Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.4

                        CONFIDENTIAL RETIREMENT AGREEMENT
                               AND GENERAL RELEASE

         THIS CONFIDENTIAL RETIREMENT AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE (this
"Agreement") is entered into as of August 16, 2002 (the "Effective Date"), by
and between NeoTherapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and
Alvin J. Glasky, Ph.D., an individual ("Executive").

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, Executive is employed by the Company pursuant to that certain
executive employment agreement dated as of December 1, 2000 (the "Employment
Agreement");

         WHEREAS, Executive and the Company (collectively, the "Parties") have
agreed that Executive will retire from his positions as an officer and an
employee of the Company, and will become a consultant to the Company;

         WHEREAS, the Parties wish to specify the terms of the retirement and
resolve any outstanding issues between them.

                                    AGREEMENT

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations and agreements
contained herein, and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be bound hereby,
the Company and Executive hereby agree to terminate their employment
relationship on the following basis:

      1. Termination of the Employment Agreement. The Employment Agreement and
each Party's rights thereunder are hereby terminated, including, without
limitation, Executive's right to receive any "Base Salary" (as defined in the
Employment Agreement), bonus or other compensation, or any entitlement to
severance or other payments upon termination of employment under the Employment
Agreement.

      2. Retirement. Executive hereby retires as Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Science Officer, Chairman of the Board of Directors (the "Board") and an
employee of the Company as of the Effective Date. Executive understands and
agrees that he is giving up any right or claim to future employment with the
Company and any compensation or benefit of such employment, including any
compensation and/or benefits owed to the Executive pursuant to the Employment
Agreement, except for compensation and/or benefits provided for in this
Agreement. Executive acknowledges that he has received all compensation and
benefits due to him through the Effective Date.

      3. Compensation. In consideration for Executive's agreement to retire
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:
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         (a) In lieu of severance, Executive shall continue to receive payments
equal to $25,000 per month until December 31, 2002, in accordance with the
Company's payroll policies and practices. These payments shall be subject to
withholding in accordance with applicable law. Concurrently with the execution
of this Agreement, Executive shall receive any amount of his Base Salary that
may have been deferred since July 1, 2002, together with any other accrued but
unpaid amounts due under the Employment Agreement as of the Effective Date but
before execution of this Agreement.

         (b) Following the Effective Date, the Company shall pay eighty-percent
(80%) of the COBRA premium for Executive and his spouse until December 31, 2002
provided that Executive elects to continue benefits under COBRA and remains
eligible for COBRA throughout that period. In the event that Executive and/or
his spouse cannot continue coverage under COBRA, but is eligible for Medicare,
the Company will reimburse any Medicare Part B premium, and premium for a
Supplemental Plan J to the extent he and/or she can be underwritten for such
coverage. Executive shall be responsible for taking any actions necessary to
obtain coverage under Medicare, Medicare Part B or a Supplemental Plan J, and to
pay any and all premiums required by them, subject to the Company's
reimbursement.

         (c) The Company agrees to pay $106,041.51 of the total outstanding
balance of principal and interest as of the Effective Date of $136,041.51 owed
to Executive by the Company under that certain Promissory Note (the "Company
Note") made by the Company dated January 1, 1998 upon execution of this
Agreement.

         (d) All stock options previously granted to Executive shall become
fully vested as of the Effective Date, and Executive shall be entitled to
exercise such options in whole or in part from time to time during the one year
period commencing on the Effective Date.

         (e) The Company shall continue to make all monthly payments due under
the lease for the automobile provided to Executive by the Company as of the
Effective Date through the expiration of such lease; provided that the Company
shall not be required to exercise any purchase option upon expiration of such
lease, and Executive agrees to return such automobile when and as required under
such lease, unless Executive personally purchases such automobile.

         (f) The Company hereby transfers to Executive ownership of the laptop
computer provided to him by the Company as of the Effective Date.

         (g) The Company shall reimburse Executive for other amounts actually
expended by Executive in the course of performing his duties as a consultant to
the Company, if such amounts are approved in writing by the Company beforehand
and Executive tenders receipts or other documentation reasonably substantiating
the amounts as required by the Company.

         (h) Executive is covered under the liability insurance policies
currently maintained by the Company for its directors and officers, with respect
to events occurring prior to the Effective Date. In the event that the Company
renews, extends or replaces such policies, or purchases "tail" coverage, the
Company will include Executive under the coverage with respect to events
occurring prior to the Effective Date.

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      4. Repayment of Executive Loan. Executive hereby agrees to repay the total
outstanding balance of principal and interest as of the Effective Date of
$390,112.02 owed to the Company by Executive under that certain Promissory Note
(the "Executive Note") made by Executive dated July 17, 2000 as follows: (i) by
foregoing any right to receive any Base Salary, bonus or other compensation
otherwise owed to Executive pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement
for calendar year 2003, including, without limitation, any obligation that the
Company provide medical, dental or similar benefits or pay all or any portion of
COBRA premiums, except as otherwise specified in this Agreement; (ii) by
forgiving $30,000 of the total outstanding balance of the Company Note; and
(iii) by agreeing to provide consulting services to the Company in the future as
set forth in this Agreement. In consideration of this Agreement, and in
particular clauses (i)-(iii) of the foregoing sentence, the Company shall deem
the Executive Note to be repaid in full as of the Effective Date, and shall
deliver to Executive the original Executive Note marked paid in full and
initialed by a duly authorized representative of the Company concurrently with
the execution of this agreement. The Executive Note shall continue to be deemed
paid in full as of the Effective Date regardless of whether the Company ever
requests that Executive perform any consulting services under Section 6 below.

      5. Options. Executive and the Company are parties to certain written
agreements pursuant to which Executive has been granted options to purchase
stock in the Company. Executive acknowledges that although such options might be
identified as incentive stock options, such options may not be qualified for
treatment as incentive stock options, either now or in the future. Executive is
advised to consult with his personal tax advisor to determine whether the
options are qualified for treatment as incentive stock options. Except as set
forth in Section 3(d) and this Section 5, Executive's rights under his existing
option agreements are not intended to be modified by this Agreement in any way.

      6. Future Consulting. Executive shall provide consulting services to the
Company as may be reasonably requested by the Company from time to time up to
and through December 31, 2003, such requests to be made on reasonable notice to
Executive and such services to be performed solely during ordinary business
hours. The Company shall compensate Executive for these consulting services as
set forth in Section 3 above. It is the express intent of the parties that
Executive shall provide consulting services to the Company as an independent
contractor pursuant to this Agreement. Executive will not be an employee of the
Company after the Effective Date, and Executive shall not hold himself out to be
an employee of the Company, and shall not have the authority to enter into or
bind the Company to any contract, promise, or obligation under any
circumstances. The Company is interested only in the results to be achieved by
Executive under this Agreement, and the manner and method of performing all
services of Executive under this Agreement, and achieving the desired results,
shall be under the exclusive control of Executive. The Company shall have no
right or authority to direct or control Executive with respect to the
performance of Executive's services under this Agreement, except as otherwise
provided by this Agreement.

         7. Return of Company Property. Except as expressly provided for herein,
at the Company's request, the Executive will return to the Company all files,
records, credit cards, keys, equipment, and any other property of the Company or
documents maintained by him for the Company's use or benefit, on or before the
Effective Date.

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         8. Confidentiality. The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement and all
matters relating to or leading up to the negotiation and effectuation of this
Agreement are confidential and shall not be disclosed to any third party except
as follows: the Company may disclose the terms of this Agreement to the public
as required by law, including without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; the Company may
disclose the terms of this Agreement to Company employees with a business
purpose for receiving such information; the Parties may disclose the terms of
the Agreement to their respective legal, accounting and tax advisors to the
extent necessary for them to perform services; and the Parties may disclose the
terms of this Agreement to the Internal Revenue Service and the California
Franchise Tax Board as required by law, rule or regulation, or as otherwise
required by law or necessary to enforce the terms of this Agreement. If any
disclosure is made as permitted by this paragraph other than to governmental
authorities as required by law, then such persons or entities shall be cautioned
about the confidentiality obligations imposed by this Agreement.

         9. Non-Disclosure, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation.

      (a) Executive agrees that he will not disclose at any time, other than to
an authorized employee, officer, director or agent of the Company, any
information relating to the Company's business, trade, practices, trade secrets
or know-how or proprietary information without the Company's prior express
written consent. Following the Effective Date, Executive shall be permitted to
continue in his usual occupation and shall not be prohibited from competing with
the Company except in the specific industry market segments in which the
Corporation competes while Executive is a consultant to the Company. Executive
agrees that until December 31, 2003, Executive shall not directly or indirectly
solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any of the Company's employees to leave
their employment or take away such employees to leave their employment or take
away such employees or attempts to solicit, induce, recruit, encourage or take
away employees of the Company.

      (b) Executive understands and agrees that future payments under this
Agreement may be terminated by the Company if he violates this provision in
addition to any other remedies available under applicable law. In the event the
Company terminates payments pursuant to this Section, Executive may challenge
such termination in accordance with Section 16 below. In the event of any other
breach or violation of this Agreement, the party asserting a breach or violation
of the Agreement may seek remedies otherwise available under applicable law or
another provision of this Agreement in accordance with Section 16 below.

         10. General Release by Executive.

      (a) Release of Claims. Executive does hereby for himself and his
respective heirs, successors and assigns, release, acquit and forever discharge
the Company, its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates and any of their officers,
directors, managers, employees, representatives, related entities, successors
and assigns, and all persons acting by, through or in concert with them (the
"Company Releasees") of and from any and all claims, actions, charges,
complaints, causes of action, rights, demands, debts, damages, or accountings of
whatever nature, known or unknown which Executive may have against the Company
Releasees, or any of them, based on any actions or events which occurred prior
to the effective date of this

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Agreement, including, but not limited to, those related to, or arising from,
Executive's employment with the Company or the termination thereof, including,
without limitation, any claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
the Americans with Disabilities Act and the California Fair Employment and
Housing Act (collectively, the "Claims" or individually, "Claim"); provided,
however, that the release set forth in this Section 10(a) shall not be effective
with respect to any Company Releasee, other than the Company, who commences any
claim, action or proceeding against Executive based on any actions or events
which occurred prior to the effective date of this Agreement.

      (b) Release of Unknown Claims. In addition, Executive expressly waives
all rights under Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California,
which reads as follows:

         A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH A CREDITOR DOES NOT
         KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE
         RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS
         SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

      (c) No Assignment of Claims. Executive represents and warrants to the
Company Releasees that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any
interest in any Claim which Executive may have against the Company Releasees, or
any of them, and Executive agrees to indemnify and hold the Company Releasees
harmless from any liability, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and
attorneys' fees incurred as a result of any person asserting any such assignment
or transfer of any rights or Claims if Executive has made such assignment or
transfer from such party.

      (d) No Suits or Actions. Executive represents and warrants to the Company
that there have been no claims, suits, actions, complaints, or charges filed by
him against the Company Releasees, or any of them. Executive agrees that if he
hereafter commences, joins in, or in any manner seeks relief through any suit
arising out of, based upon, or relating to any of the Claims released hereunder,
or in any manner asserts against the Company Releasees, or any of them, any of
the Claims released hereunder, then he will pay to the Company Releasees against
whom such claim(s) is asserted, in addition to any other damages caused thereby,
all attorneys' fees incurred by such Company Releasees in defending or otherwise
responding to said suit or Claim.

      (e) No Admission. Executive further understands and agrees that neither
the payment of money nor the execution of this Release shall constitute or be
construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever by the Company Releasees.

      11. General Release by the Company.

         (a) Release of Claims. The Company does hereby for itself and its
respective successors and assigns, release, acquit and forever discharge
Executive and his heirs, estates, successors and assigns, and all persons acting
by, through or in concert with them (the "Executive Releasees") of and from any
and all claims, actions, charges, complaints, causes of action, rights, demands,
debts, damages, or accountings of whatever nature, known or unknown

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which the Company may have against the Executive Releasees, or any of them,
based on any actions or events which occurred prior to the effective date of
this Agreement, including, but not limited to, those related to, or arising
from, Executive's employment with the Company or the termination thereof
(collectively, the "Claims" or individually, "Claim").

         (b) Release of Unknown Claims. In addition, the Company expressly
waives all rights under Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of
California, which reads as follows:

                        A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH A
                        CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR
                        AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY
                        HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH
                        THE DEBTOR.

         (c) No Assignment of Claims. The Company represents and warrants to the
Executive Releasees that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any
interest in any Claim which the Company may have against the Executive
Releasees, or any of them, and the Company agrees to indemnify and hold the
Executive Releasees harmless from any liability, claims, demands, damages,
costs, expenses and attorneys' fees incurred as a result of any person asserting
any such assignment or transfer of any rights or Claims if the Company has made
such assignment or transfer from such party.

         (d) No Suits or Actions. The Company agrees that if it hereafter
commences, joins in, or in any manner seeks relief through any suit arising out
of, based upon, or relating to any of the Claims released hereunder, or in any
manner asserts against the Executive Releasees, or any of them, any of the
Claims released hereunder, then it will pay to the Executive Releasees against
whom such claim(s) is asserted, in addition to any other damages caused thereby,
all attorneys' fees incurred by such Executive Releasees in defending or
otherwise responding to said suit or Claim.

         (e) No Admission. The Company further understands and agrees that
neither the payment of money nor the execution of this Release shall constitute
or be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever by the Executive
Releasees.

      12. Nondisparagement. The Parties shall not make any disparaging or
derogatory comments, public or otherwise, concerning each other, and Executive
shall refrain from making any disparaging comments, public or otherwise,
concerning any employees, officers or directors of the Company. The Company
shall provide Executive a reasonable opportunity to review and comment in
advance on any press release regarding Executive's retirement from the Company,
and the Company shall not unreasonably disregard any such comments provided by
Executive.

      13. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither this Agreement
nor any rights hereunder may be assigned to any party by the Company or
Executive without the prior written consent of the other party hereto.

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      14. Entire Agreement/No Oral Modification. This Agreement contains all of
the terms, promises, representations, and understandings, oral or written, made
between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior representations, understandings, or agreements, oral or
written, between the Company and Executive, with respect to such matters, which
the Parties acknowledge have been merged into this Agreement. This Agreement may
not be modified other than with a writing executed by both parties and stating
an intent to modify this agreement.

      15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of California, without regard for conflict of law principles.

      16. Arbitration; Waiver of Jury Trial. Except for claims for equitable or
injunctive relief which cannot be timely addressed through arbitration (which
claims may be brought in any state or federal court in Orange County,
California), the parties hereby agree to submit any claim or dispute arising out
of the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, claims regarding
confidentiality under Section 8 of this Agreement and/or any dispute arising out
of or relating to Executive's employment or consulting relationship with the
Company in any way, to private and confidential arbitration by a single neutral
arbitrator through JAMS. All arbitration proceedings shall be governed by the
then current JAMS rules governing employment disputes, and shall take place in
Orange County, California. The decision of the arbitrator shall be rendered in
writing and shall be final and binding on all parties to this Agreement.
Judgment thereon may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The Company
shall advance the arbitrator's fee and all costs of services provided by the
arbitrator and arbitration organization; however, all costs of the arbitration
proceeding or litigation to enforce this Agreement, including attorneys' fees
and witness expenses, may be awarded to the prevailing party in addition to such
other relief as the arbitrator may determine. Except for claims for equitable or
injunctive relief which cannot be timely addressed through arbitration (which
claims may be brought in any state or federal court in Orange County,
California), this arbitration procedure is intended to be the exclusive method
of resolving any claim relating to the obligations set forth in this Agreement.
Executive hereby waives any right to a jury trial on any dispute or claim
covered by this paragraph.

      17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall
constitute the same instrument.

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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed by the parties set forth
below as of the date first indicated above.

THE COMPANY                                 EXECUTIVE

NEOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.                       ALVIN J. GLASKY, PH.D.,
a Delaware corporation                      an individual

By: /s/ Rajesh C. Shrotriya                 /s/ Alvin J. Glasky
    -----------------------------           ----------------------------------

Title: Chief Executive Officer
       --------------------------

                                       8<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                             FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
                       FIRST COMMUNITY CAPITAL CORPORATION
                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                               - - - - - - - - - -

     WHEREAS, First Community Capital Corporation (the "Company") presently
maintains the First Community Capital Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan"); and

     WHEREAS, the Company, pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan, has the right to
amend the Plan from time to time subject to certain limitations.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in order to increase the number of shares of common stock,
$.01 par value, of the Company ("Common Stock") reserved for issuance pursuant
to the exercise of options under the Plan, the Plan is hereby amended in the
following manner:

     1. Effective as of the date this amendment is approved by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board"), Section 3 is hereby amended in its
entirety to read as follows:

          SECTION 3. Stock Reserved for the Plan. Subject to adjustment as
     provided in Section 6 hereof, the aggregate number of shares of Common
     Stock that may be optioned under the Plan is 570,000. The shares subject to
     the Plan shall consist of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock
     and such number of shares shall be and is hereby reserved for sale for such
     purpose. Any of such shares which may remain unsold and which are not
     subject to outstanding options at the termination of the Plan shall cease
     to be reserved for the purpose of the Plan, but until termination of the
     Plan or the termination of the last of the options granted under the Plan,
     whichever last occurs, the Company shall at all times reserve a sufficient
     number of shares to meet the requirements of the Plan. Should any option
     expire or be cancelled prior to its exercise in full, the shares
     theretofore subject to such option may again be made subject to an option
     under the Plan.

     2. This First Amendment to the Plan was approved by the Board on March 21,
2002.

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this First Amendment to the
First Community Capital Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan on this ______ day of
____________________, 2002.

                                   FIRST COMMUNITY CAPITAL CORPORATION

                                   By: ____________________________________

                                   Name: __________________________________

                                   Title: _________________________________

                                       2

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                           First Community Bank, N.A.
                            1996 Stock Option Plan

                        AMENDED AND RESTATED TO BE THE

                      FIRST COMMUNITY CAPITAL CORPORATION
                            1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                             W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of First Community Bank, National
Association (the "Bank") previously adopted the First Community Bank, National
Association 1996 Stock Option Plan to be effective on March 21, 1996 and
such plan was approved by the stockholders of the Bank;

     WHEREAS, the Bank, First Community Capital Corporation (the "Company") and
First Community Capital Corporation of Delaware, Inc. entered into that certain
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of November 16, 2000 (the
"Reorganization Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company would become a
holding company for the Bank (the "Reorganization");

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement, the outstanding options
granted under the First Community Bank, National Association 1996 Stock Option
Plan to purchase shares of Bank common stock are to be converted into options to
purchase shares of Company common stock, with the adjustments provided for in
the Reorganization Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the First Community Bank, National Association 1996 Stock Option
Plan is to be renamed the First Community Capital Corporation 1996 Stock Option
Plan;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the First Community Bank, National Association 1996 Stock
Option Plan is amended and restated as set forth below to continue such plan
following the Reorganization.

     SECTION 1.  PURPOSE OF THE PLAN.  The purpose of the First Community
Capital Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan ("Plan") is to encourage ownership of
common stock, $0.01 par value ("Common Stock"), of the Company, by key employees
and directors of the Company and its Affiliates (as defined below), including
the Bank, and to provide increased incentive for such key employees and
directors to render services and to exert maximum effort for the success of the
Company.  In addition, the Company expects that the Plan will further strengthen
the identification of the key employees and directors with the stockholders.
Certain options to be granted under this Plan are intended to qualify as
Incentive Stock Options ("ISOs") pursuant to Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), while other options granted under this Plan
will be nonqualified options which are not intended to qualify as ISOs
("Nonqualified Options"), either or both as provided in the agreements
evidencing the options as provided in Section 6 hereof.  As used in this Plan,
the term "Affiliates" means any "parent corporation" of the Company and any

<PAGE>

"subsidiary corporation" of the Company within the meaning of Code Sections
424(e) and (f), respectively.

     SECTION 2.  ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.

          (a) Composition of Committee.  The Plan shall be administered by the
     Human Resources Committee (the "Committee") designated by the Board of
     Directors of the Company (the "Board"), which shall also designate the
     Chairman of the Committee.  If the Company is governed by Rule 16b-3
     promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission")
     pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange
     Act"), no director shall serve as a member of the Committee unless he or
     she is a "disinterested person" within the meaning of such Rule 16b-3.

          (b) Committee Action.  The Committee shall hold its meetings at such
     times and places as it may determine.  A majority of its members shall
     constitute a quorum, and all determinations of the Committee shall be made
     by not less than a majority of its members.  Any decision or determination
     reduced to writing and signed by a majority of the members shall be fully
     as effective as if it had been made by a majority vote of its members at a
     meeting duly called and held.  The Committee may designate the Secretary of
     the Company or other Company employees to assist the Committee in the
     administration of the Plan, and may grant authority to such persons to
     execute award agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee and
     the Company.  Any duly constituted committee of the Board satisfying the
     qualifications of this Section 2 may be appointed as the Committee.

          (c) Committee Expenses.  All expenses and liabilities incurred by the
     Committee in the administration of the Plan shall be borne by the Company.
     The Committee may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants or other
     persons.

     SECTION 3.  STOCK RESERVED FOR THE PLAN.  Subject to adjustment as provided
in Section 6 hereof, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be
optioned under the Plan is  422,000.  The shares subject to the Plan shall
consist of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock and such number of
shares shall be and is hereby reserved for sale for such purpose.  Any of such
shares which may remain unsold and which are not subject to outstanding options
at the termination of the Plan shall cease to be reserved for the purpose of the
Plan, but until termination of the Plan or the termination of the last of the
options granted under the Plan, whichever last occurs, the Company shall at all
times reserve a sufficient number of shares to meet the requirements of the
Plan.  Should any option expire or be cancelled prior to its exercise in full,
the shares theretofore subject to such option may again be made subject to an
option under the Plan.

     SECTION 4.  ELIGIBILITY.  The persons eligible to participate in the Plan
as a recipient of options ("Optionee") shall include only key employees and
directors of the Company or its Affiliates at the time the option is granted.  A
key employee or director who has been granted an option hereunder may be granted
an additional option or options, if the Committee shall so determine.

                                       2

<PAGE>

     SECTION 5.  GRANT OF OPTIONS.

          (a) Committee Discretion.  The Committee shall have sole and absolute
     discretionary authority (i) to determine, authorize, and designate those
     persons pursuant to this Plan who are to receive options under the Plan,
     (ii) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by
     such options and the terms thereof, and (iii) to determine the type of
     option granted:  ISO, Nonqualified Option or a combination of ISO and
     Nonqualified Options; provided that a director may not receive ISOs.  The
     Committee shall thereupon grant options in accordance with such
     determinations as evidenced by a written option agreement.  Subject to the
     express provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have discretionary
     authority to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to
     the Plan, to interpret the Plan, to prescribe and amend the terms of the
     option agreements (which need not be identical) and to make all other
     determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the
     Plan.

          (b) Stockholder Approval.  All options granted under this Plan are
     subject to, and may not be exercised before, the approval of this Plan by
     the stockholders prior to the first anniversary date of the Board meeting
     held to approve the Plan, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
     majority of the shares of the Company present, or represented by proxy, and
     entitled to vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or by written
     consent in accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of
     Texas, as may be applicable; provided that if such approval by the
     stockholders of the Company is not forthcoming, all options previously
     granted under this Plan shall be void.

          (c) Limitation on Incentive Stock Options.  The aggregate fair market
     value (determined in accordance with Section 6.(b) of this Plan at the time
     the option is granted) of the Common Stock with respect to which ISOs may
     be exercisable for the first time by any Optionee during any calendar year
     under all such plans of the Company and its Affiliates shall not exceed
     $100,000.

     SECTION 6.  TERMS AND CONDITIONS.  Each option granted under the Plan shall
be evidenced by an agreement, in a form approved by the Committee, which shall
be subject to the following express terms and conditions and to such other terms
and conditions as the Committee may deem appropriate.

          (a) Option Period.  The Committee shall promptly notify the Optionee
     of the option grant and a written agreement shall promptly be executed and
     delivered by and on behalf of the Company and the Optionee, provided that
     the option grant shall expire if a written agreement is not signed by said
     Optionee (or his agent or attorney) and returned to the Company within 60
     days from date of receipt by the Optionee of such agreement.  The date of
     grant shall be the date the option is actually granted by the Committee,
     even though the written agreement may be executed and delivered by the
     Company and the Optionee after that date.  Each option agreement shall
     specify the period for which the option thereunder is granted (which in no
     event shall exceed ten years from the date of grant) and shall provide that
     the option shall expire at the end of such period.  If the original term of
     an option is less

                                       3

<PAGE>

     than ten years from the date of grant, the option may be amended prior to
     its expiration, with the approval of the Committee and the Optionee, to
     extend the term so that the term as amended is not more than ten years from
     the date of grant.  However, in the case of an ISO granted to an individual
     who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total
     combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its
     Affiliates ("Ten Percent Stockholder"), such period shall not exceed five
     years from the date of grant.

          (b) Option Price.  The purchase price of each share of Common Stock
     subject to each option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be determined by
     the Committee at the time the option is granted and, in the case of ISOs,
     shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of Common
     Stock on the date the option is granted, as determined by the Committee.
     In the case of an ISO granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, the option
     price shall not be less than 110% of the fair market value of a share of
     Common Stock on the date the option is granted.  The purchase price of each
     share of Common Stock subject to a Nonqualified Option under this Plan
     shall be determined by the Committee prior to granting the option.  The
     Committee shall set the purchase price for each share subject to a
     Nonqualified Option at either the fair market value of each share on the
     date the option is granted, or at such other price as the Committee in its
     sole discretion shall determine.

          At the time a determination of the fair market value of a share of
     Common Stock is required to be made hereunder, the determination of its
     fair market value shall be made by the Committee in such manner as it deems
     appropriate.

          (c) Exercise Period.  The Committee may provide in the option
     agreement that an option may be exercised in whole, immediately, or is to
     be exercisable in increments.

          (d) Procedure for Exercise.  Options shall be exercised by the
     delivery of written notice to the Secretary of the Company setting forth
     the number of shares with respect to which the option is being exercised.
     Such notice shall be accompanied by (i) cash, cashier's check, bank draft,
     or postal or express money order payable to the order of the Company, (ii)
     subject to the approval by the Committee, certificates representing shares
     of Common Stock theretofore owned by the Optionee duly endorsed for
     transfer to the Company, or (iii) any combination of the preceding, equal
     in value to the full amount of the exercise price.  Notice may also be
     delivered by fax or telecopy provided that the purchase price of such
     shares is delivered to the Company via wire transfer on the same day the
     fax is received by the Company.  The notice shall specify the address to
     which the certificates for such shares are to be mailed.  An Optionee shall
     be deemed to be a stockholder with respect to shares covered by an option
     on the date the Company receives such written notice and such option
     payment.  As promptly as practicable after receipt of such written
     notification and payment, the Company shall deliver to the Optionee
     certificates for the number of shares with respect to which such option has
     been so exercised, issued in the Optionee's name or such other name as
     Optionee directs; provided, however, that such delivery shall be deemed
     effected for all purposes when a stock transfer agent of the Company shall
     have deposited such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to
     the Optionee at the address specified pursuant to this Section 6.(d).

                                       4

<PAGE>

          (e) Termination of Employment.  If an Optionee to whom an option is
     granted ceases to be employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates or
     ceases to serve on the Board of the Company or any of its Affiliates for
     any reason other than death or disability, any option which is exercisable
     on the date of such termination of employment or cessation of serving on
     the Board may be exercised during a three month period after such date, but
     in no event may the option be exercised after its expiration under the
     terms of the option agreement; provided, however, that if an Optionee's
     employment or service on the Board is terminated because of the Optionee's
     theft or embezzlement from the Company or any of its Affiliates, disclosure
     of trade secrets of the Company or any of its Affiliates or the commission
     of a willful, felonious act while serving as an employee or director of the
     Company or any of its Affiliates (such reasons shall hereinafter be
     collectively referred to as "for cause"), then any option or unexercised
     portion thereof granted to said Optionee shall expire upon such termination
     of employment or cessation of serving on the Board.

          (f) Disability or Death of Optionee.  In the event of the
     determination of disability or death of an Optionee under the Plan while
     the Optionee is employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates or while
     the Optionee serves on the Board of the Company or any of its Affiliates,
     the options previously granted to him may be exercised (to the extent he or
     she would have been entitled to do so at the date of the determination of
     disability or death) at any time and from time to time, within a one year
     period after the date of such determination of disability or death, by the
     former employee, the guardian of his estate, the executor or administrator
     of his estate or by the person or persons to whom his rights under the
     option shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution, but in
     no event may the option be exercised after its expiration under the terms
     of the option agreement. An Optionee shall be deemed to be disabled if, in
     the opinion of a physician selected by the Committee, he or she is
     incapable of performing services for the Company or any of its Affiliates
     of the kind he or she was performing at the time the disability occurred by
     reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which
     can be expected to result in death or to be of long, continued and
     indefinite duration. The date of determination of disability for purposes
     hereof shall be the date of such determination by such physician.

          (g) Assignability.  An option shall not be assignable or otherwise
     transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
     During the lifetime of an Optionee, an option shall be exercisable only by
     him or his authorized legal representative.

          (h) Incentive Stock Options.  Each option agreement may contain such
     terms and provisions as the Committee may determine to be necessary or
     desirable in order to qualify an option designated as an incentive stock
     option.

          (i) No Rights as Stockholder.  No Optionee shall have any rights as a
     stockholder with respect to shares covered by an option until the option is
     exercised by the written notice and accompanied by payment as provided in
     clause (d) above.

          (j) Extraordinary Corporate Transactions.  The existence of
     outstanding options shall not affect in any way the right or power of the
     Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments,
     recapitalizations, reorganizations, exchanges, or other changes in the
     Company's capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation
     of

                                       5

<PAGE>

     the Company, or any issuance of Common Stock or other securities or
     subscription rights thereto, or any issuance of bonds, debentures,
     preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock
     or the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or
     any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any
     other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or
     otherwise.  If the Company merges, consolidates, sells all of its assets or
     dissolves (each of the foregoing a "Fundamental Change"), then thereafter
     upon any exercise of an option theretofore granted the Optionee shall be
     entitled to purchase under such option, in lieu of the number of shares of
     Common Stock as to which option shall then be exercisable, the number and
     class of shares of stock and securities to which the Optionee would have
     been entitled pursuant to the terms of the Fundamental Change if,
     immediately prior to such Fundamental Change, the Optionee had been the
     holder of record of the number of shares of Common Stock as to which such
     option is then exercisable.  If (i) the Company shall not be the surviving
     entity in any merger or consolidation (or survives only as a subsidiary of
     another entity), (ii) the Company sells all or substantially all of its
     assets to any other person or entity (other than a wholly-owned
     subsidiary), (iii) any person or entity (including a "group" as
     contemplated by Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) acquires or gains
     ownership or control of (including, without limitation, power to vote) more
     than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (iv) the Company is to
     be dissolved and liquidated, or (v) as a result of or in connection with a
     contested election of directors, the persons who were directors of the
     Company before such election shall cease to constitute a majority of the
     Board (each such event in clauses (i) through (v) above is referred to
     herein as a "Corporate Change"), the Committee, in its sole discretion, may
     accelerate the time at which all or a portion of an Optionee=s options may
     be exercised for a limited period of time before or after a specified date.

          (k) Changes in Company's Capital Structure.  If the outstanding shares
     of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or both, for which the
     option is then exercisable shall at any time be changed or exchanged by
     declaration of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares,
     recapitalization, or reorganization, the number and kind of shares of
     Common Stock or other securities which are subject to the Plan or subject
     to any options theretofore granted, and the option prices, shall be
     appropriately and equitably adjusted so as to maintain the proportionate
     number of shares or other securities without changing the aggregate option
     price.

          (l) Acceleration of Options.  Except as hereinbefore expressly
     provided, (i) the issuance by the Company of shares of stock or any class
     of securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash,
     property, labor or services, upon direct sale, upon the exercise of rights
     or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or
     obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other
     securities, (ii) the payment of a dividend in property other than Common
     Stock or (iii) the occurrence of any similar transaction, and in any case
     whether or not for fair value, shall not affect, and no adjustment by
     reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of
     Common Stock subject to options theretofore granted or the purchase price
     per share, unless the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion,
     than an adjustment is necessary to provide equitable treatment to Optionee.
     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, the
     Committee

                                       6

<PAGE>

     may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which any option may be
     exercised, including, but not limited to, upon the occurrence of the events
     specified in this Section 6.

     SECTION 7.  AMENDMENTS OR TERMINATION.  The Board may amend, alter or
discontinue the Plan, but no amendment or alteration shall be made which would
impair the rights of any Optionee, without his consent, under any option
theretofore granted, or which, without the approval of the stockholders, would:
(i) except as is provided in Section 6.(k) of the Plan, increase the total
number of shares reserved for the purposes of the Plan, (ii) change the class of
persons eligible to participate in the Plan as provided in Section 4 of the
Plan, (iii) extend the applicable maximum option period provided for in Section
6.(a) of the Plan, (iv) extend the expiration date of this Plan set forth in
Section 14 of the Plan, (v) except as provided in Section 6.(k) of the Plan,
decrease to any extent the option price of any option granted under the Plan or
(vi) withdraw the administration of the Plan from the Committee.

     SECTION 8.  COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS.  The Plan, the
grant and exercise of options thereunder, and the obligation of the Company to
sell and deliver shares under such options, shall be subject to all applicable
federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any
governmental or regulatory agency as may be required.  The Company shall not be
required to issue or deliver any certificates for shares of Common Stock prior
to the completion of any registration or qualification of such shares under any
federal or state law or issuance of any ruling or regulation of any government
body which the Company shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary
or advisable.  Any adjustments provided for in Sections 6.(j), 6.(k) and 6.(l)
shall be subject to any stockholder action required by Texas or federal law.

     SECTION 9.  PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT.  Unless the options and shares of
Common Stock covered by this Plan have been registered under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or the Company has determined that such registration is
unnecessary, each person exercising an option under this Plan may be required by
the Company to give a representation in writing that he or she is acquiring such
shares for his own account for investment and not with a view to, or for sale in
connection with, the distribution of any part thereof.

     SECTION 10.  TAXES.

          (a) The Company may make such provisions as it may deem appropriate
     for the withholding of any taxes which it determines is required in
     connection with any options granted under this Plan.

          (b) Notwithstanding the terms of Section 10.(a), any Optionee may pay
     all or any portion of the taxes required to be withheld by the Company or
     paid by him or her in connection with the exercise of a Nonqualified Option
     by electing to have the Company withhold shares of Common Stock, or by
     delivering previously owned shares of Common Stock, having a fair market
     value, determined in accordance with Section 6.(b), equal to the amount
     required to be withheld or paid.  An Optionee must make the foregoing
     election on or before the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is
     determined ("Tax Date").  All such elections are irrevocable and subject to
     disapproval by the Committee.  Elections by

                                       7

<PAGE>

     Optionees who are subject to the short-swing profits recapture provisions
     of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act ("Covered Optionee") are subject to
     the following additional restrictions:  (i) such election may not be made
     within six months of the grant of an option, provided that this limitation
     shall not apply in the event of death or disability, and (ii) such election
     must be made either six months or more prior to the Tax Date or in a period
     commencing on the third business day following the Company's release of a
     quarterly or annual summary statement of earnings and ending on the twelfth
     business day following such release. Where the Tax Date in respect of an
     option is deferred until six months after exercise and the Covered Optionee
     elects share withholding, the full amount of shares of Common Stock will be
     issued or transferred to him upon exercise of the option, but he or she
     shall be unconditionally obligated to tender back to the Company the number
     of shares necessary to discharge the Company's withholding obligation or
     his estimated tax obligation on the Tax Date.

     SECTION 11.  REPLACEMENT OF OPTIONS.  The Committee from time to time may
permit an Optionee under the Plan to surrender for cancellation any unexercised
outstanding option and receive from the Company in exchange an option for such
number of shares of Common Stock as may be designated by the Committee.  The
Committee may, with the consent of the person entitled to exercise any
outstanding option, amend such option, including reducing the exercise price of
any option to not less than the fair market value of the Common Stock at the
time of the amendment and extending the term thereof.

     SECTION 12.  NO RIGHT TO COMPANY EMPLOYMENT OR DIRECTORSHIP.  Nothing in
this Plan or as a result of any option granted pursuant to this Plan shall
confer on any individual any right to continue in the employ of the Company or
any Affiliate or to continue to serve on the Board of the Company or any
Affiliate or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any
Affiliate to terminate an individual's employment at any time. The option
agreements may contain such provisions as the Committee may approve with
reference to the effect of approved leaves of absence.

     SECTION 13.  LIABILITY OF COMPANY.  The Company and any Affiliate which is
in existence or hereafter comes into existence shall not be liable to an
Optionee or other persons as to:

          (a) Non-Issuance of Shares.  The non-issuance or sale of shares as to
     which the Company has been unable to obtain from any regulatory body having
     jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary
     to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder; and

          (b) Tax Consequences.  Any tax consequence expected, but not realized,
     by any Optionee or other person due to the exercise of any option granted
     hereunder.

     SECTION 14.  EFFECTIVENESS AND EXPIRATION OF PLAN.  The Plan became
effective upon adoption by the Board of Directors of the Bank on March 21, 1996
(the "Effective Date").  The Plan was presented and approved by the stockholders
of the Bank for the purposes of: (i) obtaining favorable treatment under Section
16(b) of the Exchange Act; and (ii) satisfying one of the

                                       8

<PAGE>

requirements of Section 422 of the Code governing the tax treatment for ISOs.
The Plan shall expire ten years after the Effective Date and thereafter no
option shall be granted pursuant to the Plan.

     SECTION 15.  NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN.  Neither the adoption by the
Board of Directors of the Bank nor the subsequent approval of the Plan by the
stockholders of the Bank shall be construed as creating any limitations on the
power of the Board of Directors of the Company to adopt such other incentive
arrangements as it may deem desirable, including without limitation, the
granting of restricted stock or stock options otherwise than under the Plan, and
such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in
specific cases.

     SECTION 16.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Plan and any agreements hereunder shall
be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas
and applicable federal law.

     Adopted by the Board of Directors of First Community Bank, National
Association on March 21, 1996 and amended and restated by the Board of
Directors of First Community Capital Corporation on July 26, 2001.

                         FIRST COMMUNITY CAPITAL CORPORATION

                         _____________________________________________
                         Nigel J. Harrison
                         President and Chief Executive Officer

ATTEST:

___________________________________________

                                       9

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