Document:

CAROLINA FINANCIAL
CORPORATION

2002 STOCK OPTION
PLAN

		1.	PURPOSE

The purpose of the
Carolina Financial Corporation (the “Company”) 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) is to advance the interests
of the Company and its stockholders by providing Employees and Outside Directors of the Company and its Affiliates, including Community
FirstBank of Charleston (“Community FirstBank”) and Crescent Bank, upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the
successful conduct of the business of the Company and its Affiliates largely depends, with an additional incentive to perform in
a superior manner as well as to attract people of experience and ability.

		2.	DEFINITIONS

“Affiliate”
means any “parent corporation” or ‘‘subsidiary corporation” of the Company. Community FirstBank or
Crescent Bank, as such terms are defined in Section 424(e) or 424(f), respectively, of the Code.

“Award”
means an Award of Non-Statutory Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, and/or Limited Rights granted under the provisions of the
Plan.

“Beneficiary”
means the person or persons designated by a Participant to receive any benefits payable under the Plan in the event of such Participant’s
death. Such person or persons shall be designated in writing on forms provided for this purpose by the Committee and may be changed
from time to time by similar written notice to the Committee. In the absence of a written designation, the Beneficiary shall be
the Participant’s surviving spouse, if any, or if none, his estate.

“Board”
or “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or its Affiliate, as applicable.

“Change
in Control” means (1) an event of a nature that (i) results in a change in control of the Company, Community FirstBank
or Crescent Bank, within the meaning of the applicable federal and state statutes governing the acquisition of control of the Company,
Community FirstBank or Crescent Bank, and applicable regulations promulgated thereunder as in effect on the date hereof; or (ii)
would be required to be reported in response to Item 1 of the current report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), assuming such provisions apply
to the Company, Community FirstBank or Crescent Bank; (2) any person (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange
Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly of securities
of the Company, Community FirstBank or Crescent Bank, representing 25% or more of the Company’s, Community FirstBank’s
or Crescent Bank’s, outstanding securities; (3) individuals who are members of Incumbent Board cease for any reason to constitute
at least a majority thereof; or (4) a reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company, Community FirstBank or Crescent Bank, or a similar transaction in which the Company, Community FirstBank or Crescent
Bank, is not the resulting entity. The term “Change in Control” shall not include (1) an acquisition of securities
by an employee benefit plan of the Company, Community FirstBank or Crescent Bank, or (2) the acquisition of securities (i) of Community
FirstBank by the Company in connection with the initial stock offering of the Company or (ii) of Crescent Bank by the Company in
connection with the organization of Crescent Bank. In the application of the applicable statutes to a determination of a Change
in Control, determinations shall he made by the Board of Directors.

    	 

    	 

    

“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Committee”
means a Committee of the Board the members of whom shall be determined by the Board in their sole discretion, provided that prior
to any registration by the Company of any class of its securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be
modified to consist only of either (1) at least two Non-Employee Directors of the Company, or (ii) the entire Board of the Company.

“Common
Stock” means the Common Stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share.

“Date of
Grant” means the actual date on which an Award is granted by the Committee.

“Director”
means a member of the Board.

“Disability”
means the permanent and total inability by reason of mental or physical infirmity, or both, of an employee to perform the work
customarily assigned to him. Additionally, a medical doctor selected or approved by the Board must advise the Committee that it
is either not possible to determine when such Disability will terminate or that it appears probable that such Disability will be
permanent during the remainder of said employee’s lifetime.

“Effective
Date” means the date of, or a date determined by the Board of Directors following, approval of the Plan by the Company’s
stockholders.

“Employee”
means an employee of the Company or its Affiliates chosen by the Committee to participate in the Plan.

“Fair Market
Value” means, (i) if the Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market or a national securities exchange, the last
trade price of the Common Stock on the day prior to the date as to which Fair Market Value is being determined, or if the Common
Stock was not traded on such prior day, the last trade on the next preceding day on which the Common Stock was traded (the Committee
may rely on the Wall Street Journal in determining last trade prices and whether or not the Common Stock traded on a particular
day); (ii) if the Common Stock is not traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market or a national securities exchange, Fair Market Value means
the last trade price as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board, maintained by the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., within the 30-day period
ending on the day prior to the date as to which Fair Market Value is to be determined, provided that if the Committee is aware
of trades of Common Stock more recent that any last trade reported on the OTC Bulletin Board, the Committee, in its discretion
given the circumstances of the trade, may determine to use such trading price as the Fair Market Value; (iii) if the Common Stock
is not traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market or a national securities exchange and a trade was not reported on the OTC Bulletin Board
within the 30-day period ending on the day prior to the date as to which Fair Market Value is to be determined, and if there are
at least two broker-dealers quoting both a bid and asked price on the OTC Bulletin Board at the close of trading on the day prior
to the date as to which Fair Market Value is to be determined, then Fair Market Value shall be the average of all bid and asked
prices quoted by broker-dealers quoting both a bid and asked price on the OTC Bulletin Board at the close of trading on the day
prior to the date as to which Fair Market Value is to be determined. In the event Fair Market Value cannot be determined in the
manner described above, then Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee using a reasonable valuation method consistent
with the Code and Treasury Regulations. The Committee shall he authorized, in its discretion, to obtain an independent appraisal
to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock.

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“Incentive
Stock Option” means an Option granted by the Committee to a Participant, which Option is designated as an Incentive Stock
Option pursuant to Section 8.

“Incumbent
Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company on the date hereof, provided that any person becoming a Director subsequent
to the date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the Directors comprising the Incumbent Board,
or whose nomination for election by stockholders was approved by the same nominating committee serving under an Incumbent Board,
shall be a member of the Incumbent Board.

“Limited
Right” means the right to receive an amount of cash based upon the terms set forth in Section 9.

“Non-Employee
Director” means, for purposes of the Plan, a Director who (a) is not employed by the Company or an Affiliate; (b) does
not receive compensation directly or indirectly as a consultant (or in any other capacity than as a Director) greater than $60,000;
(c) does not have an interest in a transaction requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K; or (d) is not engaged
in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to item 404(b) of Regulation S-K.

“Non-Statutory
Stock Option” means an Option granted by the Committee to (i) an Outside Director or (ii) to any other Participant and
such Option is either (A) not designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option, or (B) fails to satisfy the requirements
of an Incentive Stock Option as set forth in Section 422 of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

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“Outside
Director” means a Director who is not an employee of the Company or its Affiliates.

“Option”
means an Award granted under Section 7 or Section 8.

“Participant”
means an Employee or Outside Director of the Company or its Affiliates chosen by the Committee to participate in the Plan.

“Termination
for Cause” means the termination of employment or termination of service on the Board caused by the individual’s
personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, any breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform
stated duties, or the willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses), or
a final cease-and-desist order, any of which results in material loss to the Company or one of its Affiliates.

		3.	ADMINISTRATION

The Plan shall be
administered by the Committee. The Committee is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to establish such rules and
regulations as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Plan and to make whatever determinations and interpretations
in connection with the Plan it deems necessary or advisable. All determinations and interpretations made by the Committee shall
be binding and conclusive on all Participants in the Plan and on their legal representatives and beneficiaries.

All transactions
involving a grant, award or other acquisition from the Company shall:

(a)          
be approved by the Company’s full Board or by the Committee:

(b)         
be approved, or ratified, in compliance with Section 14 of the Exchange Act, by either: the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the securities present, or represented and entitled to vote at a meeting duly held in accordance with the laws
of the state in which the Company is incorporated; or the written consent of the holders of a majority of the securities of the
issuer entitled to vote provided that such ratification occurs no later than the date of the next annual meeting of shareholders:
or

(c)          
result in the acquisition of an Option or Limited Right that is held by the Participant for a period of six months following
the date of such acquisition.

		4.	TYPES OF AWARDS

Awards under the
Plan may be granted in any one or a combination of: (a) Incentive Stock Options: (b) Non-Statutory Stock Options; and (c) Limited
Rights.

		5.	STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

Subject to adjustment
as provided in Section 14, the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan is 160,700 shares of Common Stock.
These shares of Common Stock may be either authorized but unissued shares or shares previously issued and reacquired by the Company.
To the extent that Options or rights granted under the Plan are exercised, the shares covered will he unavailable for future grants
under the Plan; to the extent that Options together with any related rights granted under the Plan terminate, expire or are canceled
without having been exercised or, in the case of Limited Rights exercised for cash, new Awards may be made with respect to these
shares.

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		6.	ELIGIBILITY

Employees of the
Company and its Affiliates, including Community FirstBank and Crescent Bank, shall be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options,
Non-Statutory Stock Options and/or Limited Rights under the Plan. Outside Directors shall he eligible to receive Non-Statutory
Stock Options under the Plan.

		7.	NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS

		7.1.	Grant of Non-Statutory Stock Options.

(a)          
Grants to Employees and Outside Directors. The Committee may, from time to time, grant Non-Statutory Stock Options
to eligible Employees and Outside Directors, and, upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine, grant Non-Statutory
Stock Options in exchange for and upon surrender of previously granted Awards under the Plan. Non-Statutory Stock Options granted
under the Plan, including Non-Statutory Stock Options granted in exchange for and upon surrender of previously granted Awards,
are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7.

(b)         
Option Agreement. Each Option shall he evidenced by a written option agreement between the Company and the Participant
specifying the number of shares of Common Stock that may be acquired through its exercise and containing such other terms and conditions
that are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

(c)          
Price. The purchase price per share of Common Stock deliverable upon the exercise of each Non-Statutory Stock Option
shall be determined by the Committee on the date the Option is granted. Shares may be purchased only upon full payment of the purchase
price. Payment of the purchase price may be made, in whole or in part, through the surrender of shares of the Common Stock at the
Fair Market Value of such shares determined in the manner described in Section 2.

(d)         
Manner of Exercise. Nonstatutory Stock Options shall vest based on a schedule determined by the Committee at the
time of the award, provided that Non-Statutory Stock Options granted to Outside Directors on the Effective Date shall vest in five
equal annual installments. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which any Non-Statutory Stock Option
may be exercised in whole or in part by Employees of the Company, and by Outside Directors if the Company has not registered any
class of its securities under section 12 of the Exchange Act. The vested Option may be exercised from time to time, in whole or
in part, by delivering a written notice of exercise to the President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Such notice shall
be irrevocable and must be accompanied by full payment of the purchase price in cash or shares of previously acquired Common Stock
at the Fair Market Value of such shares, determined on the exercise date in the manner described in Section 2 hereof. If previously
acquired shares of Common Stock are tendered in payment of all or part of the exercise price, the value of such shares shall be
determined as of the date of such exercise.

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(e)          
Terms of Options. The term during which each Non-Statutory Stock Option may be exercised shall be determined by the
Committee, but in no event shall a Non-Statutory Stock Option be exercisable in whole or in part more than 10 years from the Date
of Grant. Notwithstanding the above, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company, Community FirstBank or Crescent Bank,
all Non-Statutory Stock Options that have been awarded shall become immediately exercisable.

(f)          
Termination of Employment or Service. Upon the termination of an Employee’s employment or upon termination
of an Outside Director’s service for any reason other than Change of Control, Normal Retirement, Disability, death or Termination
for Cause, such Participant’s Non-Statutory Stock Options shall be exercisable only as to those shares that were immediately
purchasable on the date of termination and only for one year following termination. In the event of ‘Termination for Cause,
all rights under a Participant’s Non-Statutory Stock Options shall expire upon termination. In the event of termination of
employment or service of an Employee or Outside Director in the event of Change of Control, Normal Retirement, Disability or death,
all Non-Statutory Stock Options held by such Participant, whether or not exercisable at such time, shall be exercisable by such
Participant or his legal representative or beneficiaries for one year following the date of his termination of employment or service
or such later period as determined by the Committee, provided that in no event shall the period extend beyond the expiration
of the Non-Statutory Stock Option term.

(g)         
Transferability. In the discretion of the Board, all or any Non-Statutory Stock Option granted hereunder may be transferable
by the Participant once the Option has vested in the Participant, provided, however, that the Board may limit the transferability
of such Option or Options to a designated class or classes of persons.

		8.	INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS

		8.1.	Grant of Incentive Stock Options.

The Committee may,
from time to time, grant Incentive Stock Options to Employees. Incentive Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be subject
to the following terms and conditions:

(a)          
Option Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by a written option agreement between the Company and the Employee
specifying the number of shares of Common Stock that may be acquired through its exercise and containing such other terms and conditions
that are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

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(b)         
Price. Subject to Section 14 of the Plan and Section 422 of the Code, the purchase price per share of Common Stock
deliverable upon the exercise of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock on the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted. However, if an Employee owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Affiliates (or under Section 424(d) of the Code, is deemed
to own stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Affiliates,
by reason of the ownership of such classes of stock, directly or indirectly, by or for any brother, sister, spouse, ancestor or
lineal descendent of such Employee, or by or for any corporation, partnership, estate or trust of which such Employee is a shareholder,
partner or Beneficiary), the purchase price per share of Common Stock deliverable upon the exercise of each Incentive Stock Option
shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted. Shares
may be purchased only upon payment of the full purchase price. Payment of the purchase price may be made, in whole or in part,
through the surrender of shares of the Common Stock at the Fair Market Value of such shares determined in the manner described
in Section 2.

(c)          
Manner of Exercise. The Options may be exercised from time to time, in whole or in part, by delivering a written
notice of exercise to the President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Such notice is irrevocable and must be accompanied
by full payment of the purchase price in cash or shares of previously acquired Common Stock at the Fair Market Value of such shares
determined on the exercise date by the manner described in Section 2. If previously acquired shares of Common Stock are tendered
in payment of all or part of the exercise price, the Fair Market Value of such shares shall be determined as of the date of such
exercise.

(d)         
Amounts Options. Subject to the provisions of Section 5, Incentive Stock Options may be granted to any eligible Employee
in such amounts as determined by the Committee; provided that the amount granted is consistent with the terms of Section
422 of the Code. In the case of an Option intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined
as of the time the Option is granted) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted are exercisable
for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) shall not exceed
$100,000. The provisions of this Section 8.1(d) shall be construed and applied in accordance with Section 422(d) of the Code and
the regulations, if any, promulgated thereunder.

(e)          
Terms of Options. The term during which each Incentive Stock Option may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee,
but in no event shall an Incentive Stock Option be exercisable in whole or in part more than 10 years from the Date of Grant. If
any Employee, at the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted to him, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Affiliate (or, under Section 424(d) of the Code, is deemed to own stock
representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock, by reason of the ownership of such classes
of stock, directly or indirectly, by or for any brother, sister, spouse. ancestor or lineal descendent of such Employee, or by
or for any corporation, partnership, estate or trust of which such Employee is a shareholder, partner or Beneficiary), the Incentive
Stock Option granted to him shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Date of Grant. No Incentive Stock
Option granted under the Plan is transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution and is exercisable during
his lifetime only by the Employee to which it is granted.

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The Committee shall
determine the date on which each Incentive Stock Option shall become exercisable and may provide that an Incentive Stock Option
shall become exercisable in installments, provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options granted to Employees on the Effective
Date shall vest in five equal annual installments. The shares comprising each installment may be purchased in whole or in part
at any time after such installment becomes purchasable, provided that the amount able to be first exercised in a given year
is consistent with the terms of Section 422 of the Code. To the extent required by Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair
Market Value (determined at the time the option is granted) of the Common Stock for which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable
for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) shall not exceed
$100,000.

The Committee may,
in its sole discretion. accelerate the time at which any Incentive Stock Option may be exercised in whole or in part, provided
that it is consistent with the terms of Section 422 of the Code. Notwithstanding the above, in the event of a Change in Control
of the Company, all Incentive Stock Options that have been awarded shall become immediately exercisable, unless the Fair Market
Value of the amount exercisable as a result of a Change in Control shall exceed $100,000 (determined as of the Date of Grant).
In such event, the first $100,000 of Incentive Stock Options (determined as of the Date of Grant) shall be exercisable as Incentive
Stock Options and any excess shall be exercisable as Non-Statutory Stock Options.

(f)          
Termination of Employment. Upon the termination of an Employee’s service for any reason other than Disability,
Normal Retirement, Change of Control, death or Termination for Cause, the Employee’s Incentive Stock Options shall be exercisable
only as to those shares that were immediately purchasable by such Employee at the date of termination and only for a period of
three months following termination. In the event of Termination for Cause all rights under the Incentive Stock Options shall expire
upon termination.

In the event of
the death or Disability of any Employee, all Incentive Stock Options held by such Employee, whether or not exercisable at such
time, shall be exercisable by such Employee or his legal representatives or beneficiaries for one year following the date of death
or cessation of employment due to Disability. Upon termination of an Employee’s service due to Normal Retirement or a Change
in Control, all Incentive Stock Options held by such Employee, whether or not exercisable at such time, shall be exercisable for
a period of one year following the date of his cessation of employment, provided however, that any such Option shall not
be eligible for treatment as an Incentive Stock Option in the event such Option is exercised more than three months following the
date of his Normal Retirement or termination of employment due to a Change in Control. In no event shall the exercise period extend
beyond the expiration of the Incentive Stock Option term.

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(g)         
Compliance with Code. The options granted under this Section 8 are intended to qualify as incentive stock options
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but the Company makes no warranty as to the qualification of any option as an incentive
stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. If an Option granted hereunder fails for whatever reason to comply
with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, and such failure is not or cannot be cured, such Option shall be a Non-Statutory
Stock Option.

		9.	LIMITED RIGHTS

		9.1.	Grant of Limited Rights

The Committee may
grant a Limited Right simultaneously with the grant of any Option to any Employee of the Bank, with respect to all or some of the
shares covered by such Option. Limited Rights granted under the Plan are subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a)          
Terms of Rights. In no event shall a Limited Right be exercisable in whole or in part before the expiration of six
months from the date of grant of the Limited Right. A Limited Right may be exercised only in the event of a Change in Control of
the Company.

The Limited Right
may be exercised only when the underlying Option is eligible to be exercised, provided that the Fair Market Value of the
underlying shares on the day of exercise is greater than the exercise price of the related Option.

Upon exercise of
a Limited Right, the related Option shall cease to be exercisable. Upon exercise or termination of an Option, any related Limited
Rights shall terminate. The Limited Rights may be for no more than 100% of the difference between the exercise price and the Fair
Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the underlying Option. The Limited Right is transferable only when the underlying Option
is transferable and under the same conditions.

(b)         
Payment. Upon exercise of a Limited Right, the holder shall promptly receive from the Company an amount of cash equal
to the difference between the Fair Market Value on the Date of Grant of the related Option and the Fair Market Value of the underlying
shares on the date the Limited Right is exercised, multiplied by the number of shares with respect to which such Limited Right
is being exercised. In the event of a Change in Control in which pooling accounting treatment is a condition to the transaction,
the Limited Right shall be exercisable solely for shares of stock of the Company, or in the event of a merger transaction, for
shares of the acquiring corporation or its parent, as applicable. The number of shares to be received on the exercise of such Limited
Right shall be determined by dividing the amount of cash that would have been available under the first sentence above by the Fair
Market Value at the time of exercise of the shares underlying the Option subject to the Limited Right.

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		10.	SURRENDER OPTION

In the event of
a Participant’s termination of employment or termination of service as a result of death, Disability or Normal Retirement,
the Participant (or his or her personal representative(s), heir(s), or devisee(s)) may, in a form acceptable to the Committee make
application to surrender all or part of the Options held by such Participant in exchange for a cash payment from the Company of
an amount equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of termination of employment or
the date of termination of service on the Board and the exercise price per share of the Option on the Date of Grant. Whether the
Company accepts such application or determines to make payment, in whole or part, is within its absolute and sole discretion, it
being expressly understood that the Company is under no obligation to any Participant whatsoever to make such payments. In the
event that the Company accepts such application and determines to make payment, such payment shall be in lieu of the exercise of
the underlying Option and such Option shall cease to be exercisable.

		11.	RIGHTS OF A STOCKHOLDER

A Participant shall
have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by a Non-Statutory and/or Incentive Stock Option until the date
of issuance of a stock certificate for such shares. Nothing in the Plan or in any Award granted confers on any person any right
to continue in the employ of the Company or its Affiliates or to continue to perform services for the Company or its Affiliates
or interferes in any way with the right of the Company or its Affiliates to terminate his services as an officer, director or employee
at any time.

		12.	AGREEMENT WITH PARTICIPANTS

Each Award of Options,
and/or Limited Rights will be evidenced by a written agreement, executed by the Participant and the Company or its Affiliates that
describes the conditions for receiving the Awards including the date of Award, the purchase price, applicable periods, and any
other terms and conditions as may be required by the Board or applicable securities law.

		13.	DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY

A Participant may,
with the consent of the Committee, designate a person or persons to receive, in the event of death, any stock option or Limited
Rights Award to which he would then be entitled. Such designation will be made upon forms supplied by and delivered to the Company
and may be revoked in writing. If a Participant fails effectively to designate a Beneficiary, then his estate will be deemed to
be the Beneficiary.

		14.	DILUTION AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS

In the event of
any change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, pro rata return of capital to all
shareholders, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization, combination or exchange of shares, or other similar
corporate change, or other increase or decrease in such shares without receipt or payment of consideration by the Company, the
Committee will make such adjustments to previously granted Awards, to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of the Participant,
including any or all of the following:

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		(a)	adjustments in the aggregate number or kind of shares of Common Stock that may be awarded under
the Plan;

		(b)	adjustments in the aggregate number or kind of shares of Common Stock covered by Awards already
made under the Plan; or

		(c)	adjustments in the purchase price of outstanding Incentive and/or Non-Statutory Stock Options,
or any Limited Rights attached to such Options.

No such adjustments
may, however, materially change the value of benefits available to a Participant under a previously granted Award. With respect
to Incentive Stock Options, no such adjustment shall be made if it would be deemed a “modification” of the Award under
Section 424 of the Code.

		15.	WITHHOLDING

There may be deducted
from each distribution of cash and/or Common Stock under the Plan the amount of tax required by any governmental authority to he
withheld.

		16.	AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

The Board may at
any time, and from time to time, modify or amend the Plan in any respect with regard to Awards received by Employees or Outside
Directors; provided however, that no such termination, modification or amendment may affect the rights of a Participant,
without his consent, under an outstanding Award. Any amendment or modification of the Plan or an outstanding Award under the Plan,
including but not limited to the acceleration of vesting of an outstanding Award for reasons other than death, Disability, Normal
Retirement, or a Change in Control, shall be approved by the Committee or the full Board of the Company.

		17.	EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

The Plan shall become
effective upon the Effective Date.

		18.	TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

The right to grant
Awards under the Plan will terminate upon the earlier of (i) 10 years after the Effective Date, or (ii) the date on which the exercise
of Options or related rights equaling the maximum number of shares reserved under the Plan occurs, as set forth in Section 5. The
Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time, provided that no such action will, without the consent of a Participant,
adversely affect his rights under a previously granted Award.

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		19.	APPLICABLE LAW

The Plan will be
administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

    	12CAROLINA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

2006 RECOGNITION AND RETENTION PLAN

1.           
Establishment of the Plan

Carolina Financial
Corporation (the “Company”) hereby establishes the Carolina Financial Corporation 2006 Recognition and Retention Plan
(the “Plan”) upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated in the Plan.

2.           
Purpose of the Plan

The purpose of the
Plan is to advance the interests of the Company, the Company’s stockholders and the Company’s Affiliates, including
Community FirstBank of Charleston (“Community FirstBank”) and Crescent Bank, by providing Key Employees and Outside
Directors of the Company and its Affiliates, upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the successful conduct of the business
of the Company and its Affiliates largely depends, with compensation for their contributions to the Company and its Affiliates
and an additional incentive to perform in a superior manner, as well as to attract people of experience and ability.

3.           
Definitions

The following words
and phrases, when used in this Plan with an initial capital letter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, shall have
the meanings set forth below. Wherever appropriate, the masculine pronoun shall include the feminine pronoun and the singular shall
include the plural:

“Affiliate”
means any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company or the Bank, as such terms are
defined in Section 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code, or a successor to a parent corporation or subsidiary corporation.
The term “Affiliate” shall include, by way of example but not limitation, each of Community FirstBank and Crescent
Bank.

“Award”
means the grant by the Committee of Restricted Stock, as provided in the Plan.

“Beneficiary”
means the person or persons designated by a Recipient to receive any benefits payable under the Plan in the event of such Recipient’s
death. Such person or persons shall be designated in writing on forms provided for this purpose by the Committee and may be changed
from time to time by similar written notice to the Committee. In the absence of a written designation, the Beneficiary shall be
the Recipient’s surviving spouse, if any, or if none, his estate.

“Board”
or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

    	1

    	 

    

“Cause”
means personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, any breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform
stated duties, or the willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or a
final cease-and-desist order, any of which results in a material loss to the Company or an Affiliate.

“Change
in Control” means (1) an event of a nature that (i) results in a change in control of the Company within the meaning
of the applicable federal and state statutes governing the acquisition of control of the Company, and applicable regulations promulgated
thereunder as in effect on the date hereof, or (ii) would be required to be reported in response to Item 5.01 of the current report
on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange
Act”), assuming such provisions apply to the Company; (2) any person (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly
of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the Company’s outstanding securities; (3) individuals who are members
of Incumbent Board (as defined below) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, (4) a reorganization, merger,
consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or a similar transaction in which the Company is not
the resulting entity; or (5) a proxy statement is distributed that solicits proxies from stockholders of the Company, by someone
other than the current management of the Company, seeking stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation
as a result of which the outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject to such plan are exchanged for or converted
into cash or property or securities not issued by the Company. The term “Change in Control” shall not include an acquisition
of securities by an employee benefit plan of the Company or an Affiliate or the acquisition of securities of the Company in connection
with a stock offering of the Company. In the application of the applicable statutes to a determination of a Change in Control,
determinations shall be made by the Board of Directors. For purposes of this definition, “Incumbent Board” means the
Board of Directors of the Company on the date hereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof
whose election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination
for election by stockholders was approved by the nominating committee serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be considered as
though he were a member of the Incumbent Board.

“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Committee”
means a Committee of the Board the members of whom shall be determined by the board in their sole discretion, provided that prior
to any registration by the Company of any class if its securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be
modified to consist only of either (i) at least two Non-Employee Directors of the Company, or (ii) the entire Board of the Company.

“Common
Stock” means shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share.

    	2

    	 

    

“Company”
means Carolina Financial Corporation, or a successor corporation.

“Continuous
Service” means employment as a Key Employee and/or service as an Outside Director without any interruption or termination
of such employment and/or service. Continuous Service shall also mean a continuation as a member of the Board of Directors following
a cessation of employment as a Key Employee or continuation of service as a Director Emeritus following termination of service
as a Director. In the case of a Key Employee, employment shall not be considered interrupted in the case of sick leave, military
leave or any other leave of absence approved by the Company or an Affiliate or in the case of transfers between payroll locations
of the Company or an Affiliate between the Bank, its parent, its subsidiaries or its successor.

“Director”
means a member of the Board.

“Disability”
means the permanent and total inability by reason of mental or physical infirmity, or both, of an employee to perform the work
customarily assigned to him/her, or of a Director or Outside Director to serve as such. Additionally, in the case of an employee,
a medical doctor selected or approved by the Board must advise the Committee that it is either not possible to determine when such
Disability will terminate or that it appears probable that such Disability will be permanent during the remainder of such employee’s
lifetime.

“Effective
Date” means the date of, or a date determined by the Board following, approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders.

“Key Employee”
means any person who is currently employed by the Company or an Affiliate who is chosen by the Committee to participate in the
Plan.

“Non-Employee
Director” means, for purposes of the Plan, a Director who (a) is not employed by the Company or an Affiliate; (b) does
not receive compensation directly or indirectly as a consultant (or in any other capacity than as a Director) greater than $60,000;
(c) does not have an interest in a transaction requiring disclosure under the standards set forth for publicly-traded companies
under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K; or (d) is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure under the standards
set forth for publicly-traded companies would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K.

“Normal
Retirement” means retirement on or after age sixty-five (65) unless another age for Normal Retirement is specified by
the Committee in connection with an Award.

“Outside
Director” means a Director of the Company or an Affiliate who is not an employee of the Company or an Affiliate.

“Recipient”
means a Key Employee or Outside Director of the Company or its Affiliates who receives or has received an Award under the Plan.

    	3

    	 

    

“Restricted
Period” means the period of time selected by the Committee for the purpose of determining when restrictions are in effect
under Section 6 with respect to Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan.

“Restricted
Stock” means shares of Common Stock that have been contingently awarded to a Recipient by the Committee subject to the
restrictions referred to in Section 6, so long as such restrictions are in effect.

4.           
Administration of the Plan

(a)          
Role of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The interpretation and construction by the
Committee of any provisions of the Plan or of any Award granted hereunder shall be final and binding. The Committee shall act by
vote or written consent of a majority of its members. Subject to the express provisions and limitations of the Plan and subject
to regulations and policy of the Federal Reserve Board and other applicable bank regulators, the Committee may adopt such rules
and procedures as it deems appropriate for the conduct of its affairs. The Committee shall report its actions and decisions with
respect to the Plan to the Board at appropriate times, but in no event less than one time per calendar year.

(b)         
Role of the Board. The members of the Committee shall be appointed or approved by, and will serve at the pleasure
of, the Board of Directors of the Company. The Board may in its discretion from time to time remove members from, or add members
to, the Committee. The Board shall have all of the powers allocated to it in the Plan, may take any action under or with respect
to the Plan that the Committee is authorized to take, and may reverse or override any action taken or decision made by the Committee
under or with respect to the Plan, provided, however, that except as provided in Section 6(b), the Board may not
revoke any Award except in the event of revocation for Cause.

(c)          
Plan Administration Restrictions. All transactions involving a grant, award or other acquisitions from the Company
shall, to the extent applicable:

		(i)	be approved by the Company’s full Board or by the Committee;

		(ii)	be approved, or ratified, in compliance with the standards for publicly traded companies set forth
in Section 14 of the Exchange Act, by either: the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present, or represented
and entitled to vote at a meeting duly held in accordance with the laws under which the Company is incorporated; or the written
consent of the holders of a majority of the securities of the issuer entitled to vote, provided that such ratification occurs no
later than the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders; or

		(iii)	result in the acquisition of Common Stock that is held by the Recipient for a period of six months
following the date of such acquisition.

    	4

    	 

    

(d)         
Limitation on Liability. No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any determination made in good
faith with respect to the Plan or any Awards granted under it. If a member of the Board or the Committee is a party or is threatened
to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative, by reason of anything done or not done by him/her in such capacity under or with respect to the Plan, the Company
shall indemnify such member against expense (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him/her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he/she acted in good faith and
in a manner he/she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company or its Affiliates and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

5.           
Eligibility; Awards

(a)          
Eligibility. Key Employees and Outside Directors are eligible to receive Awards.

(b)         
Awards to Key Employees and Outside Directors. The Committee may determine which of the Key Employees and Outside
Directors referenced in Section 5(a) will be granted Awards and the number of shares covered by each Award; provided, however,
that in no event shall any Awards be made that will violate the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, or any
applicable federal or state law or regulation. Shares of Restricted Stock that are awarded by the Committee shall, on the date
of the Award, be registered in the name of the Recipient and transferred to the Recipient, in accordance with the terms and conditions
established under the Plan. Subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 7 hereof. The aggregate number of shares that shall be issued
under the Plan is 60,000 shares. Awards issued under the Plan may be issued by the Company from authorized but unissued shares,
treasury shares or shares acquired by the Company in open market purchases.

(c)          
In the event Restricted Stock is forfeited for any reason, the Committee, from time to time, may determine which of the
Key Employees and Outside Directors will be granted additional Awards to be awarded from forfeited Restricted Stock.

(d)         
In selecting those Key Employees and Outside Directors to whom Awards will be granted and the amount of Restricted Stock
covered by such Awards, the Committee shall consider such factors as it deems relevant, including among others, the position and
responsibilities of the Key Employees and Outside Directors, the length and value of their services to the Company and its Affiliates,
the compensation paid to the Key Employees or fees paid to the Outside Directors, and the Committee may request the written recommendation
of the Chief Executive Officer and other senior executive officers of the Company and its Affiliates or the recommendation of the
full Board. All allocations by the Committee shall be subject to review, and approval or rejection, by the Board.

No Restricted Stock
shall be vested unless the Recipient maintains Continuous Service with the Company or an Affiliate until the restrictions lapse.

    	5

    	 

    

(e)          
Manner of Award. As promptly as practicable after a determination is made pursuant to Section 5(b) to grant an Award,
the Committee shall notify the Recipient in writing of the grant of the Award, the number of shares of Restricted Stock covered
by the Award, and the terms upon which the Restricted Stock subject to the Award may be vested. Upon notification of an Award of
Restricted Stock, the Recipient shall execute and return to the Company a restricted stock agreement (the “Restricted Stock
Agreement”) setting forth the terms and conditions under which the Recipient shall earn the Restricted Stock, together with
a stock power or stock powers endorsed in blank. Thereafter, unless issued in electronic form in the manner contemplated by Section
6(e) hereof, the Recipient’s Restricted Stock and stock power shall be deposited with an escrow agent specified by the Company
(“Escrow Agent”) who shall hold such Restricted Stock under the terms and conditions set forth in the Restricted Stock
Agreement. Each certificate in respect of shares of Restricted Stock Awarded under the Plan shall be registered in the name of
the Recipient.

(f)          
Treatment of Forfeited Shares. In the event shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited by a Recipient, such shares
shall be returned to the Company and shall be held and accounted for pursuant to the terms of the Plan until such time as the Restricted
Stock is re-awarded to another Recipient, in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable state and federal laws, rules
and regulations.

6.           
Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock

The Committee shall
have full and complete authority, subject to other limitations of the Plan, to grant awards of Restricted Stock to Key Employees
and Outside Directors and, in addition to the terms and conditions contained in Sections 6(a) through 6(h), to provide such other
terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Recipients) in respect of such Awards, and the vesting thereof, as the
Committee shall determine.

(a)          
General Rules. Restricted Stock shall vest in a Recipient at the rate or rates determined by the Committee, provided
that such Recipient maintains Continuous Service. Subject to any such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall provide
with respect to Awards, shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the
Recipient, except as hereinafter provided, during the Restricted Period.

(b)         
Continuous Service; Forfeiture. Except as provided in Section 6(c), if a Recipient ceases to maintain Continuous
Service for any reason, unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, all shares of Restricted Stock theretofore awarded to such
Recipient and which at the time of such termination of Continuous Service are subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6(a)
shall upon such termination of Continuous Service be forfeited. Any stock dividends or declared but unpaid cash dividends attributable
to such shares of Restricted Stock shall also be forfeited.

(c)          
Exception for Termination Due to Death, Disability, Normal Retirement or Following a Change in Control. Notwithstanding
the general rule contained in Section 6(a), Restricted Stock awarded to a Recipient whose Continuous Service with the Company or
an Affiliate terminates due to death, Disability, Normal Retirement or following a Change in Control, shall be deemed earned as
of the Recipient’s last day of Continuous Service with the Company or an Affiliate.

    	6

    	 

    

(d)         
Revocation for Cause. Notwithstanding anything hereinafter to the contrary, the Board may by resolution immediately
revoke, rescind and terminate any Award, or portion thereof, previously awarded under the Plan, to the extent Restricted Stock
has not been redelivered by the Escrow Agent to the Recipient, whether or not yet vested, in the case of a Key Employee whose employment
is terminated by the Company or an Affiliate or an Outside Director whose service is terminated by the Company or an Affiliate
for Cause or who is discovered after termination of employment or service on the Board to have engaged in conduct that would have
justified termination for Cause.

(e)          
Restricted Stock Legend. Each certificate in respect of shares of Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall be
registered in the name of the Recipient and deposited by the Recipient, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the
Escrow Agent, and shall bear the following (or a similar) legend:

“The transferability
of this certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) contained
in the Carolina Financial Corporation 2006 Recognition and Retention Plan. Copies of such Plan are on file in the offices of the
Secretary of Carolina Financial Corporation, 288 Meeting Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401.”

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company
may in its sole discretion issue Restricted Stock Awards in any other approved format (e.g., electronically or in book entry form)
in order to facilitate the paperless transfer of such Awards. In the event Restricted Stock Awards are not issued in certificate
form, the Company and the transfer agent shall maintain appropriate bookkeeping entries that evidence Participants’ ownership
of such Awards. Restricted Stock Awards that are not issued in certificate form shall be subject to the same terms and conditions
of this Plan, including Section 6(f) and 6(g), as any Restricted Stock Awards granted in certificated form.

(f)          
Payment of Dividends and Return of Capital. After an Award has been granted but before such Award has been vested,
the Recipient shall receive any cash dividends paid with respect to such shares, or shall share in any pro-rata return of capital
to all stockholders with respect to the Common Stock. Stock dividends declared by the Company and paid on Awards that have not
yet been vested shall be subject to the same restrictions as the Restricted Stock and the certificate(s) or other instruments representing
or evidencing such shares shall be legended in the manner provided in Section 6(e) and shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent for
distribution to the Recipient when the Restricted Stock upon which such dividends were paid are vested. Unless the Recipient has
made an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, cash dividends or other amounts so paid on shares that have not yet been vested
by the Recipient shall be treated as compensation income to the Recipient when paid. If dividends are paid with respect to shares
of Restricted Stock under the Plan that have been forfeited and returned to the Company or to a trust established to hold issued
and unawarded or forfeited shares, the Committee can determine to award such dividends to any Recipient or Recipients under the
Plan, to any other employee or director of the Company or an Affiliate, or can return such dividends to the Company.

    	7

    	 

    

(g)         
Voting of Restricted Shares. After an Award has been granted, the Recipient as conditional owner of the Restricted
Stock shall have the right to vote such shares.

(h)         
Delivery of Vested Shares. At the expiration of the restrictions imposed by Section 6(a), the Escrow Agent shall
redeliver to the Recipient (or where the relevant provision of Section 6(c) applies in the case of a deceased Recipient, to his
Beneficiary) the certificate(s) and any remaining stock power deposited with it pursuant to Section 5(f) and the shares represented
by such certificate(s) shall be free of the restrictions referred to in Section 6(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Restricted
Stock has been issued in electronic form, the Company shall have transferred to the Recipient or the Recipient’s brokerage
account, in any acceptable from or elected by the Recipient, the Common Stock, free of any restrictions.

(i)           
Valuation of Restricted Stock. The fair market value of the Restricted Stock shall be determined solely in the discretion
of the Committee by the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method. Factors to be considered under a reasonable valuation
method include as applicable, but are not limited to:

		(i)	the value of tangible and intangible assets of the Company;

		(ii)	the present value of future cash-flows of the Company;

		(iii)	the market value of stock or equity interests in similar corporations and other entities engages
in trades or businesses substantially similar to those engaged in by the corporation whose stock is to be valued, the value of
which can be readily determined though objective means (such as through trading prices on an established securities market or an
amount paid in an arm’s length private transaction);

		(iv)	the Company’s prospective earning power and dividend-paying capacity; and

		(v)	other relevant factors such as (1) the good will of the business, (2) the economic outlook in the
Company’s industry, (3) the Company’s position in the industry and its management, (4) the degree of control of the
business represented by the block of stock to be valued, (5) control premiums or discounts for lack of marketability; and (6) whether
the valuation method is used for other purposes that have a material economic effect on the Company.

    	8

    	 

    

7.           
Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization

In the event of
any change in the outstanding shares subsequent to the Effective Date by reason of any reorganization, recapitalization, stock
split, stock dividend, combination or exchange of shares, or any merger, consolidation or any change in the corporate structure
or shares of the Company, without receipt or payment of consideration by the Company, the maximum aggregate number and class of
shares as to which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee, whose determination shall
be conclusive. Any shares of stock or other securities received, as a result of any of the foregoing, by a Recipient with respect
to Restricted Stock shall be subject to the same restrictions and the certificate(s) or other instruments representing or evidencing
such shares or securities shall be legended and deposited with the Escrow Agent in the manner provided in Section 6(e).

8.           
Assignments and Transfers

No Award nor any
right or interest of a Recipient under the Plan in any instrument evidencing any Award under the Plan may be assigned, encumbered
or transferred (within the meaning of Code Section 83) except, in the event of the death of a Recipient, by will or the laws of
descent and distribution until such Award is vested.

9.           
Key Employee Rights under the Plan

No Key Employee
shall have a right to be selected as a Recipient nor, having been so selected, to be selected again as a Recipient and no Key Employee
or other person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan or under any other incentive or similar plan
of the Company or any Affiliate. Neither the Plan nor any action taken thereunder shall be construed as giving any Key Employee
any right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate.

10.        
Outside Director Rights under the Plan

Neither the Plan
nor any action taken thereunder shall be construed as giving any Outside Director any right to be retained in the service of the
Company or any Affiliate.

11.        
Withholding Tax

Upon the termination
of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock (or at any such earlier time that an election is made by
the Recipient under Section 83(b) of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, to include the value of such shares in taxable
income), the Company or its Affiliate, as applicable, shall have the right to require the Recipient or other person receiving such
shares to pay the Company the minimum amount of any federal or state taxes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such
supplemental income and that the Company or an Affiliate is required to withhold with respect to such shares, or, in lieu thereof,
to retain or sell without notice, a sufficient number of shares held by it to cover the amount required to be withheld. The Company
shall have the right to deduct from all dividends paid with respect to shares of Restricted Stock the amount of any taxes which
the Company or one of its Affiliates is required to withhold with respect to such dividend payments.

    	9

    	 

    

12.        
Amendment or Termination

The Board of the
Company may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time, provided, however, that no such
amendment, suspension or termination shall impair the rights of any Recipient, without his consent, in any Award theretofore made
pursuant to the Plan. Any amendment or modification of the Plan or an outstanding Award under the Plan, shall be approved by the
Committee, or the full Board of the Company.

13.        
Governing Law

This Plan, the Awards,
all documents evidencing Awards and all other related documents shall be governed by, and will be construed and administered in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, except to the extent that federal law shall apply.

14.        
Term of Plan

The Plan shall become
effective on the date of, or a date determined by the Board of Directors. It shall continue in effect until the earlier of (i)
ten years from the Effective Date unless sooner terminated under Section 12 hereof, or (ii) the date on which all shares of Common
Stock available for award hereunder, have vested in the Recipients of such Awards.

    	10

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