8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 10, 2005

ABC Bancorp

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Georgia	0-16181	58-1456434
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification Number)

24 2nd Avenue, S.E., Moultrie, Georgia	31768
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (229) 890-1111

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

(a) On March 10, 2005, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 to Executive Employment Agreement (the “Amendment”) with Edwin W. Hortman, Jr. in recognition of his promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Amendment, which amends the Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Mr. Hortman dated as of December 31, 2003 (the “Employment Agreement”), is effective as of January 1, 2005, and provides that Mr. Hortman shall serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Under the Employment Agreement as originally entered into, Mr. Hortman served as the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer.

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

(a) On March 10, 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company approved and adopted Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, effective as of January 1, 2005. The Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the President of the Company shall also be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and further provide for the appointment of a non-executive Chairman of the Board. Previously, the Bylaws of the Company provided that the Chairman of the Board of the Company was also the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) – (b) Financial Statements and Pro Forma Financial Information. None.

(c)    Exhibits.

3.1	Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.
10.1	Amendment No. 1 to Executive Employment Agreement dated March 10, 2005 between the Company and Edwin W. Hortman, Jr.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

ABC BANCORP
By:	/s/ Edwin W. Hortman, Jr.
	Edwin W. Hortman, Jr.,
	President and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: March 11, 2005

EXHIBIT INDEX

3.1 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.

10.1 Amendment No. 1 to Executive Employment Agreement dated March 10, 2005 between the Company and Edwin W. Hortman, Jr.

EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

BYLAWS

OF

ABC BANCORP

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office shall be in the State of Georgia, County of Colquitt.

Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Georgia as the board of directors may from time to time determine and the business of the corporation may require or make desirable.

ARTICLE II

SHAREHOLDERS MEETINGS

Section 1. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the shareholders of the corporation shall be held at the principal office of the corporation or at such other place in the United States as may be determined by the board of directors, at 10:00 a.m. on the last business day of the fifth month following the close of each fiscal year or at such other time and date prior thereto and following the close of the fiscal year as shall be determined by the board of directors, for the purpose of electing directors and transacting such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders shall be held at the principal office of the corporation or at such other place in the United States as may be designated in the notice of said meetings, upon call of the chairman of the board of directors or the president and shall be called by the president or the secretary when so directed by the board of directors or at the request in writing of shareholders owning at least 50% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereat. Any such request shall state the purpose for which the meeting is to be called.

Section 3. Notice of Meetings. Written notice of every meeting of shareholders, stating the place, date and hour of the meetings, shall be given personally or by mail to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting no less than 10 nor more than 70 days before the date of the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail with first class postage thereon prepaid addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears on the corporation’s record of shareholders. Attendance of a shareholder at a meeting of shareholders shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting and of all objections to the place or time of meeting, or the manner in which it has been called or convened, except when a shareholder attends a meeting solely for the purpose of stating, at the beginning of the meeting, any such objections to the transaction of any business. Notice need not be given to any shareholder who signs a waiver of notice, in person or by proxy, either before or after the meeting.

Section 4. Quorum. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the shareholders except as otherwise provided by statute, by the articles of incorporation, or by these bylaws. If a quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the shareholders, a majority of the shareholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 5. Order of Business. At the annual meeting of shareholders the order of business shall be as follows:

1. Calling meeting to order.

2. Proof of notice of meeting.

3. Reading of minutes of last previous meeting.

4. Reports of officers.

5. Reports of committees.

6. Election of directors.

7. Miscellaneous business.

Section 6. Voting. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of law or of the articles of incorporation, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of the question. Each shareholder shall at every meeting of the shareholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power registered in such shareholder’s name on the books of the corporation, but no proxy shall be voted or acted upon after 11 months from its date, unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

Section 7. Consent of Shareholders. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if all of the shareholders consent thereto in writing, setting forth the action so taken. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of shareholders.

Section 8. List of Shareholders. The corporation shall keep at its registered office or principal place of business, or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, a record of its shareholders, giving their names and addresses and the number, class and series, if any, of the

2

shares held by each. The officer who has charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation shall prepare and make, before every meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, a complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the number and class and series, if any, of shares held by each. The list shall be produced and kept open at the time and place of the meeting and shall be subject to inspection by any shareholder during the whole time of the meeting for the purposes thereof. The said list may be the corporation’s regular record of shareholders if it is arranged in alphabetical order or contains an alphabetical index.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. Powers. Except as otherwise provided by any legal agreement among shareholders, the property, affairs and business of the corporation shall be managed and directed by its board of directors, which may exercise all powers of the corporation and do all lawful acts and things which are not by law, by any legal agreement among shareholders, by the articles of incorporation or by these bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the shareholders.

Section 2. Number, Election, Term and Retirement. (a) The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board shall be not less than seven nor more than 15. The board of directors shall be divided into three classes which shall be as nearly equal in number as is possible. At the first election of directors to such classified board of directors, each Class 1 director shall be elected to serve until the next ensuing annual meeting of shareholders, each Class 2 director shall be elected to serve until the second ensuing annual meeting of shareholders and each Class 3 director shall be elected to serve until the third ensuing annual meeting of shareholders. At each annual meeting of shareholders following the meeting at which the board of directors is initially classified, the number of directors equal to the class whose term expires at the time of such meeting shall be elected to serve until the third ensuing annual meeting of shareholders. In the event of any change in the authorized number of directors, the number of directors in each class shall be adjusted so that thereafter each of the three classes shall be composed, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the authorized number of directors; provided that any change in the authorized number of directors shall not increase or shorten the term of any director, and any decrease shall become effective only as and when the term or terms of office of the class or classes of directors affected thereby shall expire, or a vacancy or vacancies in such class or classes shall occur. The number of directors may be increased or decreased from time to time by the board of directors by amendment of this bylaw, but no decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of an incumbent director. The directors shall be elected by plurality vote at the annual meeting of shareholders, except as hereinafter provided, and each director elected shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation, removal from office or death. Directors shall be natural persons who have attained the age of 18 years, but need not be residents of the State of Georgia or shareholders of the corporation. Employees of subsidiary corporations shall not be eligible to serve as directors. With the exception of Eugene M. Vereen, Jr., each director shall retire at the annual meeting following the date such director attains the age of 70.

(b) Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors may be made at a meeting of shareholders of the corporation either by or at the direction of the board of directors

3

or by any shareholder or record entitled to vote in the election of directors at such meeting who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2(b). A shareholder who desires to nominate a person for election to the board of directors at a meeting of shareholders of the corporation and who is eligible to make such nomination must give timely written notice of the proposed nomination to the secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice given pursuant to this Section 2(b) must be received at the principal executive office of the corporation not less than 120 calendar days in advance of the date which is one year later than the date of the proxy statement of the corporation released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders of the corporation; provided, however, that if no annual meeting of shareholders of the corporation was held in the previous year or if the date of the forthcoming annual meeting of shareholders has been changed by more than 30 calendar days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s proxy statement or if the forthcoming meeting is not an annual meeting of shareholders of the corporation, then to be timely such shareholder’s notice must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the earlier of (i) the day on which notice of the date of the forthcoming meeting was mailed or given to shareholders by or on behalf of the corporation or (ii) the day on which public disclosure of the date of the forthcoming meeting was made by or on behalf of the corporation. Such shareholder’s notice to the secretary of the corporation shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (C) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the corporation which then are beneficially owned by such person, (D) any other information relating to such person that is required by law or regulation to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of directors of the corporation, and (E) such person’s written consent to being named as a nominee for election as a director and to serve as a director if elected and (ii) as to the shareholder giving notice (A) the name and address, as they appear in the stock records of the corporation, of such shareholder, (B) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the corporation which then are beneficially owned by such shareholder, (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such shareholder and each nominee for election as director and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) relating to the nomination proposed to be made by such shareholder, and (D) any other information required by law or regulation to be provided by a shareholder intending to nominate a person for election as a director of the corporation. At the request of the board of directors, any person nominated by or at the direction of the board of directors, for election as director of the corporation shall furnish to the secretary of the corporation the information concerning such nominee which is required to be set forth in a shareholder’s notice of a proposed nomination. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the corporation unless nominated in compliance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2(b). The chairman of a meeting of shareholders of the corporation shall refuse to accept the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2(b), and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.

Section 3. Vacancies. Vacancies on the board of directors and newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of members of the board of directors may be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and a director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class of directors to which such director belongs and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified unless sooner displaced.

4

Section 4. Meetings and Notice. The board of directors of the corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Georgia. Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the board. Special meetings of the board may be called by the chairman of the board or president or by any two directors on one day’s oral, telegraphic or written notice duly given or served on each director personally, or three days, notice deposited, first class postage prepaid, in the United States mail. Such notice shall state a reasonable time, date and place of meeting, but the purpose need not be stated therein. Notice need not be given to any director who signs a waiver of notice either before or after the meeting. Attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, waiver of all objections to the place and time of the meeting, or the manner in which it has been called or convened except when the director states, at the beginning of the meeting, any such objection or objections to the transaction of business.

Section 5. Quorum. At all meetings of the board a majority of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, by the articles of incorporation, or by these bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the board, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

Section 6. Conference Telephone Meeting. Unless the articles or incorporation or these by bylaws otherwise provide, members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by such board, may participate in a meeting of such board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment whereby all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person.

Section 7. Consent of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the articles of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, setting forth the action so taken, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board or committee. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the board.

Section 8. Committees. The board of directors may by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, designate from among its members one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more directors. The board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent member at any meeting of such committee. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation except that it shall have no authority with respect to (1) amending the articles of incorporation or these bylaws; (2) adopting a plan of merger or consolidation; (3) the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the corporation; and (4) a voluntary dissolution of the corporation or a revocation thereof. Such committee may determine its action and may fix the time and places of its meetings, unless otherwise provided by the board of directors. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.

5

Section 9. Removal of Directors. At any shareholders’ meeting with respect to which notice of such purpose has been given, any director may be removed from office, with cause, by the vote of shareholders representing a majority of the issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to vote for the election of directors, and his or her successor may be elected at the same or any subsequent meeting of shareholders; provided that to the extent any vacancy created by such removal is not filled by such an election within 60 days after such removal, the remaining directors shall, by majority vote, fill any such vacancy.

Section 10. Compensation of Directors. Directors shall be entitled to such reasonable compensation for their services as directors or members of any committee of the board, and shall also be entitled to reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred in attending any meeting of the board or any such committee.

Section 11. Chairman of the Board. The board of directors shall elect one of their members to be the chairman of the board. The chairman of the board shall be subject to the control of and may be removed by the board of directors. The chairman of the board shall preside at all meetings of shareholders and the board of directors and shall have such other powers and duties as may be delegated to him or her from time to time by the board of directors.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1. Number. The officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the board of directors and shall be a president, a secretary and a treasurer. The board of directors may also choose one or more vice-presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers. Any number of offices, except the offices of president and secretary, may be held by the same person. The board of directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold office for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the board.

Section 2. Compensation. The salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the board of directors or a committee or officer appointed by the board.

Section 3. Term of Office. Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the board of directors, the principal officers shall be chosen annually by the board at the first meeting of the board following the annual meeting of shareholders of the corporation, or as soon thereafter as is conveniently possible. Subordinate officers may be elected from time to time. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor shall have been chosen and qualified, or until his or her death, resignation or removal.

Section 4. Removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the best interest of the corporation will be served thereby.

Section 5. Vacancies. Any vacancies in an office resulting from any cause may be filled by the board of directors.

6

Section 6. Powers and Duties. Except as hereinafter provided, the officers of the corporation shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, as well as such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the board of directors.

(a) President. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation, shall have general and active management of the business of the corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect. In the absence of the chairman of the board, the president shall preside at all meetings of shareholders and the board of directors. The president shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation.

(b) Vice-President. In the absence of the president, or in the event of the president’s inability or refusal to act, the vice-president (or in the event there be more than one vice-president, the vice-presidents in the order designated, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president. The vice presidents shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.

(c) Secretary. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the board of directors and all meetings of the shareholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the corporation and of the board of directors in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the shareholders and special meetings of the board of directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or the president, under whose supervision he shall be. The secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the corporation, and the secretary, or an assistant secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such assistant secretary. The board of directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the corporation and to attest the affixing by such officer’s signature.

(d) Assistant Secretary. The assistant secretary, or if there be more than one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the board of directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election), shall, in the absence of the secretary or in the event of the secretary’s inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.

(e) Treasurer. The treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the board of directors. The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and the board of

7

directors, at its regular meetings, or when the board of directors so requires, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation. If required by the board of directors, the treasurer shall give the corporation a bond (which shall be renewed every six years) in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the board of directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his or her office and for the restoration to the corporation, in case of his or her death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his or her possession or under his or her control belonging to the corporation.

(f) Assistant Treasurer. The assistant treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the board of directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the treasurer or in the event of the treasurer’s inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.

Section 7. Voting Securities of Corporation. Unless otherwise ordered by the board of directors, the president shall have full power and authority on behalf of the corporation to attend and to act and vote at any meetings of security holders of corporations in which the corporation may hold securities, and at such meetings shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities which the corporation might have possessed and exercised if it had been present. The board of directors by resolution from time to time may confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

ARTICLE V

CERTIFICATE

Section 1. Form of Certificate. Every holder of fully-paid stock in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate in such form as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe.

Section 2. Lost Certificate. The board of directors may direct that a new certificate be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the corporation and alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the board of directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Section 3. Transfers.

(a) Transfers of shares of the capital stock of the corporation shall be made only on the books of the corporation by the registered holder thereof, or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney, or with a transfer clerk or transfer agent appointed as provided in Section 5 of this

8

Article, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed and the payment of all taxes thereon.

(b) The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and for all other purposes, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.

(c) Shares of capital stock may be transferred by delivery of the certificates thereof, accompanied either by an assignment in writing on the back of the certificates or by separate written power of attorney to sell, assign and transfer the same, signed by the record holder thereof, or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney-in-fact, but no transfer shall affect the right of the corporation to pay any dividend upon the stock to the holder of record as the holder in fact thereof for all purposes, and no transfer shall be valid, except between the parties thereto, until such transfer shall have been made upon the books of the corporation as herein provided.

(d) The board may, from time to time, make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem expedient, not inconsistent with these by-laws or the articles of incorporation, concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of the capital stock of the corporation.

Section 4. Record Date. In order that the corporation may determine that shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than 70 days and, in case of a meeting of shareholders, not less than 10 days prior to the date on which the particular action requiring such determination of shareholders is to be taken. If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of shareholders, the record date shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. If no record date is fixed for other purposes, the record date shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the board of directors shall fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Section 5. Transfer Agent and Registrar. The board of directors may appoint one or more transfer agents or one or more transfer clerks and one or more registrars, and may require all certificates of stock to bear the signature or signatures of any of them. The stock certificates of the corporation shall be issued or reissued under the signature of the president or chairman of the board attested to by the secretary or chairman of the board. The secretary or assistant secretary of the corporation are designated as transfer agents for the corporation.

9

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the articles of incorporation, if any, may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or special meetings, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the corporation’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of the articles of incorporation. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

Section 2. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors.

Section 3. Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal” and “Georgia”. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise. In the event it is inconvenient to use such a seal at any time, the signature of the corporation followed by the work “Seal” enclosed in parentheses shall be deemed the seal of the corporation.

Section 4. Annual Statements. Not later than four months after the close of each fiscal year, and in any case prior to the next annual meeting of shareholders, the corporation shall prepare:

(1) A balance sheet showing in reasonable detail the financial conditions of the corporation as of the close of its fiscal year, and

(2) A profit and loss statement showing the results of its operations during its fiscal year. Upon written request, the corporation promptly shall mail to any shareholder of record a copy of the most recent such balance sheet and profit and loss statement.

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 1. Right of Indemnification and Standards of Conduct. Every person (and the heirs and legal representatives of such person) who is or was a director or officer of this corporation or any other corporation of which he or she served as such at the request of this corporation and of which this corporation directly or indirectly is a shareholder or creditor, or in which or in the stocks, bonds, securities or other obligations of which it is in any way interested, may in accordance with Section 2 thereof be indemnified for any liability and expense that may be incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceedings whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (whether brought by or in the right of this corporation or otherwise), or in connection with any appeal relating thereto, in which he or she may become involved, as a party or prospective party

10

or otherwise, by reason of any action taken or not taken in his or her capacity as such director or officer or as a member of any committee appointed by the board of directors of this corporation to act for, in the interest of, or on behalf of this corporation, whether or not he or she continues to be such at the time such liability or expense shall have been incurred; provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of this corporation and, in addition, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, did not have reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. As used in this Article, the terms “liability” and “expense” shall include, but shall not be limited to, counsel fees and disbursements and amounts of judgments, fines or penalties, and amounts paid in compromise or settlement by a director or officer. The termination of any claim, action, suit or proceeding, by judgment, order, compromise, settlement (with or without court approval) or conviction or upon a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that a director or officer did not meet the standards of conduct set forth in this Section.

Section 2. Determination of Right of Indemnification. Every person (and the heirs and legal representatives of such person) referred to in Section 1 hereof who has been wholly successful, or the merits or otherwise, with the respect to claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described in Section 1 hereof shall be entitled to indemnification as of right without any further action or approval by the board of directors. Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, any indemnification under Section 1 next above shall be made at the discretion of this corporation, but only if (a) the board of directors, acting by majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such claim, action, suit or proceeding, present or voting, shall find that the director or officer has met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 hereof, or (b) if no such quorum of the board exists, independent legal counsel selected by any Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Thomasville Division, at the request of either the corporation or the person seeking indemnification, shall deliver to the corporation their written opinion that such director or officer has met such standards, or (c) the holders of a majority of stock then entitled to vote for the election of directors shall determine by affirmative vote that such director or officer has met such standards.

No director of the corporation shall be personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of such person’s duty of care or other duty as a director; provided that this provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director only to the maximum extent permitted from time to time by the Georgia Business Corporation Code or any successor law or laws.

Any repeal or modification of the Bylaws by the shareholders of the corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the corporation existing a the time of such repeal or modification.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no officer or director who was or is a party to any action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer or director of this or such other corporation shall be indemnified in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to this corporation unless and except to the extent that the Court in which such action or suit was

11

brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability and in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the Court shall deem proper.

Section 3. Advance of Expenses. Expenses incurred with respect to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described in Section 1 of this Article VII may be advanced by the corporation prior to the final disposition thereof upon receipt of any undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is entitled to indemnification under this Article.

Section 4. Rights of Indemnification Cumulative. The rights of indemnification provided in this Article VII shall be in addition to any rights to which any such director or officer or other person may otherwise be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders, or otherwise, and shall be in addition to the power of the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any such director or officer or other person against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, regardless of whether the corporation would have the power to indemnify against such liability under this Article or otherwise.

Section 5. Statement to Shareholders. If any expenses or other amounts are paid by way of indemnification, otherwise than by court order or action by shareholders or by an insurance carrier pursuant to insurance maintained by the corporation, the corporation shall, not later than the next annual meeting of shareholders unless such meeting is held within three months from the date of such payment, and, in any event, within 15 months from the date of such payment, send by first class mail to its shareholders of record at the time entitled to vote for the election of directors a statement specifying the persons paid, the amounts paid, and the nature and status at the time of such payment of the litigation or threatened litigation.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

The board of directors shall have power to alter, amend or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws by majority vote of all of the directors, but any bylaws adopted by the board of directors may be altered, amended or repealed and new bylaws adopted, by the shareholders by majority vote of all of the shares having voting power.

* * * * *

12

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Amendment”) is made and entered into this 10th day of March, 2005, to be effective as of January 1, 2005, by and between ABC BANCORP, a Georgia corporation (“Employer”), and EDWIN W. HORTMAN, JR., an individual resident of the State of Georgia (“Executive”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Employer and Executive have entered into that certain Executive Employment Agreement dated as of December 31, 2003 (the “Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, Employer and Executive wish to amend the Agreement as provided herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements herein, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Amendments to Agreement. The Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

(a) Section 1 of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such section in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

“1. Employment. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Employer employs Executive as its President and Chief Executive Officer, and Executive hereby accepts such employment.”

(b) The first sentence of Section 2 of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such sentence in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

“Executive agrees to serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Employer as set forth in Section 1 hereof and to perform such duties as may reasonably be assigned to him by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Employer; provided, however, that such duties shall be of the same character as those generally associated with the office held by Executive.”

(c) The first sentence of Section 4(A) of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such sentence in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

“Executive shall receive an annual salary of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) (“Base Compensation”) payable at regular intervals in accordance with Employer’s normal payroll practices now or hereafter in effect.”

SECTION 2. Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgements. Each party hereto represents, warrants and acknowledges to the other party hereto that (a) no interest in the Agreement has been sold, hypothecated, assigned or otherwise transferred by such party, and there are no defaults by such party under the Agreement as of the date hereof; and (b) except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, such party did not rely and has not relied upon any representation, warranty, acknowledgement or statement made by such other party or by any of such other party’s agents, representatives or attorneys with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect of this Amendment.

SECTION 3. Effect on Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Agreement shall not be amended and shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 4. Binding Effect; Headings. The covenants contained herein shall bind, and the benefits hereof shall inure to, the respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns, as the case may be, of the parties hereto. The Section headings contained in this Amendment are for reference purposes only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Amendment.

SECTION 5. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.

SECTION 6. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, and all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Executed counterparts may be delivered via facsimile transmission.

[Signature Page Follows]

2

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive has executed and delivered this Amendment, and Employer has caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer, all as of the day and year first above written.

/s/ Edwin W. Hortman, Jr.
EDWIN W. HORTMAN, JR.
ABC BANCORP
By:	/s/ Cindi H. Lewis
	Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary

3