitor. The restrictive covenant set forth in
         this Paragraph (b) shall not apply, however, if the termination of
         Puppel's employment is on account of Company exercising its right to
         terminate his employment under Paragraph (a) of Section 4 in the event
         of his Disability.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

                  (c) During the Nonsolicitation Period, Puppel will not, except
         with the prior written consent of Company, directly or indirectly,
         induce any employee of CRS or any Affiliates to terminate employment
         with such entity, and will not, directly or indirectly, either
         individually or as owner, agent, employee, consultant or otherwise,
         employ, offer employment or cause employment to be offered to any
         person who is or was employed by CRS or any Affiliates thereof unless
         such person shall have ceased to be employed by such entity for a
         period of at least six (6) months.

                  (d) Promptly following his termination of employment, Puppel
         shall return to Company all property of Company, and all copies thereof
         in his possession or under his control, including, without limitation,
         all Confidential Information in whatever media such Confidential
         Information is maintained.

                  (e) Puppel acknowledges and agrees that the Restriction Period
         and the Nonsolicitation Period and the matters and territories covered
         thereby are fair and reasonable and the result of negotiation, and
         further acknowledges and agrees that the covenants and obligations of
         him in Section 8 and this Section 9 with respect to noncompetition,
         nonsolicitation, confidentiality and Company property relate to
         special, unique and extraordinary matters and that a violation of any
         of the terms of such covenants and obligations will cause Company
         irreparable injury for which adequate remedies are not available at
         law. Therefore, Puppel agrees that Company shall be entitled to an
         injunction, restraining order or such other equitable relief as a court
         of competent jurisdiction may deem necessary or appropriate to restrain
         him from committing any violation of such covenants and obligations.
         These injunctive remedies are cumulative and are in addition to any
         other rights and remedies Company may have at law or in equity.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14

         10.      SUCCESSORS.

                  (a) This Agreement is personal to Puppel and, without the
         prior written consent of Company, shall not be assignable by him
         otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This
         Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Puppel's
         legal representatives.

                  (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
         binding upon Company and its successors and assigns.

                  (c) Company shall require any successor (whether direct or
         indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise (an
         "Acquisition")) to all or substantially all of the business and/or
         assets of Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this
         Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Company would
         have been required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.
         As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean both CNBC and CRS as
         defined above and any such successor that assumes and agrees to perform
         this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

         11.      MISCELLANEOUS.

                  (a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
         accordance with, the laws of the State of Ohio without reference to
         principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not
         part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This
         Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written agreement
         executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal
         representatives.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15

                  (b) All notices and other communications under this Agreement
         shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other
         party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
         postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

         IF TO PUPPEL:

                  Dennis  D. Puppel
                  5400 Victoria Park
                  Columbus, Ohio  43235

         IF TO CNBC OR CRS:

                  CNCB Bancorp
                  100 East Wilson Bridge Road
                  Worthington, Ohio  43085

                  Attention:  Chairman of the Board

         Or to such other address as either party furnishes to the other in
         writing in accordance with this paragraph. Notices and communications
         shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.

                  (c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
         this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any
         other provision of this Agreement.

                  (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, CRS
         may withhold from amounts payable under this Agreement all Federal,
         state, local and foreign taxes that are required to be withheld by
         applicable laws or regulations.

                  (e) Puppel's or Company's failure to insist upon strict
         compliance with any provision of, or to assert any right under, this
         Agreement (including, without limitation, the right of Puppel to
         terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Paragraph (c) of
         Section 4 of this Agreement) shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such
         provision or right or of any other provision of or right under this
         Agreement.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Puppel has hereunto set his hand and, pursuant to the
authorization of their Board of Directors, CRS and CNBC have caused this
Agreement to be executed in their name on their behalf, all as of the day and
year first above written.

                                         CNBC Retirement Services

                                         By:
                                            -----------------------------------
                                                  Thomas D. McAuliffe
                                                  Chairman of the Board

                                         CNBC BANCORP

                                         By:
                                            -----------------------------------
                                                  Thomas D. McAuliffe
                                                  Chairman of the Board

                                         Dennis D. Puppel, INDIVIDUAL

                                         By:
                                            -----------------------------------
                                                  Dennis D. Puppel

                                      -16-

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00017-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00017-of-00352.parquet"}]]