EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated as of this 17th day of December, 2008 and effective December 31, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), by and between National Bankshares, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), and F. Brad Denardo (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by the Company and has entered into that certain change in control agreement dated as of January 8, 2003 with the Company (the “Change in Control Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Company considers the continued availability of the Executive’s services to be important to the management and conduct of the Company’s business and desires to secure the continued availability of Executive’s services; and

WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to continue to make his services available to the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive now desire to terminate the Change in Control Agreement as of the Effective Date and to provide change in control protection to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement and to comply with applicable provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

WHEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

1.        Employment and Duties . The Executive shall continue his employment by the Company as its Executive Vice President and Treasurer, reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Executive accepts such continued employment and agrees to perform the managerial duties and responsibilities traditionally associated with the positions of Executive Vice President and Treasurer of the Company. The Executive agrees to devote his time and attention on a full-time basis to the discharge of such duties and responsibilities of an executive nature as may be reasonably assigned his by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Executive shall also serve in any position or office of an executive or management nature with one or more of the Affiliated Companies as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Board of Directors of any such Affiliated Company may determine. The Executive may accept any elective or appointed positions or offices with any duly recognized associations or organizations whose activities or purposes are closely related to the financial services business which the Executive reasonably believes would generate good will for the Company and its Affiliated Companies. The term “Affiliated Companies” includes any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.

2.          Term . The term of this Agreement shall commence only at the Effective Date and shall continue for a two-year period, unless terminated or extended as hereinafter provided (collectively with any renewal or extended periods provided for herein, the “Term”). This Agreement shall be extended for successive one-year periods following the then-current Term unless either party notifies the other in writing at least one year prior to the end of the then-current Term that the Agreement shall not be extended beyond the current Term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, provisions of this Agreement which provide for rights and/or obligations which extend beyond the Term shall be and remain in full force and effect as shall be necessary to effectuate them fully.

(a)         Base Salary . Beginning on the Effective Date, the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary at the annual rate of not less than $220,000 (as adjusted from time to time as hereinafter provided, “Base Salary”). The Base Salary shall be paid to the Executive in accordance with established payroll practices of the Company but not less than monthly. The Company agrees to review the Executive’s Base Salary in December of each year during the Term of this Agreement and to consider in good faith implementing an increase in the Base Salary for the next following Company Fiscal Year as it may deem appropriate (each period from January 1 to December 31 during the Term is a “Company Fiscal Year”); provided, however, the Base Salary shall not be reduced at any time.

(b)         Other Compensation Benefits . Unless substantially duplicative of rights provided the Executive under this Agreement, the Executive may participate in any annual incentive plan, executive deferred compensation plan, savings or savings opportunities made generally available in the ordinary course of business to other senior executives of the Company and its Affiliated Companies. The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall make a good faith determination as to whether the plans are substantially duplicative. All benefits under the above plans and agreements shall be payable in accordance with the terms of such plans and agreements, as amended from time to time.

(c)         Welfare Benefits . The Executive shall be eligible to participate in any plans, programs or benefits made generally available in the ordinary course of business to other senior executives of the Company and its Affiliated Companies,

including, without limitation, group medical, dental, death, disability and life insurance, and sick leave and any other welfare benefit plans as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA in accordance with their terms (“Welfare Plans” and the benefits provided thereunder “Welfare Benefits”).

(d)         Executive Benefits . The Company will pay or provide the following executive benefits to the Executive (“Executive Benefits”): The Company will pay the Executive’s country club dues in a reasonable amount; the Company will provide the Executive with an appropriate automobile or automobile allowance in a reasonable amount; and the Executive shall also receive annual reimbursement for certain personal benefits approved by the Board in a reasonable amount and in furtherance of a proper corporate purpose. These personal benefits shall include seats at sporting events. In addition, the Company shall reimburse the Executive promptly, upon presentation of adequate substantiation, including receipts, for the reasonable travel, entertainment, lodging and other business expenses incurred by the Executive (all of the foregoing in this Section, “Executive Benefits”).

(e)         Retirement Benefits . The Executive shall be entitled to participate in National Bankshares Retirement Income Plan (or any successor or substitute plan or plans of the Company (“Retirement Plan”) and receive all of the benefits thereof (“Retirement Benefits”) in accordance with the terms of such plans, as amended from time to time.

4.          Termination of Employment . Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated in the following ways: death of the Executive; Long Term Incapacity of the Executive; With Cause by the Company; Without Cause by the Company; by the Executive for Good Reason; by the Executive for Other than Good Reason; and Retirement.

(i)          Accrued Obligations . “Accrued Obligations” are the sum of: (A) the Executive’s Base Salary through the Date of Termination at the rate in effect immediately prior to the time a Notice of Termination is given; (B) the amount, if any, of any incentive or bonus compensation theretofore earned which has not yet been paid including; and (C) any other benefits or awards (including both the cash and stock components) which pursuant to the terms of any plans, policies or programs have been earned or become payable, but which have not yet been paid to the Executive (but not including amounts that previously had been deferred at the Executive’s request, which amounts will be paid in accordance with the Executive’s existing directions). Unless otherwise specified hereunder, Accrued Obligations shall be paid in a lump sum in cash (or in the case of a stock-based award in the mode of the award) within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if payment of any such amounts at such time would result in a prohibited acceleration under Section 409A of the Code, then such amount shall be paid at the time the amount would otherwise have been paid under the applicable plan, policy, program or arrangement relating to such amount absent such prohibited acceleration.

(ii)         Executive Continuance Benefit . Executive Continuance Benefit is a continuation of all Welfare and Executive Benefits on a monthly basis which the Executive or his dependents were receiving immediately prior to the Date of Termination for a certain amount of time as described herein, provided that the continued receipt of the Executive or dependents is possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans and programs as then in effect. The Company will pay all or a portion of the cost of the Executive Continuance Benefit for the Executive and his dependents on the same basis as applicable immediately prior to the Date of Termination or, if more favorable, to the Executive or his dependants, on the same basis as paid with respect to peer executives of the Company and its Affiliated Companies under comparable plans and programs, from time to time after the Date of Termination. If participation in any one or more of the plans or programs included in the Executive Continuance Benefit is not possible under the terms thereof or any provision of law would create an adverse tax effect for the Executive or the Company due to such participation, the Company, at its sole discretion, may choose to either (A) provide substantially identical benefits directly or through an insurance arrangement or (B) pay the Executive on a monthly basis the estimated cost of maintaining such plans for the Executive for the remaining period of the Executive Continuance Benefit. A lump sum payment of such amount shall be made, if the Executive is not living, to the Executive’s estate or to one or more beneficiaries designated in writing by the Executive to the Company within thirty (30) days after Executive’s death. The Executive Continuance Benefit will cease if and when the Executive has obtained coverage under one or more benefit plans of a subsequent employer that provides for equal or greater benefits to the Executive and his dependents with respect to the specific type of benefit. The Executive or his dependents will become eligible for COBRA continuation coverage as of the date the Executive Continuance Benefit ceases for all health and dental benefits.

(iii)        Notice of Termination . “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon.

(iv)        Date of Termination . “Date of Termination” means (A) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company With Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (B) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company Without Cause or by Executive

for Other than Good Reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which shall not be less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days from the date such Notice of Termination is given), and (C) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Long Term Incapacity, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given, provided that the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of his duties during such thirty (30) day period.

(b)         Death . The Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death. The Executive’s survivors, designees or estate shall receive any Accrued Obligations within thirty (30) days after his death; provided, however, that if payment of any such amounts at such time would result in a prohibited acceleration under Section 409A of the Code, then such amount shall be paid at the time the amount would otherwise have been paid under the applicable plan, policy, program or arrangement relating to such amount absent such prohibited acceleration.

(c)        (i)           Incapacity . Upon a Determination of Long Term Incapacity (as hereinafter defined) the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment under this Agreement upon thirty (30) days’ written notice provided that, within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of his assigned duties.

(ii)         Determination of Long Term Incapacity . “Determination of Long Term Incapacity” shall mean a good faith determination by the President and Chief Executive Officer that as a result of mental or physical illness or injury the Executive has failed to perform his assigned duties with the Company on a full-time basis for a period exceeding twelve (12) consecutive months after a Determination of Temporary Incapacity.

(iii)        Determination of Temporary Incapacity . “Determination of Temporary Incapacity” shall mean a determination by a physician selected by the Company that the Executive is unable to perform his assigned duties with the Company on a full-time basis as a result of mental or physical illness or injury.

(iv)        Interim Compensation . During the period between a Determination of Temporary Incapacity and a Determination of Long Term Incapacity the Executive shall receive full Base Salary for the first six (6) months of any such period and 60% of Base Salary for any subsequent period prior to a Determination of Long Term Incapacity. The Company will pay for the cost of all physicians’ fees and testing not reimbursed by insurance. The amounts payable to the Executive under this Section shall be reduced by any benefits paid to the Executive pursuant to any disability insurance for which the premiums were paid by the Company (“Company Disability Insurance”).

(v)         Company Obligations . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of a Determination of Long Term Incapacity, the Executive will receive Base Salary through the Date of Termination, and any Accrued Obligations in a lump sum which shall be paid within thirty (30) days after the Determination of Long Term Incapacity; provided, however, that if payment of any such amounts at such time would result in a prohibited acceleration under Section 409A of the Code, then such amount shall be paid at the time the amount would otherwise have been paid under the applicable plan, policy, program or arrangement relating to such amount absent such prohibited acceleration.

(d)        (i)           Termination by Company With Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the term of this Agreement, With or Without Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” or “With Cause” shall mean:

(A)       continual or deliberate neglect by the Executive in the performance of his material duties and responsibilities as established from time to time by the President and Chief Executive Officer, or the Executive’s willful failure to follow reasonable instructions or policies of the Company after being advised in writing of such failure within thirty (30) days of such occurrence and being given no less than sixty (60) days after such notice to remedy such failure;

(B)       conviction of, or entering of a guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to, a felony, a crime of moral turpitude or any other crime with respect to which imprisonment is a possible punishment, or the commission of an act of embezzlement or fraud against the Company or any Affiliated Company;

(C)       any breach by the Executive of a material term of this Agreement, or violation in any material respect of any code or standard of behavior generally applicable to officers of the Company, after being advised in writing of such breach or violation within thirty (30) days of such occurrence and being given no less than sixty (60) days after such notice to remedy such breach or violation;

(D)       material dishonesty of the Executive with respect to the Company or any Affiliated Company, or breach of a fiduciary duty owed to the Company or any Affiliated Company; or

(E)       the willful engaging by the Executive in conduct that is reasonably likely to result, in the good faith judgment of the Company, in material injury to the Company or any Affiliated Company, monetarily or otherwise, after being advised in writing of such conduct within thirty (30) days of such occurrence and being given no less than sixty (60) days after such notice to remedy such conduct.

(ii)         Company Obligations . If the Company terminates Executive’s employment With Cause, employment under this Agreement shall terminate without any further obligation of the Company to the Executive other than to pay to the Executive any Accrued Obligations in a lump sum within thirty (30) days; provided, however, that if payment of any such amounts at such time would result in a prohibited acceleration under Section 409A of the Code, then such amount shall be paid at the time the amount would otherwise have been paid under the applicable plan, policy, program or arrangement relating to such amount absent such prohibited acceleration.

(e)         Termination by Company Without Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the term of this Agreement Without Cause. For purposes hereof, Termination Without Cause shall be any termination of the Executive’s employment which does not occur by virtue of the death or Retirement of the Executive or pursuant to a Determination of Long Term Incapacity, by the Company With Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason or for Other than Good Reason. If, during the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates the Executive’s employment Without Cause, the Company will pay to the Executive in a lump sum within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination an amount equal to any Accrued Obligations (provided, however, that if payment of any such amounts at such time would result in a prohibited acceleration under Section 409A of the Code, then such amount shall be paid at the time the amount would otherwise have been paid under the applicable plan, policy, program or arrangement relating to such amount absent such prohibited acceleration) and shall provide (i) the Executive Continuance Benefits on a monthly basis for twelve (12) months and (ii) an annual Base Salary over a period of twelve (12) months payable in equal monthly installments from the Date of Termination at the highest annual Base Salary in effect at any time during the Term.

(f)        (i)           Termination by Executive for Good Reason . The Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason or for Other than Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the following:

(A)       the material assignme