Form of Global Subordinated Note for the 5.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Note Due 2029

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IS SUBORDINATED AND JUNIOR IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3 OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE) OF SECURITY FEDERAL CORPORATION INC (THE “COMPANY”), INCLUDING OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY TO ITS GENERAL CREDITORS AND SECURED CREDITORS, AND IS UNSECURED.  IT IS INELIGIBLE AS COLLATERAL FOR ANY EXTENSION OF CREDIT BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES.  IN THE EVENT OF LIQUIDATION ALL HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS OF THE COMPANY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO BE PAID IN FULL WITH SUCH INTEREST AS MAY BE PROVIDED BY LAW BEFORE ANY PAYMENT SHALL BE MADE ON ACCOUNT OF PRINCIPAL OF OR INTEREST ON THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE.  AFTER PAYMENT IN FULL OF ALL SUMS OWING TO SUCH HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS, THE HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, TOGETHER WITH THE HOLDERS OF ANY OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY RANKING ON A PARITY WITH THE SUBORDINATED NOTES, SHALL BE ENTITLED TO BE PAID FROM THE REMAINING ASSETS OF THE COMPANY THE UNPAID PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE PLUS ACCRUED AND UNPAID INTEREST THEREON BEFORE ANY PAYMENT OR OTHER DISTRIBUTION, WHETHER IN CASH, PROPERTY OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE MADE (I) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OBLIGATION THAT BY ITS TERMS EXPRESSLY IS JUNIOR IN THE RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO THE SUBORDINATED NOTES, (II) WITH RESPECT TO THE EXISTING JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES OF THE COMPANY (UNDERLYING THE OUTSTANDING TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES) AS OF THE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE TO WHICH THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE SHALL BE SENIOR, (III) WITH RESPECT TO ANY INDEBTEDNESS BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES, OR (IV) ON ACCOUNT OF ANY SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE COMPANY.

THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IS NOT A DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR FUND.

THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN MINIMUM DENOMINATIONS OF $1,000 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.  ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IN A DENOMINATION OF LESS THAN $1,000 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER.  ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE RECEIPT OF PAYMENTS ON THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, AND SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE.

THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE MAY BE SOLD ONLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”),

OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS.  NEITHER THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS:

THE HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF OR THEREOF AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH, A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, ARE NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE AND HOLDING.  ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER:  (I) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR OTHER PLAN TO WHICH TITLE I OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF ANY SUCH EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLANS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY SUCH EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLANS TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE OR (II) SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH FULL EXEMPTIVE RELIEF IS NOT AVAILABLE UNDER APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.

ANY FIDUCIARY OF ANY PLAN WHO IS CONSIDERING THE ACQUISITION OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER LEGAL COUNSEL PRIOR TO ACQUIRING THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN.

No. 2029- [●]	CUSIP Accredited Investors 813903 AC5 /US813903AC59
	CUSIP (QIBs)  813903 AB7 /US813903AB76

1. Subordinated Notes.  This Subordinated Note is one of an issue of notes of Security Federal Corporation, a South Carolina corporation (the “Company”) designated as the “5.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due November 22, 2029” (the “Subordinated Notes”) issued pursuant to that Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date (as defined herein), between the Company and the several purchasers of the Subordinated Notes identified on the signature pages thereto (the “Purchase Agreement”).

2. Payment.  The Company, for value received, promises to pay to [●], or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [●] Dollars (U.S.) ($[●]), plus accrued but unpaid interest on November 22 , 2029 (“Stated Maturity”) and to pay interest thereon (i) from and including the Issue Date of the Subordinated Notes to but excluding November 22 , 2024 or the earlier redemption date contemplated by Section 4 of this Subordinated Note, at the rate of 5.25% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year (each, a “Fixed Interest Payment Date”), beginning June  1, 2020, and (ii) from and including November 22 , 2024 to but excluding the Stated Maturity or the earlier redemption date contemplated by Section 4 of this Subordinated Note, at the rate per annum, reset semi-annually, equal to LIBOR determined on the Interest Determination Date (as defined below) of the applicable interest period plus 369 basis points, computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed and payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year (each, a “Floating Interest Payment Date”).

(a) An “Interest Payment Date” is either a Fixed Interest Payment Date or a Floating Interest Payment Date, as applicable.

(b) “LIBOR” means the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars having an index maturity of three months in amounts of at least $1,000,000, as that rate appears on Reuters screen page “LIBOR01” (or any successor or replacement page) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the second London Banking Day (as defined below) prior to the first day of the applicable floating rate interest period (the “Interest Determination Date”).  A “London Banking Day” means any day on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.

   (i) If no offered rate appears on Reuters screen page “LIBOR01” on the relevant Interest Determination Date at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, then the Company will select four major banks in the London interbank market and will request each of their principal London offices to provide a quotation of the rate at which three-month deposits in U.S. dollars in amounts of at least $1,000,000 are offered by it to prime banks in the London interbank market, on that date and at that time, that is representative of single transactions at that time.  If at least two quotations are provided, LIBOR will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest .00001 of 1%) of the quotations provided.

   (ii) If fewer than two such quotations contemplated by Section 2(b)(i) above are provided or are available, the Company will select three major banks in New York City and will request each of them to provide a quotation of the rate offered by it at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Interest Determination Date for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks having an index maturity of three months for the applicable interest period in an amount of at least $1,000,000 that is

representative of single transactions at that time.  If three quotations are provided, LIBOR will be the arithmetic average of the quotations provided.

  (iii) If (A) fewer than the two quotations contemplated by Section 2(b)(i) above, and (B) fewer than the three quotations contemplated by Section 2(b)(ii) above are provided or are available, the Company, after consulting such sources as it reasonably deems in good-faith to be comparable to any of the foregoing quotations or display page, or any such source as it deems reasonable from which to estimate LIBOR or any of the foregoing lending rates, shall determine LIBOR for the applicable interest period in its sole discretion.

  (iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 2:

     (1) If the Company reasonably determines in good faith on the relevant Interest Determination Date that the LIBOR base rate has been discontinued, then the Company will use a substitute or successor base rate that it has determined in its sole reasonable discretion is most comparable to the LIBOR base rate, provided that if the Company reasonably determines in good faith that there is an industry-accepted substitute or successor base rate, then the Company shall use such substitute or successor base rate (such rate, together with any rate determined by the Company pursuant to Section 2(b)(ii), the “Alternative Rate”);

     (2) If the Company has determined to utilize a substitute or successor base rate in accordance with the foregoing, the Company in its sole reasonable discretion may determine what business day convention to use, the definition of business day, the Interest Determination Date to be used and any other relevant methodology for calculating such substitute or successor base rate, including any adjustment factor needed to make such substitute or successor base rate comparable to the LIBOR base rate, in a manner that is consistent with industry-accepted practices for such substitute or successor base rate; and

     (3) The Company shall provide each Noteholder (as defined herein) with notice of its determination of an Alternative Rate promptly after such determination.  If, within five (5) Business Days (as defined herein) after providing such notice, the Company is notified by the Noteholders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Subordinated Notes that such Noteholders reasonably believe that the determination of such Alternative Rate is not consistent with this Section 2, then the Noteholders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Subordinated Notes, each using their commercially reasonable judgment, shall  determine the Alternative Rate.  In the event the Noteholders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Subordinated Notes cannot reach agreement on such Alternative Rate within fifteen (15) Business Days of the Company’s notification of its proposed Alternative Rate under this Section 2, the Alternative Rate shall be the rate identified by the Noteholder of the largest principal amount of Subordinated Notes, selected based on such Noteholder’s commercially reasonable judgment.

Any payment of principal of or interest on this Subordinated Note that would otherwise become due and payable on a day which is not a Business Day shall become due and payable on the next succeeding Business Day, with the same force and effect as if made on the date for payment of such principal or interest, and no interest will accrue in respect of such payment for the period after such day.  The term “Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday and that is not a day on which banks in the State of South Carolina are generally authorized or required by law or executive order to be closed.

3. Subordination.

(a) The indebtedness of the Company evidenced by this Subordinated Note, including the principal and interest on this Subordinated Note, shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all existing claims of creditors of the Company and depositors of Security Federal Bank (the “Bank”) whether now outstanding or subsequently created, assumed, guaranteed or incurred (collectively, “Senior Indebtedness”), which shall consist of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on:  (i) all indebtedness and obligations of, or guaranteed or assumed by, the Company for money borrowed, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, securities, notes or other similar instruments, and including, but not limited to, deposits of the Bank and all obligations to the Company’s general creditors and secured creditors; (ii) any deferred obligations of the Company for the payment of the purchase price of property or assets acquired other than in the ordinary course of business; (iii) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of the Company in respect of any letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, security purchase facilities and similar direct credit substitutes; (iv) any capital lease obligations of the Company; (v) all obligations of the Company in respect of interest rate swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or option contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts, commodity contracts and other similar arrangements or derivative products; (vi) any obligation of the Company to its general creditors, as defined for purposes of the capital adequacy regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) applicable to the Company, as the same may be amended or modified from time to time; (vii) all obligations that are similar to those in clauses (i) through (v) of other persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise arising from an off-balance sheet guarantee; (vii) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of other persons secured by a lien on any property or asset of the Company, and (viii) in the case of clauses (i) through (viii) above, all amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of such indebtedness and obligations; except “Senior Indebtedness” does not include (A) the Subordinated Notes, (B) any obligation that by its terms expressly is junior to, or ranks equally in right of payment with, the Subordinated Notes, (C) the existing Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2036 of the Company (underlying the outstanding trust preferred securities) as of the date of the issuance of this Subordinated Note to which this Subordinated Note shall be senior, or (D) any indebtedness between the Company and any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates.  This Subordinated Note is not secured by any assets of the Company or any subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company.  The term “Affiliate(s)” means, with respect to any Person (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement), such Person’s immediate family members, partners, members or parent and subsidiary corporations, and any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with said Person and their respective Affiliates.

(b) In the event of any liquidation of the Company, holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled to be paid in full with such interest as may be provided by law before any payment shall be made on account of principal of or interest on this Subordinated Note.  Additionally, in the event of any insolvency, dissolution, assignment for the benefit of creditors or any liquidation or winding up of or relating to the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to be paid in full before any payment shall be made on account of the principal of or interest on the Subordinated Notes, including this Subordinated Note.  In the event of any such proceeding, after payment in full of all sums owing with respect to the Senior Indebtedness, the registered holders of the Subordinated Notes from time to time (each, a “Noteholder” and, collectively, the “Noteholders”), together with the holders of any obligations of the Company ranking on a parity with the Subordinated Notes, shall be entitled to be paid from the remaining assets of the Company the unpaid principal thereof, and the unpaid interest thereon before any payment or other distribution, whether in cash, property or otherwise, shall be made (i) with respect to any obligation that by its terms expressly is junior to in the right of payment to the Subordinated Notes, (ii) with respect to the existing junior subordinated debentures of the Company (underlying the outstanding trust preferred securities) as of the Issue Date to which this Subordinated Note

shall be senior, (iii) with respect to any indebtedness between the Company and any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates or (iv) on account of any capital stock.

(c) If there shall have occurred and be continuing (i) a default in any payment with respect to any Senior Indebtedness or (ii) an event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness as a result of which the maturity thereof is accelerated, unless and until such payment default or event of default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no payments shall be made by the Company with respect to the Subordinated Notes, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 18 hereof.  The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any payment with respect to which Section 3(b) above would be applicable.

(d) Nothing herein shall act to prohibit, limit or impede the Company from issuing additional debt of the Company having the same rank as the Subordinated Notes or which may be junior or senior in rank to the Subordinated Notes.  Each Noteholder, by its acceptance hereof, agrees to and shall be bound by the provisions of this Section 3.  Each Noteholder, by its acceptance hereof, further acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration for each holder of any Senior Indebtedness, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Subordinated Notes, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness, and such holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold or in continuing to hold such Senior Indebtedness.

4.                Redemption.

(a) Redemption Prior to Fifth Anniversary.  This Subordinated Note shall not be redeemable by the Company in whole or in part prior to the fifth (5^th)anniversary of the date upon which this Subordinated Note was originally issued (the “Issue Date”), except in the event of:  (i) a Tier 2 Capital Event (as defined below), (ii) a Tax Event (as defined below) or (iii) an Investment Company Event (as defined below).  Upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event, a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event, subject to Section 4(f) below, the Company may redeem this Subordinated Note in whole or in part at any time, upon giving not less than 10 (ten) calendar days’ notice to the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note at an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding principal amount being redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest, to but excluding the redemption date.  “Tier 2 Capital Event” means the receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel to the Company to the effect that there is a material risk that the Subordinated Note no longer qualifies as “Tier 2” Capital (as defined by the Federal Reserve) (or its then equivalent) as a result of a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any judicial, legislative or regulatory authority that becomes effective after the date of Issue Date.  “Tax Event” means the receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel to the Company that as a result of any amendment to, or change (including any final and adopted (or enacted) prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, there is a material risk that interest payable by the Company on the Subordinated Notes is not, or within one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days after the receipt of such opinion will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  “Investment Company Event” means the receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel to the Company to the effect that there is a material risk that the Company is or, within one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days after the receipt of such opinion will be, required to register as an investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(b) Redemption on or after Fifth Anniversary.  On or after the fifth anniversary of the Issue Date, subject to Section 4(f) below, this Subordinated Note shall be redeemable at the option of and by the Company, in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, at an amount equal to one hundred percent

(100%) of the outstanding principal amount being redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest, to but excluding the redemption date, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000.  In addition, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Subordinated Notes, at any time upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event, Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.  The redemption referred to in this Section 4 shall be subject to any required regulatory approvals.

(c) Partial Redemption.   If less than the then outstanding principal amount of this Subordinated Note is redeemed, (i) a new Subordinated Note shall be issued representing the unredeemed portion without charge to the holder thereof and (ii) such redemption shall be effected on a pro rata basis as to the Noteholders.  For purposes of clarity, upon a partial redemption, a like percentage of the principal amount of every Subordinated Note held by every Noteholder shall be redeemed.

(d) No Redemption at Option of Noteholder.  This Subordinated Note is not subject to redemption at the option of the holder of this Subordinated Note.

(e) Effectiveness of Redemption.  If notice of redemption has been duly given and notwithstanding that this Subordinated Note has been called for redemption but has not yet been surrendered for cancellation, on and after the date fixed for redemption interest shall cease to accrue on the portion of this Subordinated Note called for redemption, this Subordinated Note shall no longer be deemed outstanding with respect to the portion called for redemption and all rights with respect to the portion of this Subordinated Note called for redemption shall forthwith on such date fixed for redemption cease and terminate unless the Company shall default in the payment of the redemption price, except only the right of the Noteholder to receive the amount payable on such redemption, without interest.

(f) Regulatory Approvals.  Any such redemption shall be subject to receipt of any and all required federal and state regulatory approvals or non-objections, including, but not limited to, the consent of the Federal Reserve.  In the case of any redemption of this Subordinated Note pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (c) of this Section 4, the Company will give the Noteholder notice of redemption, which notice shall indicate the aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes to be redeemed, not less than thirty (30) nor more than forty-five (45) calendar days prior to the proposed redemption date.

(g) Purchase and Resale of the Subordinated Notes.  Subject to any required federal and state regulatory approvals and the provisions of this Subordinated Note, the Company shall have the right to purchase any of the Subordinated Notes at any time in the open market, private transactions or otherwise.  If the Company purchases any Subordinated Notes, it may, in its discretion, hold, resell or cancel any of the purchased Subordinated Notes.

5. Events of Default; Acceleration.  Each of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

(a) the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization law, now or hereafter in effect of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, and such decree or order will have continued unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive calendar days;

(b) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law, now or hereafter in effect of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or the consent by the Company to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary case or proceeding under any such law;

(c) the Company (i) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts as they mature, (ii) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature, or (iv) ceases to be a bank holding company or financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended;

(d) the failure of the Company to pay any installment of interest on any of the Subordinated Notes as and when the same will become due and payable, and the continuation of such failure for a period of fifteen (15) consecutive calendar days;

(e) the failure of the Company to pay all or any part of the principal of any of the Subordinated Notes as and when the same will become due and payable;

(f) the liquidation of the Company (for the avoidance of doubt, “liquidation” does not include any merger, consolidation, sale of equity or assets or reorganization (exclusive of a reorganization in bankruptcy) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries); or

(g) the default or breach of the Company to materially perform any other covenant or agreement on the part of the Company contained in the Subordinated Notes and the continuation of such default or breach (without such default or breach having been waived in accordance with the provisions of Section 17) for a period of 90 consecutive calendar days after there has been given to the Company by the Holders of not less than 25.0% in principal amount of the outstanding Subordinated Notes, by registered or certified mail, in the manner set forth in Section 22, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied, and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder.

Unless the principal of this Subordinated Note already shall have become due and payable, if an Event of Default described in Section 5(a) or Section 5(b) shall have occurred and be continuing, the holder of this Subordinated Note, by notice in writing to Company, may declare the principal amount of this Subordinated Note to be due and payable immediately and, upon any such declaration, the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable.  The Company waives demand, presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, notice of protest, and all other notices.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, because the Company will treat the Subordinated Notes as Tier 2 Capital, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default other than an Event of Default described in Section 5(a) or Section 5(b), the Noteholders may not accelerate the Stated Maturity of the Subordinated Notes and make the principal of, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Subordinated Notes, immediately due and payable.  The Company, within forty-five (45) calendar days after the receipt of written notice from any Noteholder of the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to this Subordinated Note, shall mail to all Noteholders, at their addresses shown on the Security Register (as defined in Section 14 below), such written notice of Event of Default, unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice as certified by the Company in writing.

Prior to any acceleration of this Subordinated Note, a Noteholder may waive pursuant to Section 18 below any past Event of Default. In addition, a Noteholder may rescind a declaration of acceleration of this Subordinated Note before any judgment has been obtained if (i) the Company pays all matured installments of principal of and interest on this Subordinated Note (other than installments due by reason of acceleration) and interest on the overdue installments; and (ii) all other Events of Default with respect to this Subordinated Note have been cured or waived.

6. Failure to Make Payments.  In the event of any failure by the Company to make any required payment of principal or interest on this Subordinated Note (and in the case of payment of interest, such failure to pay shall have continued for thirty (30) calendar days), the Company will, upon demand of the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note, pay to the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note the amount then due and payable on this Subordinated Note for principal and interest (without acceleration of the Note in

any manner), with interest on the overdue principal and interest at the rate borne by this Subordinated Note, to the extent permitted by applicable law.  If the Company fails to pay such amount upon such demand, the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note may, among other things, institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company and collect the amounts adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company.

Upon the occurrence of a failure by the Company to make any required payment of principal or interest on this Subordinated Note, or an Event of Default until such Event of Default is cured by the Company or waived by the Noteholders in accordance with Section 18 hereof, the Company shall not, except as required by any federal or state governmental agency:  (a) declare or pay any distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock; (b) make any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any indebtedness of the Company that ranks equal with or junior to the Subordinated Notes; or (c) make any payments under any guarantee that ranks equal with or junior to the Subordinated Notes, other than (i) any dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, any class of the Company’s common stock; (ii) any declaration of a non-cash dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto; (iii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company’s capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company’s capital stock for another class or series of the Company’s capital stock; (iv) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged; or (v) purchases of any class of the Company’s common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any benefit plans for the Company’s directors, officers or employees or any of the Company’s dividend reinvestment plans.

7. Affirmative Covenants of the Company.

(a) Notice of Certain Events.  To the extent permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Company shall provide written notice to the Noteholder of the occurrence of any of the following events as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen (15) Business Days following the Company becoming aware of the occurrence of such event:

   (i) the total risk-based capital ratio, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio or leverage ratio of the Company (but only to the extent the Company is required to measure and report such ratios on a consolidated basis under applicable law) or any of the Company’s banking subsidiaries becomes less than ten percent (10.0%), eight percent (8.0%), six and one-half percent (6.50%) or five percent (5.0%), respectively;

   (ii) the Company, or any officer of the Company, becomes subject to any formal, written regulatory enforcement action (as defined by the applicable state or federal regulatory authority);

   (iii) the appointment, resignation, removal or termination of the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Lending Officer or any director of the Company; or

   (iv) there is a change in ownership, from the ownership on the Closing Date, of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote for the election of directors.

(b) Payment of Principal and Interest.  The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, and interest on, this Subordinated Note, in accordance with the terms hereof.

(c) Maintenance of Office.  The Company will maintain an office or agency in the city of Aiken, South Carolina where Subordinated Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Subordinated Notes may be served.  The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Subordinated Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the city of Aiken, South Carolina.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Noteholders of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

(d) Corporate Existence.  The Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:  (i) the corporate existence of the Company; (ii) the existence (corporate or other) of each subsidiary; and (iii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and each of its subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to preserve the existence (corporate or other) of any of its subsidiaries or any such right, license or franchise of the Company or any of its subsidiaries if the Board of Directors of the Company determines that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof will not be disadvantageous in any material respect to the Noteholders.

(e) Maintenance of Properties.  The Company will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, cause all its properties used or useful in the conduct of its business to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 7 will prevent the Company or any subsidiary from discontinuing the operation and maintenance of any of their respective properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company or of any subsidiary, as the case may be, desirable in the conduct of its business.

(f) Compliance Certificate.  The Company will deliver to the Noteholders, within 120 calendar days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate covering the preceding calendar year, stating whether or not, to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Subordinated Note (without regard to notice requirements or periods of grace) and if the Company will be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which he or she may have knowledge.

(g) Tier 2 Capital.  Whether or not the Company is subject to consolidated capital requirements under applicable regulations of the Federal Reserve, if all or any portion of the Subordinated Notes ceases to qualify as Tier 2 Capital, other than due to the limitation imposed on the capital treatment of subordinated debt during the five (5) years immediately preceding the Stated Maturity of the Subordinated Notes, the Company will promptly notify the Noteholder and thereafter, subject to the Company’s right to redeem the Subordinated Notes under such circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Subordinated Notes, if requested by the Company, the Company and the Noteholder will work together in good faith to execute and deliver all agreements as reasonably necessary in order to restructure the applicable portions of the obligations evidenced by the Subordinated Notes to qualify as Tier 2 Capital; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 7(g) shall limit the Company’s right to redeem the Subordinated Notes upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event pursuant to Section 4(a) or Section 4(b).

(h) Compliance with Laws.  The Company shall comply with the requirements of all laws, regulations, orders and decrees applicable to it or its properties, except for such noncompliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(i) Taxes and Assessments.  The Company shall punctually pay and discharge all material taxes, assessments, and other governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or upon any of its properties; provided, that no such taxes, assessments or other governmental charges need be paid if they are being contested in good faith by the Company.

(j) Financial Statements; Access to Records.

   (i) Not later than forty-five (45) calendar days following the end of each fiscal quarter for which the Company has not submitted a Consolidated Financial Statements for Holding Companies Reporting Form FR Y-9C to the Federal Reserve, upon request, the Company shall provide the Noteholder with a copy of the Company’s unaudited parent company only balance sheet and statement of income (loss) for and as of the end of such immediately preceding fiscal quarter, prepared in accordance with past practice.  Quarterly financial statements, if required herein, shall be unaudited and need not comply with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

   (ii) Not later than one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days from the end of each fiscal year, upon request the Company shall provide the Noteholder with copies of the Company’s audited financial statements consisting of the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of the fiscal year end and the related statements of income (loss) and retained earnings, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended.  Such financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the period involved.

8. Negative Covenants of the Company.

(a) Limitation on Dividends.  The Company shall not declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on capital stock or other equity securities of any kind of the Company if the Company is not “well capitalized” for regulatory capital purposes under Section 225.2(r) of Regulation Y immediately prior to the declaration of such dividend or distribution, except for dividends payable solely in shares of common stock of the Company.

(b) Merger or Sale of Assets.  The Company shall not merge into another entity, or convey, transfer or lease substantially all of its properties and assets to any person, unless:

   (i) the continuing entity into which the Company is merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer or which leases substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company shall be a corporation, association or other legal entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the Subordinated Notes according to their terms, and the due and punctual performance of all covenants and conditions hereof on the part of the Company to be performed or observed; and

   (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing.

9. Global Subordinated Notes.

(a) Provided that applicable depository eligibility requirements are met, upon the written election of any Noteholder that is a Qualified Institutional Buyer, as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide that the Subordinated Notes owned by Noteholders that are Qualified Institutional Buyers shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Subordinated Notes (each, a “Global Subordinated Note”) registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company or another organization registered as a clearing agency under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and designated as Depositary by the Company or any successor thereto (the “Depositary”) or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision herein, no Global Subordinated Note may be exchanged in whole or in part for Subordinated Notes registered, and no transfer of a Global Subordinated Note in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any person other than the Depositary for such Global Subordinated Note or a nominee thereof unless (i) such Depositary advises the Company in writing that such Depositary is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities as Depositary with respect to such Global Subordinated Note, and no qualified successor is appointed by the Company within 90 days of receipt by the Company of such notice, (ii) such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and no successor is appointed by the Company within 90 days after obtaining knowledge of such event, (iii) the Company elects to terminate the book-entry system through the Depositary or (iv) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.  Upon the occurrence of any event specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, the Company or its agent shall notify the Depositary and instruct the Depositary to notify all owners of beneficial interests in such Global Subordinated Note of the occurrence of such event and of the availability of Subordinated Notes to such owners of beneficial interests requesting the same.

(c) If any Global Subordinated Note is to be exchanged for other Subordinated Notes or canceled in part, or if another Subordinated Note is to be exchanged in whole or in part for a beneficial interest in any Global Subordinated Note, then either (i) such Global Subordinated Note shall be so surrendered for exchange or cancellation as provided in this Section 9 or (ii) the principal amount thereof shall be reduced or increased by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so exchanged or canceled, or equal to the principal amount of such other Subordinated Note to be so exchanged for a beneficial interest therein, as the case may be, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Company or, if applicable, the Company’s registrar and transfer agent (“Registrar”), whereupon the Company or, if applicable, the Registrar, in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary (“Applicable Depositary Procedures”), shall instruct the Depositary or its authorized representative to make a corresponding adjustment to its records.  Upon any such surrender or adjustment of a Global Subordinated Note by the Depositary, accompanied by registration instructions, the Company shall execute and deliver any Subordinated Notes issuable in exchange for such Global Subordinated Note (or any portion thereof) in accordance with the instructions of the Depositary.

(d) Every Subordinated Note executed and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Subordinated Note or any portion thereof shall be executed and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Subordinated Note, unless such Subordinated Note is registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary for such Global Subordinated Note or a nominee thereof.

(e) The Depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of a Global Subordinated Note, shall be the holder of such Global Subordinated Note for all purposes under this Subordinated Note, and owners of beneficial interests in a Global Subordinated Note shall hold such interests pursuant to Applicable Depositary Procedures.  Accordingly, any such owner’s beneficial interest in a Global Subordinated Note

shall be shown only on, and the transfer of such interest shall be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary or its nominee or its Depositary participants.  If applicable, the Registrar shall be entitled to deal with the Depositary for all purposes relating to a Global Subordinated Note (including the payment of principal and interest thereon and the giving of instructions or directions by owners of beneficial interests therein and the giving of notices) as the sole holder of the Subordinated Note and shall have no obligations to the owners of beneficial interests therein.  The Registrar shall have no liability in respect of any transfers affected by the Depositary.

(f) The rights of owners of beneficial interests in a Global Subordinated Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such owners and the Depositary and/or its participants.

(g) No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Subordinated Note held on its behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights with respect to such Global Subordinated Note, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company and any agent of the Company as the owner of such Global Subordinated Note for all purposes whatsoever.  Neither the Company nor any agent of the Company will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Subordinated Note or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company or any agent of the Company from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by a Depositary or impair, as between a Depositary and such holders of beneficial interests, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of the Depositary (or its nominee) as holder of any Subordinated Note.

(h) The Company, within thirty (30) calendar days after the receipt of written notice from the Noteholder or any other holder of the Subordinated Notes of the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to this Note, shall mail to all the Noteholders, at their addresses shown on the Security Register, such written notice of Event of Default.

10. Denominations.  The Subordinated Notes are issuable only in registered form without interest coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

11. Charges and Transfer Taxes.  No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of this Subordinated Note, or any redemption or repayment of this Subordinated Note, or any conversion or exchange of this Subordinated Note for other types of securities or property, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with the transfer or exchange of this Subordinated Note from the Noteholder requesting such transfer or exchange.

12. Payment Procedures.  Payment of the principal and interest payable on the Stated Maturity will be made by check, by wire transfer or by Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer in immediately available funds to a bank account in the United States designated by the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note if such Noteholder shall have previously provided wire instructions to the Company, upon presentation and surrender of this Subordinated Note at the Payment Office (as defined herein) or at such other place or places as the Company shall designate by notice to the Noteholders as the Payment Office, provided that this Subordinated Note is presented to the Company in time for the Company to make such payments in such funds in accordance with its normal procedures.  Payments of interest (other than interest payable on the Stated Maturity) shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds or check mailed to the registered Noteholder of this Subordinated Note, as such person’s address appears on the Security Register (as defined below).  Interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be payable to the Noteholder in whose name this Subordinated Note is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day prior

to the applicable Interest Payment Date, without regard to whether such date is a Business Day, except that interest not paid on the Interest Payment Date, if any, will be paid to the Noteholder in whose name this Subordinated Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date fixed by the Company (a “Special Record Date”), notice of which shall be given to the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note not less than ten (10) calendar days prior to such Special Record Date.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, interest shall accrue, at the rate at which interest accrues on the principal of this Subordinated Note, on any amount of principal or interest on this Subordinated Note not paid when due.  All payments on this Subordinated Note shall be applied first against interest due hereunder; and then against principal due hereunder.  The Noteholder of this Subordinated Note acknowledges and agrees that the payment of all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of this Subordinated Note and all interest hereon shall be pari passu in right of payment and in all other respects to the other Subordinated Notes.  In the event that the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note receives payments in excess of its pro rata share of the Company’s payments to the Noteholders of all of the Subordinated Notes, then the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note shall hold in trust all such excess payments for the benefit of the Noteholders of the other Subordinated Notes and shall pay such amounts held in trust to such other Noteholders upon demand by such Noteholders.

13. Form of Payment.  Payments of principal and interest on this Subordinated Note shall be made in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

14. Registration of Transfer, Security Register.  Except as otherwise provided herein, this Subordinated Note is transferable in whole or in part, and may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes of other authorized denominations, by the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note in person, or by its attorney duly authorized in writing, at the Payment Office. The Subordinated Notes will initially be issued in certificated form. The Company shall maintain a register providing for the registration of the Subordinated Notes and any exchange or transfer thereof (the “Security Register”).  Upon surrender or presentation of this Subordinated Note for exchange or registration of transfer, the Company shall execute and deliver in exchange therefor a Subordinated Note or Subordinated Notes of like aggregate principal amount, each in a minimum denomination of $1,000 or any amount in excess thereof which is an integral multiple of $1,000 (and, in the absence of an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company to the contrary, bearing the restrictive legend(s) set forth hereinabove) and that is or are registered in such name or names requested by the Noteholder.  Any Subordinated Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall be duly endorsed and accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in such form as is attached hereto and incorporated herein, duly executed by the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note or its attorney duly authorized in writing, with such tax identification number or other information for each person in whose name a Subordinated Note is to be issued, and accompanied by evidence of compliance with any restrictive legend(s) appearing on such Subordinated Note or Subordinated Notes as the Company may reasonably request to comply with applicable law.  No exchange or registration of transfer of this Subordinated Note shall be made on or after (i) the fifteenth (15^th) day immediately preceding the Stated Maturity or (ii) the due delivery of notice of redemption.

15. Priority.  The Subordinated Notes rank pari passu among themselves and pari passu, in the event of any insolvency proceeding, dissolution, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, restructuring of debt, marshaling of assets and liabilities or similar proceeding or any liquidation or winding up of the Company, with all other present or future unsecured subordinated debt obligations of the Company, except any unsecured subordinated debt that, pursuant to its express terms, is senior or subordinate in right of payment to the Subordinated Notes and all Senior Indebtedness.

16. Ownership.  Prior to due presentment of this Subordinated Note for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Noteholder in whose name this Subordinated Note is registered in the Security Register as the absolute owner of this Subordinated Note for receiving payments of principal and interest

on this Subordinated Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not this Subordinated Note be overdue, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

17. Waiver and Consent.

(a) Any consent or waiver given by the Noteholder of this Subordinated Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Noteholder and upon all future Noteholders of this Subordinated Note and of any Subordinated Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Subordinated Note.  This Subordinated Note may also be amended or waived pursuant to, and in accordance with, the provisions of Section 7.3 of the Purchase Agreement.  No delay or omission of the holder of this Subordinated Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Any insured depository institution which shall be a holder of this Subordinated Note or which otherwise shall have any beneficial ownership interest in this Subordinated Note shall, by its acceptance of such Subordinated Note (or beneficial interest therein), be deemed to have waived any right of offset with respect to the repayment of the indebtedness evidenced thereby.

(b) No waiver or amendment of any term, provision, condition, covenant or agreement in the Subordinated Notes shall be effective except with the consent of the Noteholders holding not less than more than fifty percent (50%) in aggregate principal amount (excluding any Subordinated Notes held by the Company or any of its Affiliates) of the Subordinated Notes at the time outstanding; provided, however, that without the consent of each Noteholder of an affected Subordinated Note, no such amendment or waiver may:  (i) reduce the principal amount of any Subordinated Note; (ii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Subordinated Note; (iii) extend the maturity of any Subordinated Note; (iv) change the currency in which payment of the obligations of the Company under the Subordinated Notes are to be made; (v) lower the percentage of aggregate principal amount of outstanding Subordinated Notes required to approve any amendment of the Subordinated Notes; (vi) make any changes to Section 5 (Events of Default; Acceleration); Section 6 (Failure to Make Payments); Section 7 (Affirmative Covenants of the Company); or Section 8 (Negative Covenants of the Company) of the Subordinated Notes that adversely affects the rights of any Noteholder; or (vii) disproportionately affect any of the Noteholders of the then outstanding Subordinated Notes.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may amend or supplement the Subordinated Notes without the consent of the Noteholders to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or to provide for uncertificated Subordinated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Subordinated Notes, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Noteholder of any of the Subordinated Notes.  No failure to exercise or delay in exercising, by any Noteholder of the Subordinated Notes, of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right or remedy provided by law, except as restricted hereby.  The rights and remedies provided in this Subordinated Note are cumulative and not exclusive of any right or remedy provided by law or equity.  No notice or demand on the Company in any case shall, in itself, entitle the Company to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the Noteholders to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.  No consent or waiver, expressed or implied, by the Noteholders to or of any breach or default by the Company in the performance of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance of the same or any other obligations of the Company hereunder.  Failure on the part of the Noteholders to complain of any acts or failure to act or to declare an Event of Default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver by the Noteholders of their rights hereunder or impair any rights, powers or remedies on account of any breach or default by the Company.

18. Absolute and Unconditional Obligation of the Company.  No provisions of this Subordinated Note shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal and interest on this Subordinated Note at the times, places and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

19. Successors and Assigns.  This Subordinated Note shall be binding upon the Company and inure to the benefit of the Noteholder and its respective successors and permitted assigns.  The Noteholder may assign all, or any part of, or any interest in, the Noteholder’s rights and benefits hereunder.  To the extent of any such assignment, such assignee shall have the same rights and benefits against the Company and shall agree to be bound by and to comply with the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement as it would have had if it were the Noteholder hereunder.

20. No Sinking Fund; Convertibility.  This Subordinated Note is not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.  This Subordinated Note is not convertible into or exchangeable for any of the equity securities, other securities or assets of the Company or any subsidiary.

21. No Recourse Against Others.  No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Subordinated Note, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, will be had against any past, present or future shareholder, employee, officer, or director, as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor, either directly or through the Company or any predecessor or successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Subordinated Note by the holder of this Subordinated Note and as part of the consideration for the issuance of this Subordinated Note.

22. Notices.  All notices to the Company under this Subordinated Note shall be in writing and addressed to the Company at 238 Richland Avenue Northwest, Aiken, South Carolina 29801, Attention:  J. Chris Verenes, Chief Executive Officer, or to such other address as the Company may provide to the Noteholders (the “Payment Office”).  All notices to the Noteholders shall be in writing and sent by first-class mail to each Noteholder at such Noteholder’s address as set forth in the Security Register.

23. Further Issues.  The Company may, without the consent of the Noteholders of the Subordinated Notes, create and issue additional notes having the same terms and conditions of the Subordinated Notes (except for the Issue Date) so that such further notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with the Subordinated Notes.

24. Governing Law; Interpretation.  THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE WILL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.  THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IS INTENDED TO MEET THE CRITERIA FOR QUALIFICATION OF THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AS TIER 2 CAPITAL UNDER THE REGULATORY GUIDELINES OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE, AND THE TERMS HEREOF SHALL BE INTERPRETED IN A MANNER TO SATISFY SUCH INTENT.

ATTEST:

_______________________________

Name:    Jessica T. Cummins

Title:        Chief Financial Officer

To assign this Subordinated Note, fill in the form below:  (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Subordinated Note to:

 

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and irrevocably appoint _________________________________ as agent to transfer this Subordinated Note on the books of the Company.  The agent may substitute another to act for it.

The undersigned certifies that it [is / is not] an Affiliate of the Company and that, to its knowledge, the proposed transferee [is / is not] an Affiliate of the Company.

In connection with any transfer or exchange of this Subordinated Note occurring prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of original issuance of this Subordinated Note and the last date, if any, on which this Subordinated Note was owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that this Subordinated Note is being:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW:

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Company will refuse to register this Subordinated Note in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5), (6), (7) or (8) is checked, the Company may require, prior to registering any such transfer of this Subordinated Note, in its sole discretion, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company may reasonably request to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF BOX (1) OR (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED:

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Subordinated Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

Date:

Assignee's Signature:

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