Document:

<PAGE>

--------------------
Exhibit 10(vii)
To Nucor Corporation
2001 Form 10-K
--------------------

                         EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into between Nucor Corporation, a
Delaware corporation, on behalf of itself and its affiliates (collectively
"Nucor"), and John J. Ferriola, a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina (the
"Employee").

     WHEREAS, Employee has been employed as an "at-will" employee of Nucor;

     WHEREAS, Nucor has offered Employee a promotion to a new position; and

     WHEREAS, the parties wish to formalize their employment relationship in
writing and for Nucor to continue Employee's employment under the terms and
conditions set forth below;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration for the promises and mutual agreements
contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

     1.   Employment. Nucor agrees to employ Employee in the position of
         -----------
Executive Vice President Sheet Mills, and Employee agrees to accept employment
in this position, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.

     2.   Signing Payment. Nucor will pay Employee a one-time $10,000 amount
          ---------------
for executing this Agreement. This $10,000 will become due and payable to
Employee upon Employee's execution of this Agreement.

     3.   Compensation and Benefits During Employment. Nucor will provide the
          -------------------------------------------
following compensation and benefits to Employee:

     (a.) Nucor will pay Employee a base salary of $277,200 per year, paid on
a monthly basis, subject to withholding by Nucor and other deductions as
required by law. This amount is subject to adjustment up or down by Nucor's
Board of Directors at its sole discretion and without notice to Employee.

     (b.) Employee will be eligible for bonuses based on the Senior Officer
Incentive Compensation Plans, as modified from time to time by, and in the sole
discretion of, the Board of Directors of Nucor.

     (c.) Employee will be eligible for those employee benefits that are
generally made available by Nucor to its employees.

     (d.) Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Key Employees
Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan") in accordance with the
applicable terms and conditions of the Option Plan and a Key Employee Stock
Option Certificate issued to Employee.

                                                                    Page 1 of 7

<PAGE>

     4.   Compensation Following Termination.
          ----------------------------------

     (a.) From the date of Employee's termination, whether by Employee or Nucor
for any or no reason, Nucor will pay Employee a monthly amount for twenty-four
(24) months following Employee's termination. The monthly amount will be
computed using the following formula: the amount of Employee's highest base
salary level during the prior twelve months multiplied by 3.36 and the product
divided by twelve. The payments shall be made at the end of each month
following Employee's termination on Nucor's regular monthly payroll date.

     (b.) In exchange for Nucor's promises in this Section 4 and other good and
valuable consideration, Employee agrees to strictly abide by the terms of
Sections 10, 11, 13, and 17 of this Agreement. If Employee fails to strictly
abide by the terms of Sections 10, 11, 13, and 17 of this Agreement, Nucor may,
at its option, do any or all of the following: (i) pursue any legal remedies
available to it (including but not limited to injunctive relief, damages, and
specific performance), and (ii) declare the monthly payment forfeited with
respect to any month during which Employee is in breach of this Agreement.
Nucor may declare the monthly payment forfeited if Employee is in breach of
this Agreement for any portion of the month at issue, and Employee will not be
entitled to a payment for that month.

     (c.) If Employee is employed by Nucor at the time of Employee's death,
Nucor's obligations to make any monthly payments under this Agreement will
automatically terminate and Employee's estate and executors will have no rights
to payments under this Agreement. If Employee dies during the first twelve
months following Employee's termination from employment with Nucor, then Nucor
will pay Employee's estate the monthly payments through the end of the twelfth
month following Employee's termination. If Employee dies twelve or more months
after termination of Employee's employment with Nucor, then Nucor's obligations
to make monthly payments under this Agreement will automatically terminate
without the necessity of Nucor providing written notice.

     5.   Duties and Responsibilities; Best Efforts. While employed by Nucor,
          -----------------------------------------
Employee shall perform such duties for and on behalf of Nucor as may be
determined and assigned to Employee from time to time by members of Nucor's
Board of Directors. Employee shall devote his full time and best efforts to the
business and affairs of Nucor. During the term of Employee's employment with
Nucor, Employee will not undertake other paid employment or engage in any other
business activity without prior written consent of Nucor.

     6.   Employment at Will. The parties acknowledge and agree that this
          ------------------
Agreement does not create employment for a definite term and that Employee's
employment with Nucor is terminable by Nucor or Employee at any time, with or
without cause and with or without notice, unless otherwise expressly set forth
in a separate written agreement executed by Employee and Nucor after the date
of this Agreement.

     7.   Change in Employee's Position. In the event that Nucor transfers,
          -----------------------------
demotes, promotes, or otherwise changes Employee's compensation or position
with Nucor, the restrictions and post-termination obligations of this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect on both parties.

                                                                    Page 2 of 7

<PAGE>

     8.   Recognition of Nucor's Legitimate Interests. Employee understands and
          -------------------------------------------
acknowledges that Nucor and its affiliates compete in North America in the
research, manufacture, marketing, sale and distribution of steel and steel
products, including but not limited to flat-rolled steel, steel shapes,
structural steel, steel plate, steel joists and girders, steel deck, steel
fasteners, and metal building systems. As part of Employee's employment with
Nucor, Employee will be provided significant Confidential Information by Nucor
(as defined below). In addition, Employee will have direct contact with Nucor's
customers, in which capacity he is expected to develop good relationships with
such customers. Employee acknowledges that Nucor's competitors would obtain an
unfair advantage if Employee disclosed the Confidential Information to a
competitor, used it in a competitor's behalf, or if he were able to exploit the
relationships he developed as an employee of Nucor to solicit business on
behalf of a competitor.

     9.   Definition of Confidential Information. As used in this Agreement,
          --------------------------------------
Confidential Information shall include, without limitation, financial and
budgetary information and strategies; plant design, specifications, and
layouts; equipment design, specifications, and layouts; product design and
specifications; manufacturing processes, procedures, and specifications; data
processing or other computer programs; research and development projects;
marketing information and strategies; customer lists; vendor lists; information
about customer preferences and buying patterns; information about prospective
customers, vendors, or business opportunities; information about Nucor's costs
and the pricing structure used in sales to customers; information about Nucor's
overall corporate business strategy; and technological innovations used in the
business.

     10.  Agreement to Maintain Confidentiality.
          -------------------------------------

     (a.) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, during Employee's
employment with Nucor and at all times after the termination of Employee's
employment, Employee covenants and agrees to treat as confidential and not to
negligently or intentionally disclose, and to use only for the advancement of
the interests of Nucor, all Confidential Information submitted to the Employee
or received, compiled, developed, designed, produced, accessed, or otherwise
discovered by the Employee from time to time while employed by Nucor. Employee
will not disclose or divulge the Confidential Information to any person,
entity, firm or company whatsoever or use the Confidential Information for
Employee's own benefit or for the benefit of any person, entity, firm or
company other than Nucor.

     (b.) Employee specifically acknowledges that the Confidential Information,
whether reduced to writing or maintained in the mind or memory of Employee, and
whether compiled or created by Employee, Nucor, or any of its affiliates or
customers, derives independent economic value from not being readily known to
or ascertainable by proper means by others who could obtain economic value from
the disclosure or use of the Confidential Information. Employee also
acknowledges that reasonable efforts have been put forth by Nucor to maintain
the secrecy of the Confidential Information, that the Confidential Information
is and will remain the sole property of Nucor or any of its affiliates or
customers, as the case may be, and that any retention and/or use of
Confidential Information during or after the termination of Employee's

                                                                    Page 3 of 7

<PAGE>

employment with Nucor (except in the regular course of performing his duties
hereunder) will constitute a misappropriation of the Confidential Information
belonging to Nucor.

     (c.) Employee's obligations under this Section 10 will survive termination
of his employment and will continue indefinitely. For purposes of this Section,
information shall not be deemed to be "Confidential Information" to the extent
that the information (i) is in the public domain, or hereafter becomes
generally known or available through no action or omission on the part of
Employee; (ii) is furnished to any person by Nucor without restriction on
disclosure; (iii) becomes known to the Employee from a source other than Nucor,
without a breach of any agreement with Nucor and without any restriction on
disclosure; (iv) is required to be disclosed by judicial action, provided,
however, that prompt notice of said judicial action shall have been given to
Nucor and that efforts to avoid disclosure shall have been exhausted; or (v) is
disclosed after written approval for the disclosure has been given by Nucor.

     11.  Noncompetition.
          --------------

     (a.) Employee hereby agrees that for the duration of Employee's employment
with Nucor, and for a period of twenty-four (24) months thereafter, Employee
will NOT, within the Restricted Territory, do any of the following:

          (1)  Engage directly or indirectly (either as an owner, employee,
     consultant, or in any similar capacity) in the research, development,
     manufacture, marketing, sale, or distribution of steel or steel products
     which are the same as or similar to those in development, manufactured,
     and/or sold by Nucor on the date of Employee's termination.

          (2)  Solicit or encourage any customers of Nucor (a) with whom
     Employee had direct contact during the last twelve (12) months of
     Employee's employment with Nucor, and (b) who remain Nucor customers at
     the time of solicitation, to purchase steel or steel products from any
     entity other than Nucor.

          (3)  Encourage, induce, or attempt to induce any employees of Nucor
     (a) with whom Employee had direct contact during the last twelve (12)
     months of Employee's employment with Nucor, and (b) who remain employed
     by Nucor at the time of the attempted inducement, to end their employment
     relationship with Nucor.

     (b.) As used in this provision, "Restricted Territory" shall mean the
following:

          (1)  The United States, Canada, and Mexico.

          (2)  If the definition in subparagraph (b)(1) is found to be
     unreasonable with respect to subparagraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of
     this Section 11, then with regard to such subparagraph, the term
     "Restricted Territory" shall mean the United States.

          (3)  If the definitions in subparagraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) are found
     to be unreasonable with respect to subparagraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or
     (a)(3) of this Section 11, then with regard to such subparagraph, the
     term "Restricted Territory" shall mean each state in

                                                                    Page 4 of 7

<PAGE>

     the United States in which Nucor has a manufacturing facility or plant on
     the date of the termination of Employee's employment with Nucor (at the
     time of entry into this Agreement, these states include North Carolina,
     South Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Nebraska, Utah, Indiana, and
     New York).

     (c.) Employee specifically agrees that the post-termination restrictions
in this Section 11 will apply to Employee regardless of whether termination of
employment is initiated by Nucor or Employee and regardless of the reason for
termination of Employee's employment. Further, Employee acknowledges and agrees
that Nucor's payment of the compensation described in Section 4 is intended to
compensate Employee for the limitations on Employee's competitive activities
described in this Section 11 for the two-year period following Employee's
employment with Nucor regardless of the reason for termination. Thus, for
example, in the event that Nucor terminates Employee's employment without
cause, Employee expressly agrees that the restrictions in this Section 11 will
apply to Employee notwithstanding the reasons or motivations of Nucor in
terminating Employee's employment.

     12.  Severability. It is the intention of the parties to restrict the
          ------------
activities of Employee only to the extent reasonably necessary for the
protection of Nucor's legitimate interests. The parties specifically covenant
and agree that should any of the provisions in this Agreement be deemed by a
court of competent jurisdiction too broad for the protection of Nucor's
legitimate interests, the parties authorize the court to narrow, limit or
modify the restrictions herein to the extent reasonably necessary to accomplish
such purpose. In the event such limiting construction is impossible, such
invalid or unenforceable provision shall be deemed severed from this Agreement
and every other provision of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect.

     13.  Assignment of Intellectual Property Rights.
          ------------------------------------------

     (a.) Employee hereby assigns to Nucor Employee's entire right, title and
interest, including copyrights and patents, in any idea, invention, design of a
useful article (whether the design is ornamental or otherwise), and any other
work of authorship (collectively the "Developments"), made or conceived during
Employee's employment by Nucor solely or jointly by Employee, or created wholly
or in part by Employee, whether or not such Developments are patentable,
copyrightable or susceptible to other forms of protection, where the
Developments: (i) relate to Nucor's actual or anticipated business or research
or development, or (ii) are suggested by or result from any work performed by
Employee on Nucor's behalf.

     (b.) In connection with any of the Developments assigned in subparagraph
(a) above: (i) Employee will promptly disclose them to Nucor's management; and
(ii) Employee will, on Nucor's request, promptly execute a specific assignment
of title to Nucor or its designee, and do anything else reasonably necessary to
enable Nucor or its designee to secure a patent, copyright, or other form of
protection therefore in the United States and in any other applicable country.

     14. Enforcement. In addition to any other remedies available to Nucor,
         -----------
the provisions of this Agreement may be enforced by injunction to (a) restrain
any violation by Employee, Employee's partners, agents, servants, employers,
and employees, and all persons acting for or with Employee, and (b) to compel
specific performance of the terms and conditions of this

                                                                    Page 5 of 7

<PAGE>

Agreement. Employee represents and acknowledges that in the event of the
termination of Employee's employment for any reason, Employee's experience and
capabilities are such that Employee can obtain employment and that enforcement
of this Agreement by way of injunction will not prevent Employee from earning a
livelihood.

     15. Reasonableness of Restrictions. Employee has carefully considered the
         ------------------------------
nature and extent of the restrictions upon him and the rights and remedies
conferred upon Nucor under Sections 4, 10, 11, 13, and 14 and hereby
acknowledges and agrees that the same are reasonable in time and territory, are
designed to eliminate competition which would otherwise be unfair to Nucor, do
not interfere with Employee's exercise of his inherent skill and experience,
are reasonably required to protect the legitimate interests of Nucor, and do
not confer a benefit upon Nucor disproportionate to the detriment to the
Employee. Employee certifies that he has had the opportunity to discuss this
Agreement with such legal advisors as he chooses and that he understands its
provisions and has entered into this Agreement freely and voluntarily.

     16.  Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted, construed and
          --------------
governed according to the laws of the State of North Carolina, regardless of
choice of law principles to the contrary. Further, Nucor and Employee agree
that in any dispute between them jurisdiction and venue are appropriate in
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

     17.  Employee to Return Property. Employee agrees that upon (a) the
          ---------------------------
termination of Employee's employment with Nucor, whether by Employee or Nucor
for any reason (with or without cause), or (b) the written request of Nucor,
Employee (or in the event of the death or disability of Employee, Employee's
heirs, successors, assigns and legal representatives) shall return to Nucor any
and all property of Nucor, including but not limited to all Confidential
Information, notes, data, tapes, computers, lists, reference items, phones,
documents, sketches, drawings, software, product samples, rolodex cards, forms,
manuals, and equipment, without retaining any copies or summaries of such
property.

     18.  Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement discharges and cancels
          ----------------------------
all previous agreements and constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties with regard to the subject matter hereof. No agreements,
representations, or statements of any party not contained herein shall be
binding on either party. Further, no amendment or variation of the terms or
conditions of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by
both parties.

     19. Assignability. This Agreement and the rights and duties created
         -------------
hereunder shall not be assignable or delegable by Employee. Nucor may, at its
option and without consent of Employee, assign its rights and duties hereunder
to any successor entity or transferee of Nucor's assets.

     20. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
         --------------
benefit of Nucor and Employee and their respective successors, assigns, heirs
and legal representatives.

     21.  No Waiver. No failure or delay by any party to this Agreement to
          ---------
enforce any right specified in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such
right, nor will any single or

                                                                    Page 6 of 7

<PAGE>

partial exercise of a right preclude any further or later enforcement of the
right within the period of the applicable statute of limitations.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the dates
specified below.

                                       JOHN J. FERRIOLA

                                                   /s/ JOHN J. FERRIOLA_
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       John J. Ferriola

                                       Date:      1/30/02
                                            -----------------------------------

                                       NUCOR CORPORATION

                                       By:     /s/ TERRY S. LISENBY
                                          -------------------------------------
                                       Its:    Executive Vice President and CFO
                                           ------------------------------------
                                       Date:      1/30/02
                                            -----------------------------------

                                                                    Page 7 of 7EXHIBIT 10.2

                     Loan Agreement, dated December 26, 2001
                                     between
         Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and Provident Bank, as Lender,
                           and related Promissory Note

<PAGE>

                                 LOAN AGREEMENT
                                 --------------

         THIS LOAN AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is dated as of December 26, 2001
by and between VIRGINIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC., a Virginia corporation (the
"Borrower") and PROVIDENT BANK, a Maryland banking corporation (the "Lender").
Virginia Commerce Bank joins in the execution hereof solely to agree to those
covenants contained in ARTICLE VI hereof which are applicable to it.

                                    RECITALS

         A. The Borrower has applied to the Lender for a loan in the maximum
principal amount of $12,000,000 (the "Loan"), to be used by the Borrower for the
uses specified in this Agreement.

         B. The Lender is willing to make the Loan available to the Borrower
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

                                   AGREEMENTS
                                   ----------

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Loan described below and the
mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally
bound hereby, the Lender and the Borrower agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS
                                   -----------

         Section 1.1       Certain Defined Terms.
                           ----------------------

         As used in this Agreement, the terms defined in the Preamble and
Recitals hereto shall have the respective meanings specified therein, and the
following terms shall have the following meanings:

         "Advance" means an advance of the Loan proceeds pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement.

         "Bank" means Virginia Commerce Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Borrower.

         "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day
on which commercial banks in the State are authorized or required to close.

         "Call Report" means the quarterly report of condition and income
required to be filed by Bank within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter
with its primary federal regulatory authority.

         "Collateral" has the meaning described in Section 3.1.

         "Default" means an event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of
time, or both, could or would constitute an Event of Default under the
provisions of this Agreement.

         "Enforcement Costs" means all expenses, charges, costs and fees
whatsoever (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and
expenses) of any nature whatsoever paid or incurred by or on behalf of the
Lender in connection with (a) any or all of the Obligations, this Agreement
and/or any of the other Loan Documents, and (b) the creation, perfection,
collection, maintenance, preservation, defense, protection, realization upon,
disposition, sale or enforcement of all or any part of the Collateral, this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

         "Event of Default" has the meaning described in ARTICLE VII.

         "GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles, as
in effect from time to time, consistently applied.

<PAGE>

         "Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any state or
other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government and any department, agency or instrumentality thereof.

         "Laws" means the collective reference to each and all laws, ordinances,
statutes, rules, regulations, orders, injunctions, rule of common law, judicial
interpretation, writs, or decrees of any Governmental Authority.

         "Lien" means any grant, pledge, security interest, assignment,
encumbrance, judgment, lien, claim or charge of any kind, whether perfected or
unperfected, including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and the filing of or
agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of
any jurisdiction.

         "Loan" means the loan proposed to be made by the Lender to the Borrower
pursuant to the terms hereof.

         "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Note, the Pledge and any and
all other documents, instruments or certificates executed and delivered by the
Borrower in connection with the Loan, all as the same may be amended, modified,
restated, substituted, extended and renewed at any time and from time to time.

         "Note" means the Promissory Note dated of even date herewith in the
original principal amount of $12,000,000 made by the Borrower to the order of
the Lender.

         "Obligations" means all present and future indebtedness, duties,
obligations, and liabilities, whether now existing or contemplated or hereafter
arising, of the Borrower to the Lender under, arising pursuant to, in connection
with and/or on account of the Loan or the provisions of this Agreement and/or
any of the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the principal
of, and interest on, late charges, fees, Enforcement Costs and expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees).

         "Person" means and includes an individual, a corporation, a
partnership, a limited liability company, a joint venture, a trust, an
unincorporated association, a government or political subdivision or agency
thereof or any other organization or entity.

         "Pledge Agreement" means the Pledge and Assignment Agreement dated of
even date herewith from the Borrower to the Lender, granting to the Lender a
lien on the Collateral.

         "State" means the State of Maryland.

         "Uniform Commercial Code" means, unless otherwise provided in this
Agreement, the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted by and in effect from time to
time in the State of Maryland or in any other jurisdiction, as applicable.

         Section 1.2       Accounting Terms and Other Definitional Provisions.
                           ---------------------------------------------------

         Unless otherwise defined herein, as used in this Agreement and in any
certificate, report or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto,
accounting terms not otherwise defined herein, and accounting terms only partly
defined herein, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings
given to them under GAAP. Unless otherwise defined herein, all terms used herein
which are defined by the Uniform Commercial Code shall have the same meanings as
assigned to them by the Uniform Commercial Code unless and to the extent varied
by this Agreement. The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and article,
section, subsection, schedule and exhibit references are references to articles,
sections or subsections of, or schedules or exhibits to, as the case may be,
this Agreement unless otherwise specified. As used herein, the singular number
shall include the plural, the plural the singular and the use of the masculine,
feminine or neuter gender shall include all genders, as the context may require.
Reference to any one or more of the Loan Documents shall mean the same as the
foregoing may from time to time be amended, restated, substituted, extended,
renewed, supplemented or otherwise modified.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II
                                    THE LOAN
                                    --------

         Section 2.1       Loan Amount.
                           -----------

         Subject to the provisions of Sections 2.3 and 2.4 hereof, the Lender
hereby agrees to lend to the Borrower sums in the aggregate not to exceed the
principal amount of $12,000,000.

         Section 2.2       Note.
                           ----

         The Borrower's obligation to repay the Loan is evidenced by the Note.

         Section 2.3       Advances.
                           --------

         The principal amount of the Loan shall be advanced from time to time
upon request from the Borrower, given not less than two (2) Business Days prior
to the date that an Advance is to be funded. The Borrower's request may be made
orally, but shall be confirmed in writing (which may be sent by facsimile)
within twenty-four (24) hours of the making of the request. The Lender's
obligation to make Advances shall terminate or, at Lender's option, be suspended
following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of
Default. The Lender shall not be obligated to make more than eight (8) Advances
during the term of the Loan; each advance shall be in an amount not less than
Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000). The Loan is revolving; Advances made
and repaid, in whole or in part, may be reborrowed subject to the provisions of
the preceding sentence and to the understanding that the principal amount of all
outstanding Advances shall not at any time exceed $12,000,000 in the aggregate.

         Section 2.4       Restrictions on Advances.
                           -------------------------

         Unless and until the Lender shall execute with another lender a
Participation Agreement acceptable to Lender pursuant to which such other lender
shall purchase an interest in the Loan equal to thirty-three and one-third
percent (33-1/3%) of the principal balance from time to time outstanding
(maximum $4,000,000) and such lender shall have consummated its initial purchase
of an interest in the Loan, the Borrower may not request, and the Lender shall
not be obligated to make, Advances in excess of Ten Million Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($10,500,000) in the aggregate at any time outstanding. If the
Lender is unable to find a Participant as above set forth, the Borrower shall
partially prepay the Note as provided in Section 6 thereof, following which the
Borrower may not request, and the Lender shall not be obligated to make,
Advances in excess of Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) in the aggregate at any
time outstanding.

         Section 2.5       Use of Loan Proceeds.
                           ---------------------

         The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loans solely to repay
current indebtedness of the Borrower owed to Branch Banking and Trust Company
(the "BB&T Loan") and to make capital advances to the Bank.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                    SECURITY
                                    --------

         Section 3.1       Collateral.
                           -----------

         As security for the payment and performance of the Obligations, the
Borrower has executed and delivered to the Lender the Pledge Agreement, granting
to the Lender a Lien on the collateral (the "Collateral") therein described.

<PAGE>

         Section 3.2       Costs.
                           ------

         The Borrower agrees to pay, as part of the Enforcement Costs and to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws, on demand all costs, fees and
expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with the perfection, preservation,
protection and/or release of a Lien on the Collateral.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                         ------------------------------

         The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lender, and shall be deemed
to represent and warrant to the Lender at the time each request for an Advance
under the Loan is submitted and again at the time any Advance is made under the
Loan, as follows:

         Section 4.1       Good Standing.
                           --------------

         The Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the Laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and has the power
and authority to own its property and to carry on its business in each
jurisdiction in which the Borrower does business.

         Section 4.2       Authority and Compliance.
                           -------------------------

         The Borrower has full power and authority to execute and deliver the
Loan Documents and to incur and perform the obligations provided for therein,
all of which have been duly authorized by all proper and necessary action of the
appropriate governing body of the Borrower. No consent or approval of any
governmental authority or other third party is required as a condition to the
validity of any Loan Document. To Borrower's knowledge, the Borrower is in
compliance with all Laws to which it is subject, except for such failures of
compliance, if any, which do not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
material adverse effect on the financial condition of Borrower.

         Section 4.3       Binding Agreement.
                           ------------------

         This Agreement and the other Loan Documents executed by the Borrower
constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable
against the Borrower in accordance with their terms.

         Section 4.4       No Conflicting Agreements.
                           --------------------------

         Except for the BB&T Loan and related Lien, there is no charter, bylaw,
stock provision or other document pertaining to the organization, power or
authority of the Borrower, no provision of any existing agreement, mortgage,
indenture or contract binding on the Borrower or affecting its property, and no
Laws which would conflict with or in any way prevent the execution, delivery or
carrying out of the terms of this Agreement and/or any of the other Loan
Documents.

         Section 4.5       No Defaults.
                           ------------

         The Borrower is in compliance with its covenants and agreements
contained in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents. No Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing.

         Section 4.6       Financial Statements and Other Information.
                           -------------------------------------------

         The financial statements of the Borrower heretofore delivered to the
Lender have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis
throughout the period involved and fairly present the Borrower's financial
condition as of the date or dates thereof (subject, in the case of unaudited
interim statements, to the absence of notes and to normal year-end audit
adjustments that are not material in amount or effect) and there has been no
material adverse change in the Borrower's financial condition or operations
since the end date of the last financial statements delivered by the Borrower to
the Lender. To the best of the Borrower's knowledge, all factual information
furnished by the Borrower to the Lender in connection with this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents is and will be accurate and complete on the date as of
which such information is delivered to the Lender and is not and will not be
incomplete by the omission of any material fact necessary to make such
information not misleading.

<PAGE>

         Section 4.7       Information.
                           ------------

         The information contained in EXHIBIT A and EXHIBIT B, which are
attached to and made a part of this Agreement, is complete and correct.

         Section 4.8       Ownership of Collateral.
                           ------------------------

         The Borrower has good title to the Collateral, free and clear of Liens
except those granted to the Lender, and except for the Lien related to the BB&T
Loan, which shall be released concurrently with the first funding hereunder.

         Section 4.9       Litigation.
                           -----------

         There is no proceeding involving the Borrower pending or, to the
knowledge of the Borrower, threatened before any court or governmental
authority, agency, instrumentality or arbitration authority, except any
described on EXHIBIT B attached to and made a part of this Agreement.

         Section 4.10      Taxes.
                           -----

         The Borrower has filed all tax returns which it is required to file (or
requests for extensions have been timely filed and any such extensions either
are pending or have been granted and have not expired).

                                    ARTICLE V
                              CONDITIONS OF LENDING
                              ---------------------

         In addition to the conditions stated elsewhere in this Agreement, the
Lender shall not be obligated to consider or to make any Advance under this
Agreement unless on the date of the Advance is requested and on the date the
Advance is to be made:

         Section 5.1       Representations and Warranties.
                           -------------------------------

         The representations and warranties contained in ARTICLE IV are true and
correct as though made on and as of such date. In respect of any reaffirmation
of any representation and warranty referring to the contents of Exhibit A and/or
Exhibit B, this condition and such representation and warranty shall be deemed
to refer to the contents of Exhibit A and/or Exhibit B as it may be updated in
connection with such reaffirmation.

         Section 5.2       Compliance.
                           -----------

         The Borrower is in compliance with all of the covenants and agreements
contained in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents.

         Section 5.3       Default.
                           --------

         No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

         Section 5.4       No Adverse Change.
                           ------------------

         There shall have been no material adverse change, as reasonably
determined by the Lender, in the financial condition of the Borrower.

         Each request for an Advance shall be deemed a representation by the
Borrower that the conditions of this Article have been met.

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                   COVENANTS
                                   ---------

         Until full payment and performance of all Obligations, the Borrower
and/or the Bank, as applicable, covenants and agrees as follows:

         Section 6.1       Affirmative Covenants.
                           ----------------------

                  6.1.1    Financial Statements and Other Information.
                           -------------------------------------------

                  The Borrower will furnish to the Lender the following
financial information in form satisfactory to the Lender:

                  (a) As soon as available, but in no event more than one
hundred twenty (120) days after the close of each of the Borrower's fiscal
years, a copy of the consolidated financial statements for the year in question,
audited by an independent certified public accountant and prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied;

                  (b) As soon as available, but in no event more than forty-five
(45) days after the end of each calendar quarter, consolidated financial
statements of the Borrower as of the close of such period as filed in connection
with the Borrower's Form 10-Q(SB), reviewed in accordance with the requirements
for Form 10-Q(SB) by an independent certified public accountant and certified as
to accuracy by an authorized officer of the Borrower and the Bank, respectively;

                  (c) The Borrower and the Bank shall provide a covenant
compliance certificate, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C,
no later than forty-five days after the end of each calendar quarter; and

                  (d) Within five (5) business days after receipt, a copy of
each notice regarding capital adequacy received from a regulatory authority
having jurisdiction over the Borrower and/or the Bank, provided, however, that
Borrower and the Bank shall not be required to provide Lender with a copy of any
examination report or other correspondence which applicable Law prohibits the
Borrower or Bank from disclosing, in which case, the Borrower or Bank, as the
case may be, shall provide Lender with a written certification of the capital
category reflected in such notice of capital adequacy.

                  (e) Within five (5) Business Days after filing, a copy the
Bank's Call Report.

                  6.1.2    Accounting; Books and Records.
                           ------------------------------

                  The Borrower will maintain a system of accounting reasonably
satisfactory to the Lender and in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent
basis throughout the period involved and permit the Lender's officers or
authorized representatives to visit and inspect upon reasonable notice the
Borrower's books of account and other records at such reasonable times and as
often as the Lender may desire, provided that such inspections shall not unduly
disrupt or interfere with normal business operations. Unless written notice of
another location is given to the Lender, the Borrower's books and records will
be located at the Borrower's chief executive office described on EXHIBIT A.

                  6.1.3    Existence and Compliance.
                           -------------------------

                  Each of the Borrower and the Bank will maintain its existence,
good standing and qualification to do business wherever required, and will
comply with all Laws applicable to it or to any of its property, business
operations and transactions, except where such failure will not have an adverse
material effect on the Borrower or the Bank, taken as a whole.

<PAGE>

                  6.1.4    Insurance.
                           ----------

                  The Borrower will maintain insurance with responsible
insurance companies on such of its properties, in such amounts and against such
risks as is customarily maintained by similar businesses operating in the same
vicinity.

                  6.1.5    Taxes and Other Obligations.
                           ----------------------------

                  The Borrower will pay when due all of its taxes, other
governmental assessments, indebtedness for borrowed money, leases, and other
obligations as the same become due and payable, except, with respect to taxes
and governmental assessments, to the extent the same are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings in a diligent manner, no Lien has been imposed
with respect thereto, and the Lender is satisfied that the Borrower at all times
has the financial ability to pay the disputed taxes and governmental
assessments, with all interest and penalties, without materially and adversely
affecting the Borrower's financial condition.

                  6.1.6    Regulatory Classification.
                           --------------------------

                           (a) The Bank will maintain leverage and risk-based
regulatory capital at levels sufficient to be categorized as "adequately
capitalized" within the meaning of Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act (the "FDIA") and the regulations adopted by the appropriate Governmental
Authority. The Bank and/or the Borrower shall advise the Lender within ten (10)
calendar days after receipt of notice that the Bank's capital category is lower
than adequately capitalized.

                           (b) The Bank will maintain leverage and risk-based
regulatory capital at levels sufficient to be categorized as "well capitalized"
within the meaning of Section 38 of the FDIA and the regulations adopted by the
appropriate Governmental Authority as of each calendar quarter end. The Borrower
will provide a quarterly covenant compliance certificate within forty-five (45)
days of quarter end.

                  In the event of a default of this covenant, the Bank will have
a ninety (90) day cure period from the end of the calendar quarter in which to
achieve a well capitalized rating. The covenant compliance certificate for the
calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which a default has occurred
must indicate a well capitalized rating as reported by the Borrower in the
quarterly covenant compliance certificate.

         Section 6.2       Negative Covenants.
                           -------------------

                  Until full payment and performance of all Obligations, the
Borrower and/or the Bank, as applicable, covenants and agrees as follows:

                  6.2.1    Indebtedness.
                           -------------

                  The Borrower shall not incur or become liable for any
indebtedness other than the Loan. The Bank may use Fed funds Lines, general
deposits, and repo liabilities in the ordinary course of business. The Bank may
obtain advances under its Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") line not to exceed $10
million dollars under the condition that the advance(s) will not result in a
default of any covenant herein on a proforma basis and under the condition that
at the time of the advance the Bank must be in compliance with all of its
financial covenants. The Bank will provide analyses demonstrating the impact of
the FHLB loans on a proforma basis.

                  6.2.2    Character of Business.
                           ----------------------

                  Neither the Borrower nor the Bank will change the general
character of business as conducted at the date hereof, or engage in any type of
business not reasonably related to its business as presently conducted.

                  6.2.3    Loans Outstanding from Bank.
                           ----------------------------

                  (a) Loans outstanding from the Bank which are past due for a
period of ninety (90) days or

<PAGE>

more, including loans placed on a non-accrual basis, shall not exceed one and
one-half percent (1-1/2%) of the Bank's total loans outstanding for two (2)
consecutive quarters. This covenant shall be measured on a calendar quarter
basis with a requirement that the Borrower provide a quarterly covenant
compliance certificate within forty-five (45) days of quarter end. The covenant
compliance certificate will be verified and must reconcile with the information
on the Call Reports.

                  (b) Loans outstanding from the Bank which are past due for a
period of ninety (90) days or more, including loans placed on a non-accrual
basis, shall not exceed two and one-half percent (2-1/2%) of the Bank's total
loans outstanding in any one quarter. This covenant shall be measured on a
calendar quarter basis with a requirement that Borrower provide a quarterly
covenant compliance certificate within forty-five (45) days of quarter end. The
covenant compliance certificate will be verified and must reconcile with the
information on the Call Reports. If the foregoing covenant is breached, the
Borrower shall provide the Lender with a plan acceptable to the Lender to cure
the default within forty-five (45) days of quarter end, together with the
covenant compliance certificate. If the plan is not acceptable to the Lender,
the Borrower shall have forty-five (45) additional days to repay the Loan.

                  (c) Loans outstanding from the Bank which are past due for a
period of ninety (90) days or more, including loans placed on a non-accrual
basis, shall not exceed four and one half (4.5%) of the Bank's total loans
outstanding at anytime. The Bank and/or the Borrower shall advise the Lender
within ten (10) calendar days if loans outstanding from the Bank which are past
due for a period of ninety (90) days or more, including loans placed on a
non-accrual basis, exceed four and one half (4.5%) of the Bank's total loans
outstanding.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                     DEFAULT
                                     -------

         Section 7.1       Events of  Default.
                           -------------------

         The Borrower shall be in default under this Agreement and under each of
the other Loan Documents upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following
(each, an "Event of Default" and collectively, the "Events of Default"):

         (a) There occurs any failure to pay within ten (10) days after the date
when due any amounts owing under the Loan or the Obligations;

         (b) Any representation or warranty made in this Agreement or in
connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall prove to
have been false or misleading in any material respect when made (or, if
applicable, when reaffirmed);

         (c) The Borrower or the Bank, as appropriate, fails to timely and
properly observe, keep or perform, any term, covenant, agreement or condition in
this Agreement, other than those relating to the payment of amounts owing under
the Loan or the Obligations; expressly subject, however, to the grace periods in
Sections 6.1.6(b) and 6.2.3(a) hereof;

         (d) An Event of Default shall have occurred and remain uncured under
any other Loan Document;

         (e) The Borrower or the Bank (i) applies for, or consents in writing
to, the appointment of a receiver, trustee or liquidator, or (ii) files a
voluntary petition in bankruptcy or admits in writing its inability to pay its
debts as they become due, or (iii) makes a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors, or (iv) files a petition or an answer seeking a reorganization (other
than a reorganization not involving the liabilities of the Borrower or the Bank)
or an arrangement with creditors or takes advantage of any bankruptcy or
insolvency law, or (v) files an answer admitting the material allegations of a
petition filed against the Borrower or the Bank in any bankruptcy,
reorganization or insolvency proceeding;

         (f) An order, judgment or decree is entered by any court of competent
jurisdiction on the application of a creditor adjudicating the Borrower or the
Bank and such order, judgment or decree continues unstayed and in effect for a
period of sixty (60) days from the date entered;

<PAGE>

         (g) The Borrower defaults in the payment of any indebtedness other than
the Loan, and such default remains uncured beyond any applicable cure period; or

         (h) Unless the written consent of the Lender is previously obtained,
the sale of all or substantially all of the business assets of the Borrower or
the Bank, or the commencement of any proceeding to dissolve or liquidate the
Borrower or the Bank, or the occurrence of any change in the form of business
entity through which the Borrower or the Bank presently conducts its business.

         Section 7.2       Rights And Remedies.
                           --------------------

         Upon the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, the Lender may
at any time thereafter exercise any one or more of the following rights, powers
or remedies:

                  7.2.1    Acceleration.
                           -------------

                  The Lender may declare the Obligations to be immediately due
and payable, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement or in any of
the other Loan Documents to the contrary, without presentment, demand, protest,
notice of protest or of dishonor, or other notice of any kind, all of which the
Borrower hereby waives.

                  7.2.2    Further Advances.
                           -----------------

                  The Lender may without notice to the Borrower suspend,
terminate or limit any further Advances under this Agreement.

                  7.2.3    Other Remedies.
                           ---------------

                  The Lender may from time to time proceed to protect or enforce
its rights by an action or actions at law or in equity or by any other
appropriate proceeding, in aid of the exercise or execution of any right, remedy
or power granted in this Agreement, the Loan Documents, and/or under applicable
Laws. The Lender is authorized to offset and apply to all or any part of the
Obligations all moneys, credits and other property of any nature whatsoever of
the Borrower now or at any time hereafter in the possession of, in transit to or
from, under the control or custody of, or on deposit with, the Lender.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS
                                  -------------

         Section 8.1       Notices.
                           --------

         All notices, requests or demands which any party is required or may
desire to give to any other party under any provision of this Agreement must be
in writing, hand delivered, sent by nationally recognized overnight courier or
mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed
to the Borrower at the mailing address of the Borrower (which is also the
mailing address of the Bank) set forth on EXHIBIT A which is attached to and a
part of this Agreement and to the Lender at the following address:

                  Lender:  Provident Bank
                           114 East Lexington Street
                           Baltimore, Maryland 21202
                           Attn:   Samuel B. Bayne, Jr.
                                   Vice President

or to such other address as any party may designate by written notice to the
other party. Except as expressly provided in

<PAGE>

Section 2.3 hereof, each such notice, request and demand shall be deemed given
or made as follows: (a) if sent by hand delivery, upon delivery; (b) if sent by
nationally recognized overnight courier service, on the Business Day next
following the day on which the notice is delivered to such courier; or (c) if
sent by mail, upon the earlier of the date of receipt or three (3) Business Days
after deposit in the U.S. Mail.

         Section 8.2       Cumulative Rights and No Waiver.
                           --------------------------------

         Each and every right granted to the Lender under any Loan Document, or
allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative of each other and may be
exercised in addition to any and all other rights of the Lender, and no delay in
exercising any right shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise by the Lender of any right preclude any other or future
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The Borrower expressly
waives any presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, including
but not limited to notice of intent to accelerate and notice of acceleration. No
notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to
any other or future notice or demand in similar or other circumstances unless
expressly required in this Agreement.

         Section 8.3       Costs, Expenses and Attorney's Fees.
                           ------------------------------------

         The Borrower shall pay to the Lender ON DEMAND the full amount of all
expenses, charges, costs, taxes, and fees including, without limitation,
reasonable counsel fees to the extent permitted by applicable Laws, whether
incurred prior to the institution of any suit or other proceeding or otherwise
incurred by or on behalf of the Lender in connection with (a) negotiation and
preparation of this Agreement and each of the Loan Documents, (b) the Lender's
continued administration thereof, and (c) the perfection, collection,
maintenance, preservation, inspection, insuring, defense, protection,
realization upon, disposition, sale or enforcement of all or any part of the
Collateral or the enforcement or collection of the Obligations.

         Section 8.4       Applicable Law.
                           ---------------

         This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder
shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of
Maryland and any applicable United States federal law.

         Section 8.5       Amendment; Other Provisions.
                           ----------------------------

          No modification, consent, amendment or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement, nor consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall be
effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by an officer of the
Lender, and then shall be effective only in the specified instance and for the
purpose for which given. This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the Borrower and the Lender and, to the extent applicable thereto,
the Bank, and their respective successors and assigns; however, no assignment or
other transfer of the Borrower's rights or obligations hereunder shall be made
or be effective without the Lender's prior written consent, nor shall it relieve
the Borrower of any obligations hereunder. There is no third party beneficiary
of this Agreement. The headings in this Agreement are included herein for
convenience only, shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other
purpose, and shall not be deemed to affect the meaning or construction of any of
the provisions hereof.

         Section 8.6       Documents.
                           ----------

         All documents, certificates and other items required under this
Agreement to be executed and/or delivered to the Lender shall be in form and
content satisfactory to the Lender and its counsel.

         Section 8.7       Partial Invalidity.
                           -------------------

         The unenforceability or invalidity of any provision of this Agreement
shall not affect the enforceability or validity of any other provision herein
and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of any Loan Document to
any Person or circumstance shall not affect the enforceability or validity of
such provision as it may apply to other Persons or circumstances.

<PAGE>

         Section 8.8       Survivability.
                           --------------

         All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made herein
or in the other Loan Documents shall continue in full force and effect until the
Obligations are paid in full.

         Section 8.9       Entire Agreement.
                           -----------------

         This Agreement is intended by the Lender and the Borrower to be a
complete, exclusive and final expression of the agreements contained herein.
Neither the Lender nor the Borrower shall hereafter have any rights under any
prior agreements pertaining to the matters addressed by this Agreement but shall
look solely to this Agreement for definition and determination of all of their
respective rights, liabilities and responsibilities under this Agreement.

         Section 8.10      Headings.
                           ---------

         The headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience
only, shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose, and
shall not be deemed to affect the meaning or construction of any of the
provisions hereof.

         Section 8.11      NO ORAL AGREEMENT.
                           ------------------

         THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR,
CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO
UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

         Section 8.12      WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY.
                           ------------------------

         THE BORROWER AND THE LENDER HEREBY JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY
JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO WHICH THE BORROWER AND THE LENDER MAY BE
PARTIES, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY PERTAINING TO (A) THIS AGREEMENT, (B) ANY
OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR (C) THE COLLATERAL. THIS WAIVER CONSTITUTES A WAIVER
OF TRIAL BY JURY OF ALL CLAIMS AGAINST ALL PARTIES TO SUCH ACTIONS OR
PROCEEDINGS, INCLUDING CLAIMS AGAINST PARTIES WHO ARE NOT PARTIES TO THIS
AGREEMENT.

         This waiver is knowingly, willingly and voluntarily made by the
Borrower and the Lender, and the Borrower and the Lender hereby represent that
no representations of fact or opinion have been made by any individual to induce
this waiver of trial by jury or to in any way modify or nullify its effect. The
Borrower and the Lender further represent that they have been represented in the
signing of this Agreement and in the making of this waiver by independent legal
counsel, selected of their own free will, and that they have had the opportunity
to discuss this waiver with counsel.

         Section 8.13      Confidentiality.
                           ----------------

         Lender acknowledges and agrees that (i) the information provided to
Lender hereunder is proprietary and confidential; (ii) it shall it shall hold
all information provided to the Lender, in any form whatsoever, in the utmost
confidence, in accordance with the provisions of any applicable Laws, and (iii)
shall not use, nor knowingly permit others to use, any such information for any
purpose other than to administer the Loan and monitor the compliance of Borrower
with the provisions of the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing in this Section 8.13 shall preclude Lender from providing information
provided to Lender hereunder to any financial institution participating a
portion of the Loan, provided that such financial institution agrees in writing
to be bound by the provisions of this Section 8.13.

<PAGE>

Section 8.14      Time of Performance.
                  --------------------

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event that the
day by which performance is due is not a Business Day, then the performance
shall be deemed to be timely if accomplished not later than the close of
business on the first Business Day following the day on which performance was
due.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed and sealed this
Agreement on the day and year first above written.

WITNESS OR ATTEST:                    VIRGINIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.

---------------------------           By:                                 (Seal)
                                         ---------------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

WITNESS OR ATTEST:                    PROVIDENT BANK

---------------------------           By:                                 (Seal)
                                         ---------------------------------
                                         Name:   Samuel B. Bayne, Jr.
                                         Title:  Vice President

For the limited purposes herein set forth:

WITNESS OR ATTEST:                    VIRGINIA COMMERCE BANK

---------------------------           By:                                 (Seal)
                                         ---------------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

<PAGE>

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE
                                 ---------------

$12,000,000                                        Arlington, Virginia
                                                              December ___, 2001

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, VIRGINIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC., a Virginia
corporation (the "Borrower"), promises to pay to the order of PROVIDENT BANK, a
Maryland banking corporation, its successors and assigns (the "Lender"), the
principal sum of TWELVE MILLION DOLLARS ($12,000,000), or so much thereof as
shall have been advanced and remain outstanding from time to time (the
"Principal Sum"), together with interest thereon at the rate or rates
hereinafter provided, in accordance with the following:

         1. Interest. (a) With respect to each advance (an "Advance") of the
Principal Sum under the Loan Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and, again at
the end of each Interest Period with respect to such Advance until such Advance
is repaid in full, such Advance shall bear interest at a fixed rate equal to the
Libor Rate (as hereinafter defined) plus two hundred (200) basis points per
annum for a period of ninety (90) days (each, an "Interest Period"), but not to
exceed the maturity date of this Note; provided, however, that in no event shall
the interest rate payable with respect to any Interest Period be less than (4.85
%) per annum. As used herein, the term "Libor Rate" means the weighted average
(rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent) of
the USD London Interbank Offered Rates for the designated Interest Period,
determined as of 11:00 a.m. London Time on the second (2nd) Eurodollar Business
Day next preceding the first day of each Interest Period, as reported by
Bloomberg Business News or any other source selected by Lender as Lender and
Borrower shall mutually agree upon, as such rate is adjusted in accordance with
the Lender's standard practices for reserves and other requirements. The term
"Eurodollar Business Day" shall mean a Business Day on which banks in the City
of London are generally open for interbank or foreign exchange transactions. The
term "Business Day" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day
on which banks are required or permitted to be closed in the State of Maryland.

            (b) All interest payable under the terms of this Note shall be
calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.

         2. Payments and Maturity. The unpaid Principal Sum, together with
interest thereon at a rate or rates calculated as provided above, shall be
payable as follows:

            (a) Interest only, payable quarterly, on the last day of each March,
June, September and December hereafter, until the Principal Sum is paid in full;
and

            (b) Unless sooner paid, the unpaid Principal Sum, together with
interest accrued and unpaid thereon, shall be due and payable in full on
December ___, 2004.

         3. Default Interest. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as
hereinafter defined), each Advance then outstanding shall bear interest
thereafter until such Event of Default is cured at a rate which is at all times
equal to two hundred (200) basis points per annum in excess of the interest rate
otherwise applicable to such Advance, determined as provided in Section 1(a)
hereof.

         4. Late Charges. In the event that any payment due under the terms of
this Note is not received by the Lender within fifteen (15) days of the date
such payment is due (inclusive of the date when due), the Borrower shall pay to
the Lender on demand a late charge equal to five percent (5%) of such payment.

         5. Application and Place of Payments. All payments made on account of
this Note, excluding prepayments, shall be applied first to the payment of any
late charge then due hereunder, second to the payment of accrued and unpaid
interest then due hereunder, and the remainder, if any, shall be applied to the
unpaid Principal Sum. All payments on account of this Note shall be paid in
lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available funds
during regular business hours of the Lender at its principal office at 114 East
Lexington Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, or at such other times and places
as the Lender may at any time and from time to time designate in writing to the
Borrower.

<PAGE>

         6. Prepayment. (a) Voluntary. The Borrower may prepay the Principal
Sum, or any Advance, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time,
subject to payment with respect to any Advance whose Interest Period has not
matured of a prepayment premium in an amount equal to the Lender's reasonable
estimate of loss, if any, which would result from the reinvestment of the
prepaid Principal Sum in United States Treasury Securities for the remaining
term of the Interest Period applicable to such Advance. In the absence of
manifest error, the prepayment premium determined by Lender shall be deemed to
be presumptively correct. In the event that the Borrower is acquired, the
prepayment premium will be waived.

            (b) Mandatory. If the Lender shall not have executed on or before
April 30, 2002 a Participation Agreement pursuant to the terms of Section 2.4 of
the Loan Agreement (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to which the participating
lender has purchased its initial interest in the loan evidenced hereby, the
Borrower shall prepay the Loan on or before June 30, 2002 by an amount necessary
to reduce the principal balance to Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000). Any such
prepayment shall not be subject to a prepayment premium.

            (c) General. All prepayments shall be applied first to the payment
of any prepayment premium determined by the Lender to be payable and thereafter
to the Advance or Advances designated by the Borrower

         7. Security; Other Loan Documents. This Note is secured as provided in
a Pledge and Assignment Agreement dated of even date herewith (the "Pledge
Agreement") by the Borrower in favor of the Lender. The Principal Sum shall be
advanced pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Loan Agreement also dated of
even date herewith (the "Loan Agreement") between the Lender and the Borrower.
The term "Loan Documents" as used in this Note shall mean collectively this
Note, the Guaranty, the Pledge Agreement, the Loan Agreement and any other
instrument, agreement, or document previously, simultaneously, or hereafter
executed and delivered by the Borrower evidencing, securing, or given in
connection with this Note or the Principal Sum evidenced hereby.

         8. Events of Default. The occurrence of any one or more of the
following events shall constitute an event of default (individually, an "Event
of Default" and collectively, the "Events of Default") under the terms of this
Note:

            (a) The failure of the Borrower to pay to the Lender within ten (10)
days after the date when due any and all amounts payable by the Borrower to the
Lender under the terms of this Note; or

            (b) The occurrence of an event of default under the terms and
conditions of any of the other Loan Documents, which event of default remains
uncured beyond any applicable grace and/or cure period provided therefor.

         9. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, at the option
of the Lender, all amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lender under the terms
of this Note shall immediately become due and payable by the Borrower to the
Lender without further notice to the Borrower or any other person, and the
Lender shall have all of the rights, powers, and remedies available under the
terms of this Note, any of the other Loan Documents and all applicable laws. The
Borrower and any endorsers, guarantors, or other parties who may now or in the
future be primarily or secondarily liable for the payment of the indebtedness
evidenced by this Note hereby severally waive presentment, protest and demand,
notice of protest, notice of demand and of dishonor and non-payment of this Note
and expressly agree that this Note or any payment hereunder may be extended from
time to time without in any way affecting the liability of the Borrower, or any
such guarantors and endorsers.

         10. Confessed Judgment. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the
Borrower hereby authorizes any attorney designated by the Lender or any clerk of
any court of record to appear for the Borrower in any court of record and to
confess judgment without prior hearing against the Borrower in favor of the
Lender for and in the amount of the unpaid Principal Sum, all interest accrued
and unpaid thereon, all other amounts payable by the

<PAGE>

Borrower to the Lender under the terms of this Note or any of the other Loan
Documents, costs of suit, and attorneys' fees of five percent (5%) of the unpaid
Principal Sum and interest then due hereunder. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Section 10, the Lender acknowledges that attorneys' fees are
stated to be five percent (5%) solely for purposes of fixing a sum certain for
which judgment can be entered by confession; the Lender agrees that in enforcing
any judgment by confession, Lender shall not demand, solely with respect to
attorneys' fees incurred by the Lender in connection with such indebtedness
after such judgment is rendered, any amounts in excess of the actual aggregate
amount of attorneys' fees charged or billed to the Lender. The Borrower hereby
releases, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all errors and all rights
of exemption, appeal, stay of execution, inquisition, and other rights to which
the Borrower may otherwise be entitled under the laws of the United States of
America or of any state or possession of the United States of America now in
force or which may hereafter be enacted. The authority and power to appear for
and enter judgment against the Borrower shall not be exhausted by one or more
exercises thereof or by any imperfect exercise thereof and shall not be
extinguished by any judgment entered pursuant thereto. Such authority may be
exercised on one or more occasions or from time to time in the same or different
jurisdictions as often as the Lender shall deem necessary or desirable, for all
of which this Note shall be a sufficient warrant.

         11. Consent to Jurisdiction. The Borrower irrevocably submits to the
jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in the State of Maryland over
any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Note. The
Borrower irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any
objection that the Borrower may now or hereafter have to the laying the venue of
any such suit, action, or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim
that any such suit, action, or proceeding brought in any such court has been
brought in an inconvenient forum. Final judgment in any such suit, action, or
proceeding brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the
Borrower and may be enforced in any court in which the Borrower is subject to
jurisdiction by a suit upon such judgment provided that service of process is
effected upon the Borrower as provided in this Note or as otherwise permitted by
applicable law.

         12. WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. The Borrower and the Lender hereby waive
trial by jury in any action or proceeding to which the Borrower and the Lender
may be parties, arising out of or in any way pertaining to (a) this Note and (b)
the other Loan Documents. It is agreed and understood that this waiver
constitutes a waiver of trial by jury of all claims against all parties to such
actions or proceedings, including claims against parties who are not parties to
this Note. This waiver is knowingly, willingly and voluntarily made by the
Borrower, and the Borrower hereby represents that no representations of fact or
opinion have been made by any individual to induce this waiver of trial by jury
or to in any way modify or nullify its effect. The Borrower further represents
that it has been represented in the signing of this Note and in the making of
this waiver by independent legal counsel, selected of its own free will, and
that it has had the opportunity to discuss this waiver with counsel.

         13. Expenses. The Borrower promises to pay to the Lender on demand by
the Lender all costs and expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with
the collection and enforcement of this Note, including, without limitation, all
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses and all court costs.

         14. Notices. Any notice, request, or demand to or upon the Borrower or
the Lender shall be deemed to have been properly given or made when delivered in
accordance with the provisions of the Loan Agreement.

         15. Miscellaneous. Each right, power, and remedy of the Lender as
provided for in this Note or any of the other Loan Documents, or now or
hereafter existing under any applicable law or otherwise shall be cumulative and
concurrent and shall be in addition to every other right, power, or remedy
provided for in this Note or any of the other Loan Documents or now or hereafter
existing under any applicable law, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise
by the Lender of any one or more of such rights, powers, or remedies shall not
preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by the Lender of any or all such
other rights, powers, or remedies. No failure or delay by the Lender to insist
upon the strict performance of any term, condition, covenant, or agreement of
this Note or any of the other Loan Documents, or to exercise any right, power,
or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof, shall constitute a waiver of any
such term, condition, covenant, or agreement or of any such breach, or preclude
the Lender from exercising any such right, power, or remedy at a later time or
times. By accepting payment after the due date of any amount payable under the
terms of this Note, the Lender shall not be deemed to waive the right either to
require prompt payment when due of all other amounts payable under the terms of
this Note or to declare an Event of Default for the failure to effect such
prompt payment of any such other amount. No course of dealing or conduct shall
be effective to amend, modify, waive, release, or change any provisions of this
Note.

<PAGE>

         16. Partial Invalidity. In the event any provision of this Note (or any
part of any provision) is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality,
or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision (or remaining part of
the affected provision) of this Note; but this Note shall be construed as if
such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision (or part thereof) had not been
contained in this Note, but only to the extent it is invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable.

         17. Captions. The captions herein set forth are for convenience only
and shall not be deemed to define, limit, or describe the scope or intent of
this Note.

         18. Governing Law. The provisions of this Note shall be construed,
interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland as
the same may be in effect from time to time.

         19. Sale of Note. This Note and the other Loan Documents may be placed,
assigned, serviced and/or participated out by the Lender and/or its successors
and assigns. The Borrower hereby grants the Lender its consent to the disclosure
and dissemination of financial records in connection with any sale of this Note
or participating interest in this Note to the extent necessary to satisfy the
requirements of a purchaser or a participant.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Note to be executed
under seal by its duly authorized officer(s) as of the date first written above.

WITNESS OR ATTEST:                 VIRGINIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.

-------------------------          By:                           (SEAL)
                                      ----------------------------
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

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