Document:

AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT
                          ---------------------------

     THIS  AMENDMENT  is made this 29th day of  October,  1999,  by and between
STEIN MART, INC. (the "Borrower"), a Florida corporation, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
successor to  NationsBank,  N.A.,  successor  to Barnett  Bank,  N.A.  ("Bank of
America"),  SUNTRUST BANK, NORTH FLORIDA, N.A. ("SunTrust") and BANK OF AMERICA,
N.A.,  successor to NationsBank,  N.A., successor to Barnett Bank, N.A. (in such
capacity,  and for so long as it shall  serve in such  capacity  hereunder,  the
"Agent"),  as Agent  for Bank of  America  and  SunTrust.  Bank of  America  and
SunTrust are collectively referred to herein as, the "Lenders".

                                    Recitals
                                    --------
     The Borrower,  the Lenders and the Agent entered into a Loan  Agreement (as
amended from time to time, the "Loan Agreement") dated August 25, 1998, pursuant
to which the  Lenders  have  provided a credit  facility  to the  Borrower.  The
parties wish to amend the Loan Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

     NOW, THEREFORE,  for good and valuable consideration,  the parties agree as
follows:

     1. Section 1.04 of the Loan Agreement is hereby  amended so that,  from and
after the date hereof, such section shall read as follows:

     1.04  Letters of Credit.  Bank of America  hereby  establishes  a letter of
credit  facility in an amount not to exceed  $5,000,000.00  for the  issuance of
standby and commercial letters of credit (the "Letters of Credit"). From time to
time prior to June 30, 2001, Bank of America,  upon the Borrower s request,  may
issue Letters of Credit.  The parties hereto  acknowledge that SunTrust will not
participate in the issuance of Letters of Credit  hereunder.  The Borrower shall
give Bank of America at least one business  day's notice prior to requesting the
issuance  of any Letter of Credit,  and shall,  with such  request,  fill out an
application  in form  acceptable  to Bank of America  and  execute  such  terms,
conditions and  reimbursement  agreements  (each, a  "Reimbursement  Agreement")
concerning  such  Letter of Credit as Bank of America  may  require.  The amount
available  under the  letter of credit  facility  shall be  reduced  by the face
amount of  outstanding  Letters  of Credit  (together  with the amount of drafts
under Letters of Credit no longer  outstanding for which Bank of America has not
been  reimbursed).  No Letter of Credit  shall be issued which could be drawn on
after the expiration of the Revolving Period. In the event of a draw on a Letter
of Credit,  an advance under the  Revolving  Notes or, if advances are available
thereunder,  under the Seasonal Notes,  shall be made to the extent that amounts
are then  available for borrowing  under such notes to reimburse Bank of America
for such  draw.  If any draw is made  under  any  Letter  of  Credit  after  the
expiration  of the  Revolving  Period  or if funds  are not then  available  for
advances under such notes, the Borrower shall  immediately upon demand reimburse
Bank of America for the amount of the draw together  with  interest  thereon and
such other amounts as may be due under any applicable  Reimbursement  Agreement.
As to any Letter of Credit  issued,  the Borrower  agrees to pay Bank of America
upon  demand  any  applicable  fees  quoted by Bank of  America on or before the
issuance of the Letter of Credit, including,  without limitation,  issuance fees
and  negotiation  fees.  Bank of America  shall not in any event be  required to
issue a Letter of Credit after the  occurrence  of a Default or Event of Default
hereunder.

                                       17
<PAGE>

     2. The Loan  Agreement is hereby  amended so that,  from and after the date
hereof, all references therein to "Barnett" shall mean Bank of America, N.A.

     3. The  Borrower  certifies  that  as of the  date  hereof:  (a) all of its
representations  and warranties in the Loan Agreement are true and correct as if
made on the date  hereof;  and (b) no Default or Event of Default  has  occurred
under the Loan  Agreement.  The Loan Agreement  shall continue in full force and
effect except as modified herein.

        DATED the day and year first above written.

                                              STEIN MART, INC.

                                              By: /s/ James G. Delfs
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Its: Senior Vice President - CFO
                                              ----------------------------------

                                              BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
                                              as agent

                                              By:/s/ Susan Delgado
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Its: Vice-President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                              BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

                                              By:/s/ Susan Delgado
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Its: Vice-President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                              SUNTRUST BANK, NORTH FLORIDA, N.A.

                                              By:/s/ C. William Buchholz
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Its: First Vice-President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                       18
<PAGE>
                                    CONSENT
                                    -------
     The undersigned has executed a Guaranty of Payment (the  "Guaranty")  dated
August 25, 1998,  pursuant to which it has  guaranteed  certain  obligations  of
Stein Mart,  Inc.  (the  "Borrower")  to Bank of  America,  N.A.,  successor  to
NationsBank,  N.A.,  successor to Barnett  Bank,  N.A.  ("Bank of America")  and
SunTrust Bank, North Florida,  N.A.  ("SunTrust").  Bank of America and SunTrust
are  collectively  referred to herein as the "Lenders." The  undersigned  hereby
consents to the  Borrower s execution of an  Amendment  to Loan  Agreement  (the
"Amendment")  of even date herewith by and between the Borrower and the Lenders.
The undersigned reaffirms its obligations under the Guaranty and agrees that its
obligations under the Guaranty shall not be discharged or otherwise  impaired as
a result of the Borrower s execution of the Amendment.

        Dated as of October 29th, 1999.

                                                  STEIN MART BUYING CORP.

                                                  By:/s/ James G. Delfs
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Its: Senior Vice President-CFO
                                                  ------------------------------
ACCEPTED:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as agent for Lenders

By:/s/ Susan Delgado
--------------------
Its: Vice-President
--------------------

                                       19

<PAGE>
                             OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE
                             ---------------------

     The undersigned certifies to Bank of America, N.A. and SunTrust Bank, North

Florida, N.A. that:

     1. The  undersigned is currently  serving as Secretary of Stein Mart Buying

Corp. (the "Company"), a Florida corporation.

     2. On the date of this  Certificate,  the persons below are duly  qualified

and acting  officers  of the  Company.  Each such  officer  was duly  elected or

appointed as an officer by the directors of the Company.  The signature opposite

the name of each such officer is his authentic signature.

      Name                        Title                    Signature
      ----                        -----                    ---------
James G. Delfs          Senior Vice President-CFO    /s/ James G. Delfs
-------------------     -------------------------    ------------------

     3. The Company s Board of Directors or Executive Committee has duly adopted

the resolutions  attached hereto as Exhibit "A." Such  resolutions have not been

amended or rescinded as of the date of this Certificate.

        Dated this 29th day of October, 1999.

                                                 Signature:/s/ James G. Delfs
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Print Name: James G. Delfs
                                                 -------------------------------
                                       20
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT "A"

                                  RESOLUTIONS
                                  -----------

     WHEREAS, Stein Mart, Inc. (the "Company"), Bank of America, N.A., successor
to  NationsBank,  N.A.,  successor to Barnett Bank, N.A. ("Bank of America") and
SunTrust Bank, North Florida,  N.A.  ("SunTrust")  (Bank of America and SunTrust
being collectively  referred to herein as, the "Lenders") have entered into that
certain  loan  agreement  (as amended or restated  from time to time,  the "Loan
Agreement")  dated August 25, 1998,  pursuant to which the Lenders have provided
certain credit facilities to the Company; and

     WHEREAS,  the Company has requested that the Lenders amend the terms of the
Loan Agreement;

     RESOLVED,  that the Company's  officers,  and each of them, be and they are
hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver such loan documents as are
necessary  to amend  the Loan  Agreement  on such  terms and  conditions  as are
acceptable to such officers, or any of them;

     FURTHER RESOLVED,  that the Company's officers,  or any of them, are hereby
authorized  and  directed  to  deliver to the  Lenders  such  corporate  papers,
certificates  and other  papers and  documents  as may be necessary or proper in
order  to  consummate  the   transactions   authorized  in  this  and  preceding
resolutions; and,

     FURTHER RESOLVED,  that the execution by the Company's officers,  or any of
them, of any documents or instruments authorized by the foregoing resolutions or
any  document  or  instrument  executed in the  accomplishment  of any action or
actions authorized or the execution of any amendment or modification of any such
document or instrument shall be deemed to be conclusive approval thereof by this
Company and the binding act and obligation of this Company.

                                       21
 <PAGE>
                             OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE
                             ---------------------

     The undersigned certifies to Bank of America, N.A. and SunTrust Bank, North

Florida, N.A. that:

     1. The  undersigned is currently  serving as Secretary of Stein Mart,  Inc.

(the "Company"), a Florida corporation.

     2. On the date of this  Certificate,  the persons below are duly  qualified

and acting  officers  of the  Company.  Each such  officer  was duly  elected or

appointed as an officer by the directors of the Company.  The signature opposite

the name of each such officer is his authentic signature.

     Name                          Title                        Signature
    -----                          -----                        ---------
James G. Delfs            Senior Vice President-CFO        /s/ James G. Delfs
-------------------      --------------------------        ---------------------

     3. The Company's Board of Directors or Executive Committee has duly adopted

the resolutions  attached hereto as Exhibit "A." Such  resolutions have not been

amended or rescinded as of the date of this Certificate.

        Dated this 29th  day of October, 1999.

                                                Signature:  /s/ James G. Delfs
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Print Name: James G. Delfs
                                                --------------------------------
                                       22
<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT "A"

                                   RESOLUTIONS
                                   -----------

     WHEREAS,  Stein Mart Buying Corp. (the "Company") has previously executed a
Guaranty of Payment (as amended or restated from time to time, the  "Guaranty"),
dated  August 25,  1998,  pursuant to which the Company has  guaranteed  certain
obligations  of Stein Mart,  Inc.  (the  "Borrower")  to Bank of America,  N.A.,
successor to  NationsBank,  N.A.,  successor  to Barnett  Bank,  N.A.  ("Bank of
America")  and  SunTrust  Bank,  North  Florida,  N.A.  ("SunTrust"),   as  more
particularly described in the Guaranty; and

     WHEREAS,  the  Borrower  is  this  day  entering  into  an  amendment  (the
"Amendment") to that certain loan agreement (as amended or restated from time to
time,  the "Loan  Agreement"),  dated August 25, 1998,  entered into between the
Borrower, Bank of America and SunTrust;

     RESOLVED,  that Stein Mart Buying Corp. (the "Company")  hereby consents to
the  execution  of the  Amendment  between  the  Borrower,  Bank of America  and
SunTrust;

     FURTHER  RESOLVED,  that the Company's  officers,  and each of them, be and
they are hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver such consents and
such other documents as are necessary to consummate the  transactions  described
in the preceding  paragraph on behalf of the Company and such other  instruments
or written  obligations  that may be  required by Bank of America or SunTrust in
connection  with the  execution  of the  Amendment  containing  such  terms  and
conditions as are acceptable to such officers, or any of them;

     FURTHER RESOLVED,  that the Company's officers,  or any of them, are hereby
authorized  and  directed  to  deliver  to Bank of  America  and  SunTrust  such
corporate  papers,  certificates  and  other  papers  and  documents  as  may be
necessary or proper in order to consummate the  transactions  authorized in this
and preceding resolutions; and,

     FURTHER RESOLVED,  that the execution by the Company's officers,  or any of
them, of any documents or instruments authorized by the foregoing resolutions or
any  document  or  instrument  executed in the  accomplishment  of any action or
actions authorized or the execution of any amendment or modification of any such
document or instrument shall be deemed to be conclusive approval thereof by this
Company and the binding act and obligation of this Company.

                                       23STEIN MART, INC.
                             SPLIT DOLLAR AGREEMENT

THIS  AGREEMENT,  made as of this 1st day of September 1999 by and between STEIN
MART,  INC., a Corporation with its principal place of business at Jacksonville,
Florida,  (hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation"), and <<EXECUTIVE NAME>>
(hereinafter referred to as the "Executive").

WHEREAS,  the  Executive  is a  valued  employee  of  the  Corporation  and  the
Corporation  wishes  to  secure,  for  itself,  the  benefits  of  a  continuing
association with the Executive; and

WHEREAS, the Executive is expected to perform his or her duties in a capable and
efficient  manner,  resulting  in  substantial  growth and  productivity  to the
Corporation; and

WHEREAS,  the  experience of the Executive is such that  assurance of his or her
continued  services is essential to the future growth and  profitability  of the
Corporation.

NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                               INSURANCE COVERAGE

The  Corporation  will enter into various  contracts of insurance on the life of
the Executive  which are listed on Exhibit A. ("Policies")

                                   ARTICLE II
                                PREMIUM PAYMENTS

On or before the due date of each premium payment on the Policies, or within the
grace period provided therein,  the Corporation shall pay the full amount of the
premium to the insurance company providing the insurance coverage.

                                   ARTICLE III
                             BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

Contemporaneously  with the  execution  of this  Agreement,  the  Executive  has
executed a Beneficiary  Designation  form setting forth the name or names of the
beneficiary  or  beneficiaries  ("Beneficiary")  entitled  to  receive  benefits
hereunder.  The Executive shall have the right, from time to time, to change the
Beneficiary by executing a Beneficiary Designation form and submitting it to the
Corporation.

                                       24
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE IV
                                 DEATH BENEFITS

The Executive shall be entitled to the following as a Death Benefit:

a.   In the event of the  Executive's  death prior to  Retirement
     (as defined in Article V.), the  Beneficiary  shall  receive
     from the death  proceeds  an amount  equal to five (5) times
     the Executive's current annual compensation determined as of
     July 1 of each Plan Year.

b.   In the event of the Executive's death after Retirement,  the
     Beneficiary  shall receive from the death proceeds an amount
     equal to 50% of the amount  determined under a, above, as of
     the Executive's date of Retirement.

All death proceeds of the Policies remaining after the payment of Death Benefits
to the Beneficiary shall be paid directly to the Corporation.

                                    ARTICLE V
                                   RETIREMENT

Retirement  shall mean the first day of the month  following  the month in which
the Executive  ceases  employment with the Corporation on or after attaining age
62.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                              PLAN ANNIVERSARY DATE

Plan  Anniversary  Date shall be every  September 1, subsequent to the date this
Agreement is executed.
                                   ARTICLE VII
                            TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall terminate 30 days after the first to occur of the following
events;  (A) upon the giving of prior written  notice of  termination  by either
party to the other party to this  Agreement,  with or without the consent of the
other party;  or (B) the date of the  Executive's  termination of employment for
any  reason  other  than   Retirement.   Upon  Termination  of  this  Agreement,
Corporation  shall offer the Policies for sale to the  Executive for the greater
of the policy cash value or the cumulative  premiums paid on the policy.  If the
Executive  chooses not to purchase the Policies,  the Executive  shall cooperate
with the  Corporation  by  executing  all such  documents  as are  necessary  to
transfer the Policies to the sole and absolute ownership of the Corporation.

                                       25
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                               OWNERSHIP OF POLICY

The  Corporation  shall be the sole and absolute owner of the Policies,  and may
exercise all ownership  rights  granted to the owner thereof by the terms of the
Policies,  except as may be provided herein. In addition,  the Corporation shall
keep  possession  of the  Policies,  but agrees,  from time to time, to make the
Policies available to the Executive.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                    BORROWING

The  Corporation  shall have the right to borrow  against  the cash value of the
Policies,  but only in an  amount  such that the total  outstanding  loan,  plus
accrued  interest  thereon,  shall  not  reduce  the net  death  benefit  of the
insurance  policy  to less  than the  amount  payable  to the  Beneficiary.  The
Corporation  agrees to repay the  borrowed  amounts  to the extent  required  to
ensure the full payment of the Death Benefits to the Beneficiary.

                                    ARTICLE X
                               STATUS OF AGREEMENT

The  benefits  payable  under this  Agreement  shall be  independent  of, and in
addition  to, any other  employment  agreement  that may exist from time to time
between the parties hereto, or any other compensation payable by the Corporation
to the Executive,  whether as salary,  bonus or otherwise.  This Agreement shall
not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between the parties hereto,
nor  shall  any  provision  hereof  restrict  the  right of the  Corporation  to
discharge the Executive, or restrict the right of the Executive to terminate his
employment, except as to the vesting of benefits under Article VII.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                            REVOCATION AND AMENDMENT

This  Agreement  may be  revoked  or be amended in whole or in part by a written
agreement signed by both of the parties hereto.

                                   ARTICLE XII
                                  CONSTRUCTION

This  Agreement is a Florida  contract  and shall be  construed  and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Florida.

                                       26
<PAGE>
                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                 NAMED FIDUCIARY

The  Compensation  Committee of the Board of  Directors  (or its  successor)  is
hereby  designated  the "Named  Fiduciary"  until  resignation or removal by the
Corporation's Board of Directors.  The Named Fiduciary shall be responsible for,
and shall have the sole  discretion  to decide  all  matters  pertaining  to the
management,  control,  interpretation and administration of this Agreement. Such
discretion  includes,  but is not limited to, determining the qualification for,
and the amount of,  benefits  payable under this  Agreement,  and  employment or
retirement  status. The Named Fiduciary shall apply its discretion in good faith
and any  decisions  made in good faith shall be binding upon all parties to this
Agreement.  The Named  Fiduciary may delegate to others  certain  aspects of the
management and operational  responsibilities  of this  Agreement,  including the
employment of advisors and the delegation of any ministerial duties to qualified
individuals.

                                   ARTICEL XIV
                                CLAIMS PROCEDURE

Claim forms or claim  information as to the Policy can be obtained by contacting
the Senior  Vice  President  of Human  Resources  of Stein  Mart,  Inc.,  at its
corporate headquarters.

When a claimant  has a claim which may be covered  under the  Policy,  he or she
should  contact the Named  Fiduciary  who will  contact the office or the person
named  above,  who  will  either  complete  a claim  form and  forward  it to an
authorized  representative  of the  Insurer or advise the Named  Fiduciary  what
further requirements are necessary. Under normal circumstances, the Insurer will
evaluate  the claim  and make a  decision  as to  payment  within 45 days  after
receipt of the claim.  However, if special circumstances require an extension of
time to process a claim,  a final  decision  may be deferred up to 90 days after
receipt of the claim if prior to the end of the initial  45-day period the Named
Fiduciary is furnished written notice of the special circumstances requiring the
extension and the anticipated  date of a final decision.  If the claim is denied
within the applicable  period of time set out above,  the Named  Fiduciary shall
receive  written  notification  of the denial,  which notice shall set forth the
specific reasons for the denial, the relevant  provisions of the Policy on which
the denial is based, and the claim review procedure under the Policy.

                                       27
<PAGE>
If the claim is payable,  a benefit  check will be issued to  Executive's  Named
Beneficiary  in an  amount  equal  to the  benefits  payable  to such  person(s)
pursuant to this  Agreement and a benefit check will be issued to Corporation in
an  amount  equal to the  remaining  Policy  Proceeds.  Benefit  checks  will be
forwarded  through the Director of Human  Resources  of Stein Mart,  Inc. In the
event a claim is denied  or in the event no action is taken on the claim  within
the above-described period(s) of time, the following procedure shall be used:

a.   First in the event that the Named  Fiduciary does not timely
     receive the above-described written notification,  the Named
     Fiduciary's  request  for  benefits  shall be  deemed  to be
     denied as of the last day of the relevant period.

b.   Second,  the Named Fiduciary shall, in its discretion,  take
     any and all  reasonable  actions  as it deems  necessary  to
     perfect the claim.

c.   Once a decision has been rendered as to the  distribution of
     proceeds under the claim procedure described above as to the
     Policy, claims for any benefits due under this Agreement may
     be made in writing by Corporation or the  Executive's  Named
     Beneficiary,  as the case may be,  to the  Named  Fiduciary.
     Under normal circumstances, a final decision on a claimant's
     request  for  benefits  shall be made  within 45 days  after
     receipt of the  claim.  However,  if  special  circumstances
     require an  extension  of time to  process a claim,  a final
     decision may be deferred up to 90 days after  receipt of the
     claim if prior to the end of the initial  45-day  period the
     claimant  is  furnished   written   notice  of  the  special
     circumstances  requiring the  extension and the  anticipated
     date of a final decision.  If the claim is denied,  in whole
     or in part,  within  the  applicable  period of time set out
     above,  the claimant shall receive  written  notification of
     the  denial,  which  notice  shall set  forth  the  specific
     reasons  for the  denial,  the  relevant  provisions  of the
     Agreement on which the denial is based, and the claim review
     procedure under the Agreement.

d.   In the  event a claim is denied or in the event no action is
     taken on the claim within the  above-described  period(s) of
     time, the following procedure shall be used:

     1) First,  in the  event  that the  claimant  does  not  timely
        receive  the  above-described   written  notification,   the
        claimant's request for benefits shall be deemed to be denied
        as of the last day of the relevant period.

     2) Second,  a claimant  is  entitled to a full review of his or
        her claim after  actual or  constructive  notification  of a
        denial.  A claimant  desiring  a review  must make a written
        request  to the Named  Fiduciary  requesting  such a review,
        which  may  include  whatever   comments  or  arguments  the
        claimant  wishes to  submit.  Incident  to the  review,  the
        claimant  may  represent  himself  or  herself  or appoint a
        representative  to do so, and will have the right to inspect
        all documents  pertaining to the issue. The Named Fiduciary,
        in its sole discretion, may schedule any meeting(s) with the
        claimant  and/or  the  claimant's  representative  it  deems
        necessary  or  appropriate  to  facilitate  or expedite  its
        review of a denied claim.
                                       28
<PAGE>
     3) A  request  for a  review  must  be  filed  with  the  Named
        Fiduciary  within 60 days  after the denial of the claim for
        benefits  was  actually  or  constructively  received by the
        claimant.  If no request is received  within the 60-day time
        limit, the denial of benefits will be final.  However,  if a
        request for review of a denied  claim is timely  filed,  the
        Named  Fiduciary  must  render  its  decision  under  normal
        circumstances  within 45 days of the  receipt of the request
        for review.  In special  circumstances  the  decision may be
        delayed if prior to expiration of the initial  45-day period
        the claimant is notified of the  extension,  but must in any
        event be rendered no later than 90 days after the receipt of
        the request.  If the decision on review is not  furnished to
        the claimant  within the  applicable  time period(s) set out
        above,  the claim shall be deemed  denied on the last day of
        the relevant  period.  All decisions of the Named  Fiduciary
        shall be in writing and shall include  specific  reasons for
        whatever  action has been taken,  and the  provisions of the
        Agreement on which the decision is based.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the said Corporation has caused this Agreement to be signed
in its corporate name by its duly authorized officer,  and properly attested to,
and the said  Executive  has hereunto  set his hand,  all as of the day and year
first above written.

STEIN MART, INC.                                  <<EXECUTIVE NAME>>

By:-----------------------                        ------------------------------

                                       29
<PAGE>

                                STEIN MART, INC.
                       EXHIBIT A TO SPLIT DOLLAR AGREEMENT

The various  contracts  of insurance as referred to in Article I of the attached
Split Dollar Agreement are as follows:

                                   Insurance                          Policy
Insured                            Carrier                            Number(s)
-------                            ---------                          ---------
<<Executive Name>>

                                       30

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00006-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00006-of-00352.parquet"}]]