THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT. THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SOUTH FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES (COLLECTIVELY, “TSFG”) AND EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT HAVE A SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT IS AT-WILL AND VOLUNTARY. THIS MEANS THAT EITHER TSFG OR THE EMPLOYEE CAN TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE AND WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE. THE EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL STATUS OF SUCH EMPLOYEES CANNOT BE ALTERED BY THIS DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER STATEMENT OR REPRESENTATION, BUT CAN ONLY BE CHANGED BY A WRITTEN CONTRACT, WHICH MUST BE SIGNED BY THE APPROPRIATE MEMBER OF TSFG’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

ALL EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE ENTERED INTO OR MAY LATER ENTER INTO SUCH A WRITTEN CONTRACT ARE FURTHER ADVISED THAT THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT AND CANNOT IN ANY WAY ALTER, MODIFY, OR AMEND SUCH A CONTRACT.

ALL EMPLOYEES ARE FURTHER ADVISED THAT THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TSFG AND ITS EMPLOYEES IS NOT MODIFIED IN ANY WAY BY ANY EMPLOYEE'S OWNERSHIP, VESTING, OR OTHER INTEREST OF ANY KIND IN ANY BENEFIT OR ASSET THAT MAY BE PROVIDED OR AWARDED UNDER THIS PLAN.

SOME PROVISIONS OF THIS PLAN MAY BE CONDITIONED UPON CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT WITH TSFG OR MAY OTHERWISE BE RELATED TO THE DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT WITH TSFG. NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PLAN AND A PARTICIPANT'S STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE WITH TSFG SHALL CONSTITUTE AN ALTERATION OF ANY KIND TO THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TSFG AND SUCH PARTICIPANT.

The purpose of the Plan is to give the Company a competitive advantage in attracting, retaining and motivating officers, employees, directors and/or consultants and to provide the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates with a stock plan providing incentives directly linked to the profitability of the Company’s businesses and increases in Company shareholder value.

Certain terms used herein have definitions given to them in the first place in which they are used. In addition, for purposes of the Plan, the following terms are defined as set forth below:

(a) “Affiliate” means a corporation or other entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.

(b) “Award” means a Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Option, Restricted Stock, Performance Unit, or other stock-based award granted pursuant to the terms of the Plan.

(c) “Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing the grant of an Award.

(d) “Award Cycle” means a period of consecutive fiscal years or portions thereof designated by the Committee over which Performance Units are to be earned.

(f) “Cause” means, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, (i) “Cause” as defined in any Individual Agreement to which the Participant is a party, or (ii) if there is no such Individual Agreement or if it does not define Cause: (A) conviction of the Participant for committing a felony under federal law or the law of the state in which such action occurred, (B) dishonesty in the course of fulfilling the Participant’s employment duties, (C) willful and deliberate failure on the part of the Participant to perform his or her employment duties in any material respect, or (D) prior to a Change in Control, such other events as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall, unless otherwise provided in an Individual Agreement with the Participant have the sole discretion to determine whether “Cause” exists, and its determination shall be final.

(g) “Change in Control” and “Change in Control Price” have the meanings set forth in Sections 11(b) and (c), respectively.

(h) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

(i) “Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

(k) “Common Stock” means common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company.

(l) “Company” means The South Financial Group, Inc., a South Carolina corporation.

(m) “Covered Employee” means a Participant designated prior to the grant of Restricted Stock or Performance Units by the Committee who is or may be a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code in the year in which Restricted Stock or Performance Units are expected to be taxable to such Participant.

(n) “Disability” or “Disabled” .means, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, (i) “Disability” as defined in any Individual Agreement to which the Participant is a party, or (ii) if there is no such Individual Agreement or it does not

define “Disability,” permanent and total disability as determined under the Company’s Long Term Disability Plan applicable to the Participant.

(o) “Early Retirement” means retirement from active employment with the Company, a Subsidiary or Affiliate pursuant to the early retirement provisions of the applicable pension plan of such employer.

(q) “Eligible Individuals” mean directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, and prospective employees and consultants who have accepted offers of employment or consultancy from the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, who are or will be responsible for or contribute to the management, growth or profitability of the business of the Company, or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

(r) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

(s) “Fair Market Value” means, except as otherwise provided by the Committee, as of any given date, the average of the highest and lowest per-share sales prices for a share of Common Stock during normal business hours on the NASDAQ or such other national securities market or exchange as may at the time be the principal market for the Common Stock, or if the shares were not traded on such national securities market or exchange on such date, then on the next preceding date on which such shares of Common Stock were traded, all as reported by such source as the Committee may select.

(t) “Incentive Stock Option” means any Stock Option designated as, and qualified as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(u) “Individual Agreement” means an employment, consulting or similar written agreement between a Participant and the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

(v) “Involuntary Termination” means a Termination of Employment by reason of an Involuntary Termination as defined in an Individual Agreement to which the Participant is a party that is then in effect. If a Participant is not party to an Individual Agreement, or if it does not define “Involuntary Termination,” no Termination of Employment of that Participant shall be considered to be an Involuntary Termination.

(w) “NonQualified Stock Option” means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

(x) “Normal Retirement” means retirement from active employment with the Company, a Subsidiary or Affiliate at or after age 65.

(z) “Outside Director” means a director who qualifies as an “independent director” within the meaning of Rule 4200 of the National Association of Securities Dealers, as an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and as a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

(aa) “Performance Goals” means the performance goals established by the Committee in connection with the grant of Restricted Stock or Performance Units. In the case of Qualified Performance-Based Awards, (i) such goals shall be based on the attainment of specified levels of one or more of the following measures: specified levels of the Company’s stock price, market share, sales, asset quality, non-performing assets, earnings per share, return on equity, costs, operating income, marketing-spending efficiency, return on operating assets, return on assets, core non-interest income and/or levels of cost savingsand (ii) such Performance Goals shall be set by the Committee within the time period prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code and related regulations.

(cc) “Plan” means TSFG Long Term Incentive Plan (formerly known as The South Financial Group, Inc. 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan), as set forth herein and as hereinafter amended from time to time.

(dd) “Qualified Performance-Based Award” means an Award of Restricted Stock or Performance Units designated as such by the Committee at the time of grant, based upon a determination that (i) the recipient is or may be a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code in the year in which the Company would expect to be able to claim a tax deduction with respect to such Restricted Stock or Performance Units and (ii) the Committee wishes such Award to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption.²

(gg) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3, as promulgated by the Commission under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time.

(hh) “Section 162(m) Exemption” means the exemption from the limitation on deductibility imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code that is set forth in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

(kk) “Subsidiary” means any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity during any period in which at least a 50% voting or profits interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any successor to the Company.

(ll) “Termination of Employment” .means the termination of the Participant’s employment with, or performance of services for, the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. An Participant employed by, or performing services for, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate shall also be deemed to incur a Termination of Employment if the Subsidiary or Affiliate ceases to be such a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, as the case may be, and the Participant does not immediately thereafter become an employee of, or service-provider for, the Company or another Subsidiary or Affiliate. Temporary absences from

employment because of illness, vacation or leave of absence and transfers among the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall not be considered Terminations of Employment.

(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee or such other committee of the Board as the Board may from time to time designate (the “Committee”), which shall be composed of not less than three Outside Directors, and shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board, except with respect to Awards to non-employee directors, which shall be administered by the Nominating Committee. All references to the “Committee” with respect to grants to non-employee directors shall refer to the Nominating Committee.

(b) The Committee shall have plenary authority to grant Awards pursuant to the terms of the Plan to Participants.

(ii) To determine whether and to what extent any type of Award is to be granted hereunder;

(iii) To determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(iv) To determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder (including, but not limited to, the Option Price (subject to Section 5(a)), any vesting condition, restriction or limitation (which may be related to the performance of the Participant, the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate) and any vesting acceleration or forfeiture waiver regarding any Award and the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based on such factors as the Committee shall determine;

(v) Subject to the terms of the Plan, including without limitation Section 13, to modify, amend or adjust the terms and conditions of any Award, at any time or from time to time, including but not limited to Performance Goals; provided, however, that the Committee may not adjust upwards the amount payable with respect to a Qualified Performance-Based Award or waive or alter the Performance Goals associated therewith in a manner that would violate Section 162(m) of the Code; and

(vi) To determine under what circumstances an Award may be settled in cash or Common Stock under Sections 5(k), 6(b)(ii) and 8(b)(iv).

(d) The Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable, to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any agreement relating thereto) and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.

(e) The Committee may act only by a majority of its members then in office. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of a stock exchange, the Committee may (i) allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and (ii) delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it, provided that no such delegation may be made that would cause Awards or other transactions under the Plan to cease to be exempt from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or cause an Award designated as a Qualified Performance-Based Award not to qualify for, or to cease to qualify for, the Section 162(m) Exemption. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.

(f) Any determination made by the Committee with respect to any Award shall be made in the sole discretion of the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term of the Plan, at any time thereafter. All decisions made by the Committee or any appropriately delegated officer pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons, including the Company, its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, shareholders and Participants.

(g) Any authority granted to the Committee may also be exercised by the full Board, except to the extent that the grant or exercise of such authority would cause any Award or transaction to become subject to (or lose an exemption under) the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or cause an Award designated as a Qualified Performance-Based Award not to qualify for, or to cease to qualify for, the Section 162(m) Exemption. To the extent that any permitted action taken by the Board conflicts with action taken by the Committee, the Board action shall control.

(a) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered to Participants and their beneficiaries under the Plan shall be 2,500,000. No Participant may be granted Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights covering in excess of 100,000 shares of Common Stock in any calendar year. Shares subject to an Award under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or may be treasury shares. No more than 1,700,000 shares of Restricted Stock may be issued during the term of the Plan.

(b) If any Award is forfeited, or if any Stock Option (or Stock Appreciation Right, if any) terminates, expires or lapses without being exercised, or if any Stock Appreciation Right is exercised for cash, shares of Common Stock subject to such Awards shall again be available for distribution in connection with Awards under the Plan. If the Option Price of any Stock Option or the Strike Price of any Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right is satisfied by delivering shares of Common Stock to the Company (by either actual delivery or by attestation), only the number of shares of Common Stock delivered to the Participant net of the shares of Common Stock delivered to the Company or attested to shall be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum numbers of shares of Common Stock available for delivery under the

Plan. To the extent any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award are not delivered to a Participant because such shares are used to satisfy an applicable tax-withholding obligation, such shares shall not be deemed to have been delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for delivery under the Plan. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Options intended to be Incentive Stock Options shall be 1,900,000 shares.

(c) In the event of any change in corporate capitalization (including, but not limited to, a change in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding), such as a stock split or a corporate transaction, such as any merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, or other distribution of stock or property of the Company (including any extraordinary cash or stock dividend), any reorganization (whether or not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Section 368 of the Code) or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company, the Committee or Board may make such substitution or adjustments in the aggregate number and kind of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, and the maximum limitation upon Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights and other Awards to be granted to any Participant, in the number, kind and Option Price and Strike Price of shares subject to outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, in the number and kind of shares subject to other outstanding Awards granted under the Plan and/or such other equitable substitution or adjustments as it may determine to be appropriate in its sole discretion (including, without limitation, an amount in cash therefor); provided, however, that the number of shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number. Such adjusted Option Price shall also be used to determine the amount payable by the Company upon the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right associated with any Stock Option.

(a) Stock Options may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan and may be of two types: Incentive Stock Options and NonQualified Stock Options. Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve.

(b) The Committee shall have the authority to grant any Participant Incentive Stock Options, NonQualified Stock Options or both types of Stock Options (in each case with or without Stock Appreciation Rights); provided, however, that grants hereunder are subject to the limits on grants set forth in Section 3. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries or parent corporation (within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code). To the extent that any Stock Option is not designated as an Incentive Stock Option or even if so designated does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option on or subsequent to its grant date, it shall constitute a NonQualified Stock Option.

(c) Stock Options shall be evidenced by Award Agreements, the terms and provisions of which may differ. An Award Agreement shall indicate on its face whether it is intended to be an agreement for an Incentive Stock Option or a NonQualified Stock Option. The grant of a Stock Option shall occur on the date the Committee by resolution selects a Participant to receive a grant of a Stock Option, determines the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Stock Option to be granted to such Participant and specifies the terms and provisions of the Stock Option. The Company shall notify a Participant of any grant of a Stock Option, and a written Award Agreement shall be duly executed and delivered by the Company to the Participant. Such agreement or agreements shall become effective upon execution by the Company and the Participant.

(d) Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem desirable:

(i) Option Price. The Committee shall determine the option price per share of Common Stock purchasable under a Stock Option (the “Option Price”). The Option Price per share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Option shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to such Stock Option on the date of grant, other than with respect to Stock Option granted in lieu of foregone compensation, unless the Committee determines otherwise. Except for adjustments pursuant to Section 3(c), in no event may any Stock Option granted under this Plan be amended to decrease the Option Price thereof, cancelled in conjunction with the grant of any new Stock Option with a lower Option Price, or otherwise be subject to any action that would be treated, for accounting purposes, as a “repricing” of such Stock Option, unless such amendment, cancellation, or action is approved by the Company’s shareholders in accordance with applicable law and stock exchange rules.

(ii) Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee, but no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the Stock Option is granted.

(iii) Exercisability. Except as otherwise provided herein, Stock Options shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee. If the Committee provides that any Stock Option is exercisable only in installments, the Committee may at any time waive such installment exercise provisions, in whole or in part, based on such factors as the Committee may determine. In addition, the Committee may at any time accelerate the exercisability of any Stock Option.

(iv) Method of Exercise. Subject to the provisions of this Section 5, Stock Options may be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time during the option term by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Option to be purchased. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Option Price by certified or bank check or such other instrument as the Company may accept. If approved by the Committee, payment, in full or in part, may also be made in the form of unrestricted Common Stock (by delivery of such

shares or by attestation) already owned by the Participant of the same class as the Common Stock subject to the Stock Option (based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Stock Option is exercised); provided, however, that, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the right to make a payment in the form of already owned shares of Common Stock of the same class as the Common Stock subject to the Stock Option may be authorized only at the time the Stock Option is granted and provided, further, that such already owned shares have been held by the Participant for at least six months at the time of exercise or had been purchased on the open market. If approved by the Committee, to the extent permitted by applicable law, payment in full or in part may also be made by delivering a properly executed exercise notice to the Company, together with a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds necessary to pay the Option Price, and, if requested, the amount of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes. To facilitate the foregoing, the Company may enter into agreements for coordinated procedures with one or more brokerage firms. No shares of Common Stock shall be delivered until full payment therefor has been made. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5(m) below, a Participant shall have all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company holding the class or series of Common Stock that is subject to such Stock Option (including, if applicable, the right to vote the shares and the right to receive dividends), when the Participant has given written notice of exercise, has paid in full for such shares and, if requested by the Company, has given the representation described in Section 15(a).

(e) Nontransferability of Stock Options. No Stock Option shall be transferable by the Participant other than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or any other testamentary distribution; or (ii) in the case of a NonQualified Stock Option, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, to such Participant’s children or family members, whether directly or indirectly or by means of a trust or partnership or otherwise. For purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, “family member” shall have the meaning given to such term in General Instructions A.1(a)(5) to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, or any successor thereto. All Stock Options shall be exercisable, subject to the terms of this Plan, only by the Participant, the guardian or legal representative of the Participant, or any person to whom such option is transferred pursuant to this paragraph, it being understood that the term “holder” and “Participant” include such guardian, legal representative and other transferee; provided, however, that Termination of Employment shall continue to refer to the Termination of Employment of the original Participant.

(f) Termination by Death. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant incurs a Termination of Employment by reason of death, any Stock Option held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised, to the extent then exercisable, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine, until the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option, except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, which shall be exercisable for (i) a period of one year from the date of such death or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Incentive Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter.

(g) Termination by Reason of Disability. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant incurs a Termination of Employment by reason of Disability, any Stock Option held by such Participant (or the appointed fiduciary of such Participant) may thereafter be exercised by the Participant (or the appointed fiduciary of such Participant), to the extent it was exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine, for a period of one year (or such other period as the Committee may specify in the Award Agreement) from the date of such Termination of Employment or until the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter; provided, however, that if the Participant dies within such period, any unexercised Stock Option held by such Participant shall, notwithstanding the expiration of such period, continue to be exercisable to the extent to which it was exercisable at the time of death until the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option. In the event of Termination of Employment by reason of Disability, if an Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of the exercise periods that apply for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, such Stock Option will thereafter be treated as a NonQualified Stock Option.

(h) Termination by Reason of Retirement. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant incurs a Termination of Employment by reason of Retirement, any Stock Option held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such Retirement, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine, for a period of one year (or such other period as the Committee may specify in the Award Agreement) from the date of such Termination of Employment or until the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter; provided, however, that if the Participant dies within such period any unexercised Stock Option held by such Participant shall, notwithstanding the expiration of such period, continue to be exercisable to the extent to which it was exercisable at the time of death for until the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option, except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, which shall be exercisable for (i) a period of one year from the date of such death or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Incentive Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter. In the event of Termination of Employment by reason of Retirement, if an Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of the exercise periods that apply for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, such Stock Option will thereafter be treated as a NonQualified Stock Option.

(i) Other Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee: (A) if a Participant incurs a Termination of Employment for Cause, all Stock Options held by such Participant shall thereupon terminate; and (B) if a Participant incurs a Termination of Employment for any reason other than death, Disability, Retirement or for Cause, any Stock Option held by such Participant, to extent it was then exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine, may be exercised for the lesser of three months from the date of such Termination of Employment or the balance of such Stock Option’s term; provided, however, that if the Participant dies within such three-month period, any unexercised Stock Option held by such Participant shall, notwithstanding the expiration of such three-

month period, continue to be exercisable to the extent to which it was exercisable at the time of death until the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option, except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, which shall be exercisable for (i) a period of one year from the date of such death or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Incentive Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter.

(j) Change of Control Termination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, in the event a Participant incurs a Termination of Employment during the 24-month period following a Change in Control other than (i) by the Company for Cause, (ii) by reason of death, (iii) by reason of Disability or (iv) by voluntary resignation other than by reason of an Involuntary Termination, any Stock Option held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine, for (A) the longer of one year from such date of termination or (2) such other period as may be provided in the Plan for such Termination of Employment or as the Committee may provide in the Award Agreement or Individual Agreement, or (B) until expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter. If an Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of the post-termination exercise periods that apply for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, such Stock Option will thereafter be treated as a NonQualified Stock Option.

(k) Cashing Out of Stock Option. On receipt of written notice of exercise, the Committee may elect to cash out all or part of the portion of the shares of Common Stock for which a Stock Option is being exercised by paying the Participant an amount, in cash or Common Stock, equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock over the Option Price times the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option is being exercised on the effective date of such cash-out.

(l) Change in Control Cash-Out. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, during the 60-day period from and after a Change in Control (the “Exercise Period”), if the Committee shall determine at the time of grant or thereafter, a Participant shall have the right, whether or not the Stock Option is fully exercisable and in lieu of the payment of the Option Price for the shares of Common Stock being purchased under the Stock Option and by giving notice to the Company, to elect (within the Exercise Period) to surrender all or part of the Stock Option to the Company and to receive cash, within 30 days of such election, in an amount equal to the amount by which the Change in Control Price per share of Common Stock on the date of such election shall exceed the Option Price per share of Common Stock under the Stock Option (the “Spread”) multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock granted under the Stock Option as to which the right granted under this Section 5(l) shall have been exercised.

(a) Grant and Exercise. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted alone (“Freestanding Stock Appreciation Rights”) or in conjunction with all or part of any Stock Option granted under the Plan (“Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights”).

(b) Terms and Conditions of Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee, including the following:

(i) Relationship to Related Stock Option. A Stock Appreciation Right issued in conjunction with a NonQualified Stock Option may be granted either at or after the time of grant of such Stock Option. A Stock Appreciation Right issued in conjunction with an Incentive Stock Option may be granted only at the time of grant of such Stock Option. Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the Stock Options to which they relate are exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.

(ii) Settlement. Upon the exercise of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares, equal to (A) the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock over the Option Price per share specified in the related Stock Option multiplied by (B) the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which such Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised, with the Committee having the right to determine the form of payment.

(iii) Nontransferability. Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be transferable only to the extent that the underlying Stock Option is transferable pursuant to Section 5(e).

(iv) Method of Exercise. A Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by a Participant by surrendering the applicable portion of the related Stock Option in accordance with procedures established by the Committee. Upon such exercise and surrender, the Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount determined in the manner prescribed by Section 6(b)(ii). Stock Options which have been so surrendered shall no longer be exercisable to the extent the related Stock Appreciation Rights have been exercised. Any Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the related Stock Option.

(c) Terms and Conditions of Freestanding Stock Appreciation Rights. Freestanding Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee, including the following:

(i) Term. The Committee shall determine the stated term of each Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right granted under this Plan.

(ii) Strike Price. Unless provided otherwise by the Committee, the strike price (the “Strike Price”) per share of Common Stock subject to a Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right shall be the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, except with respect to Freestanding Stock Appreciation Rights granted in lieu of foregone compensation. Except for adjustments pursuant to Section 3(c), in no event may any Stock Appreciation Right granted under this Plan be amended to decrease the Strike Price thereof, cancelled in conjunction with the grant of any new Stock Appreciation Right with a lower Strike Price, or otherwise be subject to any action that would be treated, for accounting purposes, as a

“repricing” of such Stock Appreciation Right, unless such amendment, cancellation, or action is approved by the Company’s shareholders in accordance with applicable law and stock exchange rules.

(iii) Exercisability. Except as otherwise provided herein, Freestanding Share Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee, and the Committee may at any time accelerate the exercisability of any Stock Appreciation Right. If the Committee provides that any Stock Appreciation Right is exercisable only in installments, the Committee may at any time waive such installment exercise provisions, in whole or in part, based on such factors as the Committee may determine.

(iv) Settlement. Upon the exercise of a Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares, equal to (A) the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock over the applicable Strike Price multiplied by (B) the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised, with the Committee having the right to determine the form of payment.

(v) Nontransferability. No Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right shall be transferable by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise expressly permitted by the Committee, including, if so permitted, pursuant to a transfer to such Participant’s children or family members, whether directly or indirectly or by means of a trust or partnership or otherwise. For purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, “family member” shall have the meaning given to such term in General Instructions A.1(a)(5) to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and any successor thereto. All Freestanding Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable, subject to the terms of this Plan, only by the Participant, the guardian or legal representative of the Participant, or any person to whom such Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right is transferred pursuant to this paragraph, it being understood that the terms “holder” and “Participant” include such guardian, legal representative and other transferee; provided, however, that the term “Termination of Employment” shall continue to refer to the Termination of Employment of the original Participant.

(vi) Termination by Death. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant incurs a Termination of Employment by reason of death, any Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised, to the extent then exercisable, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine, until the expiration of the stated term of such Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right.

(vii) Termination by Reason of Disability. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant incurs a Termination of Employment by reason of Disability, any Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine, for a period of one year (or such other period as the Committee may specify in the Award Agreement) from the date of such Termination of Employment or until the expiration of the stated term of such Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right, whichever period is the shorter; provided, however, that if the Participant dies within such period, any unexercised Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant shall, notwithstanding the expiration of such period, continue to be exercisable to the extent to which it was exercisable at the time of death until the expiration of the stated term of such Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right.

(viii) Termination by Reason of Retirement. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant incurs a Termination of Employment by reason of Retirement, any Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such Retirement, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine, for a period of one year (or such other period as the Committee may specify in the Award Agreement) from the date of such Termination of Employment or until the expiration of the stated term of such Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right, whichever period is the shorter; provided, however, that if the Participant dies within such period any unexercised Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant shall, notwithstanding the expiration of such period, continue to be exercisable to the extent to which it was exercisable at the time of death until the expiration of the stated term of such Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right.

(ix) Other Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee: (A) if a Participant incurs a Termination of Employment for Cause, all Freestanding Stock Appreciation Rights held by such Participant shall thereupon terminate; and (B) if a Participant incurs a Termination of Employment for any reason other than death, Disability, Retirement or for Cause, any Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant, to extent it was then exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine, may be exercised for the lesser of three months from the date of such Termination of Employment or the balance of such Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right’s term; provided, however, that if the Participant dies within such three-month period, any unexercised Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant shall, notwithstanding the expiration of such three-month period, continue to be exercisable to the extent to which it was exercisable at the time of death until the expiration of the stated term of such Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right.

(x) Change of Control Termination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, in the event a Participant incurs a Termination of Employment during the 24-month period following a Change in Control other than (i) by the Company for Cause, (ii) by reason of death or (iii) by reason of Disability or (iv) by voluntary resignation other than by reason of an Involuntary Termination, any Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine, for (A) the longer of one year from such date of termination or (2) such other period as may be provided in the Plan for such Termination of Employment or as the Committee may provide in the Award Agreement, or (B) until expiration of the stated term of such Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right, whichever period is the shorter.

(xi) Change in Control Cash-Out. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, during the 60-day period from and after a Change in Control (the “Exercise Period”), if the Committee shall determine at the time of grant or thereafter, a holder of a Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right shall have the right, whether or not such Stock Appreciation Right is fully exercisable, to surrender all or part of such Stock Appreciation Right to the Company and to receive cash, within 30 days of such election, in an amount equal to (A) the amount by which the Change in Control Price per share of Common Stock on the date of such election shall exceed the Strike Price under such Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by (B) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right as to which the right granted under this Section 6(c)(xi) shall have been exercised.

(a) Administration. Shares of Restricted Stock may be awarded either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the Participants to whom and the time or times at which grants of Restricted Stock will be awarded, the number of shares to be awarded to any Participant, the conditions for vesting, the time or times within which such Awards may be subject to forfeiture and any other terms and conditions of the Awards, in addition to those contained in Section 7(c).

(b) Awards and Certificates. Shares of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of one or more stock certificates. Any certificate issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock shall be registered in the name of such Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award, substantially in the following form:

“The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) of The South Financial Group, Inc. 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan and an Award Agreement. Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on file at the offices of The South Financial Group, 102 S. Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601.”

The Committee may require that the certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and that, as a condition of any Award of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have delivered a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Common Stock covered by such Award.

(i) The Committee may, prior to or at the time of grant, designate an Award of Restricted Stock as a Qualified Performance-Based Award, in which event it shall condition the grant or vesting, as applicable, of such Restricted Stock upon the attainment of Performance Goals. If the Committee does not designate an Award of Restricted Stock as a Qualified Performance-Based Award, it may also condition the grant or vesting thereof upon the attainment of Performance Goals. Regardless of whether an Award of Restricted Stock is a Qualified Performance-Based Award, the Committee may also condition the grant or vesting thereof upon the continued service of the Participant. The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of Restricted Stock Awards (including without limitation any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each recipient. The Committee may at any time, in its sole discretion, accelerate or waive, in whole or in part, any of the foregoing restrictions; provided, however, that in the case of Restricted Stock that is a Qualified Performance-Based Award, the applicable Performance Goals have been satisfied.

(ii) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the Award Agreement referred to in Section 7(c)(vi), during the period, if any, set by the Committee, commencing with the date of such Award for which such Participant’s continued service is required (the “Restriction Period”), and until the later of (A) the expiration of the Restriction Period and (B) the date the applicable Performance Goals (if any) are satisfied, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber shares of Restricted Stock; provided that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the foregoing shall not prevent a Participant from pledging Restricted Stock as security for a loan, the sole purpose of which is to provide funds to pay the Option Price for Stock Options.

(iii) Except as provided in this paragraph (iii) and Sections 7(c)(i) and 7(c)(ii) and the Award Agreement, the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company holding the class or series of Common Stock that is the subject of the Restricted Stock, including, if applicable, the right to vote the shares and the right to receive any cash dividends. If so determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement and subject to Section 15(e) of the Plan, (A) cash dividends on the class or series of Common Stock that is the subject of the Restricted Stock Award shall be automatically deferred and reinvested in additional Restricted Stock, held subject to the vesting of the underlying Restricted Stock, or held subject to meeting Performance Goals applicable only to dividends, and (B) dividends payable in Common Stock shall be paid in the form of Restricted Stock of the same class as the Common Stock with which such dividend was paid, held subject to the vesting of the underlying Restricted Stock, or held subject to meeting Performance Goals applicable only to dividends.

(iv) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or Section 7(c)(i), 7(c)(ii), 7(c)(v) or 11(a)(ii), upon a Participant’s Termination of Employment for any reason during the Restriction Period or before the applicable Performance Goals are satisfied, all shares still subject to restriction shall be forfeited by the Participant; provided, however, that the Committee shall have the discretion to waive, in whole or in part, any or all remaining restrictions (other than, in the case of Restricted Stock with respect to which a Participant is a Covered Employee, satisfaction of the applicable Performance Goals unless the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability by the

Company without Cause or by the Participant for “Good Reason” (as defined in any applicable Individual Agreement)) with respect to any or all of such Participant’s shares of Restricted Stock.

(v) If and when any applicable Performance Goals are satisfied and the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Restricted Stock, unlegended certificates for such shares shall be delivered to the Participant upon surrender of the legended certificates.

(vi) Each Award shall be confirmed by, and be subject to, the terms of an Award Agreement.

(a) Administration. Performance Units may be awarded either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the Participants to whom and the time or times at which Performance Units shall be awarded, the number of Performance Units to be awarded to any Participant), the duration of the Award Cycle and any other terms and conditions of the Award, in addition to those contained in Section 8(b).

(b) Terms and Conditions. Performance Units Awards shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(i) The Committee may, prior to or at the time of the grant, designate Performance Units as Qualified Performance-Based Awards, in which event it shall condition the settlement thereof upon the attainment of Performance Goals. If the Committee does not designate Performance Units as Qualified Performance-Based Awards, it may also condition the settlement thereof upon the attainment of Performance Goals. Regardless of whether Performance Units are Qualified Performance-Based Awards, the Committee may also condition the settlement thereof upon the continued service of the Participant. The provisions of such Awards (including without limitation any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each recipient. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the Award Agreement referred to in Section 8(b)(v), Performance Units may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered during the Award Cycle. No more than 250,000 shares of Common Stock may be subject to Qualified Performance Based Awards granted to any Eligible Individual in any fiscal year of the Company.

(ii) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or Section 8(b)(ii) or 11(a)(iii), upon a Participant’s Termination of Employment for any reason during the Award Cycle or before any applicable Performance Goals are satisfied, all rights to receive cash or stock in settlement of the Performance Units shall be forfeited by the Participant; provided, however, that the Committee shall have the discretion to waive, in whole or in part, any or all remaining payment limitations (other than, in the case of Performance Units that are Qualified Performance-Based Awards, satisfaction of the applicable Performance Goals unless the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability by the Company without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason) with respect to any or all of such Participant’s Performance Units.

(iii) At the expiration of the Award Cycle, the Committee shall evaluate the Company’s performance in light of any Performance Goals for such Award, and shall determine the number of Performance Units granted to the Participant which have been earned, and the Committee shall then cause to be delivered (A) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Performance Units determined by the Committee to have been earned, or (B) cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such number of shares of Common Stock to the Participant, as the Committee shall elect.

(iv) Each Award shall be confirmed by, and be subject to, the terms of an Award Agreement.

At the time an Award is made hereunder or at any time thereafter, the Committee may grant to the Participant receiving such Award the right to receive a cash payment in an amount specified by the Committee, to be paid at such time or times (if ever) as the Award results in compensation income to the Participant, for the purpose of assisting the Participant to pay the resulting taxes, all as determined by the Committee and on such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.

Other Awards of Common Stock and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based upon, Common Stock, including (without limitation) dividend equivalents and convertible debentures, may be granted either alone or in conjunction with other Awards granted under the Plan.

(a) Impact of Event. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in any Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control:

(i) Any Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding as of the date such Change in Control, and which are not then exercisable and vested, shall become fully exercisable and vested.

(ii) The restrictions applicable to any Restricted Stock shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall become free of all restrictions and become fully vested.

(iii) All Performance Units shall be considered to be earned and payable in full, and any restriction shall lapse and such Performance Units shall be settled in cash as promptly as is practicable.

(b) Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of the Plan, a “Change in Control” shall mean the happening of any of the following events:

(i) An acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the

Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (1) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (2) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); excluding, however, the following: (1) Any acquisition directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so converted was itself acquired directly from the Company, (2) Any acquisition by the Company, (3) Any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any entity controlled by the Company, or (4) Any acquisition pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (1), (2) and (3) of subsection (iii) of this Section 11(b) ; or

(ii) A change in the composition of the Board such that the individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (such Board shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, for purposes of this Section 11(b), that any individual who becomes a member of the Board subsequent to the Effective Date, whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board and who were also members of the Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this proviso) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; but, provided, further, that any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board shall not be so considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; or

(iii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (“Corporate Transaction”); excluding, however, such a Corporate Transaction pursuant to which (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who are the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock, and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (2) no Person (other than the Company, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction) will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction or the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Corporate Transaction, and (3) individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board will constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction; or

(iv) The approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

(c) Change in Control Price. For purposes of the Plan, “Change in Control Price” means the higher of (i) the highest reported sales price, regular way, of a share of Common Stock in any transaction reported on the Nasdaq (or such other national securities market or exchange as may at the time be the principal market for the Common Stock) during the 60-day period prior to and including the date of a Change in Control or (ii) if the Change in Control is the result of a tender or exchange offer or a Corporate Transaction, the highest price per share of Common Stock paid in such tender or exchange offer or Corporate Transaction; provided, however, that in the case of Incentive Stock Options and Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights relating to Incentive Stock Options, the Change in Control Price shall be in all cases the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date such Incentive Stock Option or Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is exercised. To the extent that the consideration paid in any such transaction described above consists all or in part of securities or other noncash consideration, the value of such securities or other noncash consideration shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board.

Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee shall have the authority under the Plan to provide in any Award Agreement that in the event of serious misconduct by a Participant (including, without limitation, any misconduct prejudicial to or in conflict with the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any Termination of Employment for Cause), or any activity of a Participant in competition with the business of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, any outstanding Award granted to such Participant shall be cancelled, in whole or in part, whether or not vested or deferred. The determination of whether a Participant has engaged in a serious breach of conduct or any activity in competition with the business of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate shall be determined by the Committee in good faith and in its sole discretion. This Section 12 shall have no application following a Change in Control.

The Plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Under the Plan, Awards outstanding as of such date shall not be affected or impaired by the termination of the Plan.

The Board may amend, alter, or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of a Participant under a Stock Option or a recipient of a Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Performance Unit Award or other Award theretofore granted without the Participant’s or recipient’s consent, except such an amendment made to comply with applicable law, stock exchange rules or accounting rules. In addition, no such amendment shall be made without the approval of the Company’s shareholders to the extent such approval is required by applicable law or stock exchange rules.

The Committee may amend the terms of any Stock Option or other Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but no such amendment shall cause a Qualified Performance-Based Award to cease to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption or impair the rights of any holder without the holder’s consent except such an amendment made to cause the Plan or Award to comply with applicable law, stock exchange rules or accounting rules.

Subject to the above provisions, the Board shall have authority to amend the Plan to take into account changes in law and tax and accounting rules as well as other developments, and to grant Awards which qualify for beneficial treatment under such rules without shareholder approval.

It is presently intended that the Plan constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. The Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver Common Stock or make payments; provided, however, that unless the Committee otherwise determines, the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan.

(a) Representation. The Committee may require each person purchasing or receiving shares pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to the distribution thereof. The certificates for such shares may include any legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or agreements made pursuant thereto, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock under the Plan prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:

(i) Listing or approval for listing upon notice of issuance, of such shares on NASDAQ, or such other securities exchange as may at the time be the principal market for the Common Stock;

(ii) Any registration or other qualification of such shares of the Company under any state or federal law or regulation, or the maintaining in effect of any such registration or other qualification which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion upon the advice of counsel, deem necessary or advisable; and

(iii) Obtaining any other consent, approval, or permit from any state or federal governmental agency which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion after receiving the advice of counsel, determine to be necessary or advisable.

(b) No Limit of Other Arrangements. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements for its employees.

(c) Time of Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, any Award under this Plan shall be paid or distributed to a Participant no later than March 15 following the calendar year during which the Participant has a vested right to such award.

(d) Tax Withholding. No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible in the gross income of the Participant for federal income tax purposes with respect to any Award under the Plan, the Participant shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount. Unless otherwise determined by the Company, withholding obligations may be settled with Common Stock, including Common Stock that is part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement; provided, that not more than the legally required minimum withholding may be settled with Common Stock. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company and its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to the Participant. The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, for the settlement of withholding obligations with Common Stock.

(e) Dividends. Reinvestment of dividends in additional Restricted Stock at the time of any dividend payment shall only be permissible if sufficient shares of Common Stock are available under Section 3 for such reinvestment (taking into account then outstanding Stock Options and other Awards).

(f) Death Beneficiary. The Committee shall establish such procedures as it deems appropriate for a Participant to designate a beneficiary to whom any amounts payable in the event of the Participant’s death are to be paid or by whom any rights of the Participant, after the Participant’s death, may be exercised.

(g) Subsidiary Employees. In the case of a grant of an Award to any employee of a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company may, if the Committee so directs, issue or transfer the shares of Common Stock, if any, covered by the Award to the Subsidiary, for such lawful consideration as the Committee may specify, upon the condition or understanding that the Subsidiary will transfer the shares of Common Stock to the employee in accordance with the terms of the Award specified by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. All shares of Common Stock underlying Awards that are forfeited or canceled should revert to the Company.

(h) Governing Law. The Plan and all Awards made and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.

(i) Nontransferability. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5(e) or 6(b)(iii) or by the Committee, Awards under the Plan are not transferable except by will or by laws of descent and distribution.

(j) In the event an Award is granted to Participant who is employed or providing services outside the United States and who is not compensated from a payroll maintained in the United States, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the provisions of the Plan as they pertain to such individual to comply with applicable foreign law.

The Plan shall be effective as of the date (the “Effective Date”), provided that it is approved by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and stock exchange rules and listing standards.

This Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement” or this “Award”) is made as of April 26, 2007 (the “Grant Date”), by and between The South Financial Group, Inc. (the "Company") and ____________________ (the “Participant”). Where the context permits, the term “Company” shall include its subsidiaries.

THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT. THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTICIPANT AND THE COMPANY (UNLESS THERE IS A SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT) IS AT-WILL AND VOLUNTARY. THIS MEANS THAT EITHER THE COMPANY OR THE PARTICIPANT CAN TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE AND WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE. THE EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL STATUS OF SUCH PERSONS IS NOT BE ALTERED BY THIS DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER STATEMENT OR REPRESENTATION BY ANY PERSON ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY, BUT CAN ONLY BE ALTERED ONLY BY AN EXPRESS WRITTEN CONTRACT WHICH PURPORTS TO ALTER SUCH RELATIONSHIP, WHICH CONTRACT MUST BE SIGNED BY THE APPROPRIATE MEMBER OF THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

ALL EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE ENTERED INTO OR MAY LATER ENTER INTO SUCH A WRITTEN CONTRACT ARE FURTHER ADVISED THAT THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT IN ANY WAY ALTER, MODIFY, OR AMEND SUCH CONTRACT.

THE PARTICIPANT IS FURTHER ADVISED THAT THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE PARTICIPANT IS NOT MODIFIED IN ANY WAY BY ANY EMPLOYEE’S OWNERSHIP, VESTING, OR OTHER INTEREST OF ANY KIND IN ANY BENEFIT OR ASSET THAT MAY BE PROVIDED OR AWARDED UNDER THE 2007 – 2009 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN PROGRAM (THE “PLAN”) OR THIS AWARD. HOWEVER, CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THIS AWARD MAY BE CONDITIONED UPON CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY OR MAY OTHERWISE BE RELATED TO THE DURATION OF THE PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY.

WHEREAS, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) has, pursuant to the Plan, granted this Award to the Participant and authorized and directed the execution and delivery of this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Participant hereby agree as follows:

Award. The Participant is hereby granted this Award of 6,000 Restricted Stock Units (“Units”). Of this Award, one-third (or 2,000 Units) will be subject to “Employment Conditions” (set forth below in the Award Schedule) and two-thirds (or 4,000 Units) will be subject to achievement of certain “Performance Goals” (set forth below in the Award Schedule) with respect to the performance period from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009 (the “Performance Period”). If levels of performance are achieved in excess of the 100% target level, than the number of Units that can be earned can be increased by up to 100%. For your Award, the 4,000 Units subject to performance conditions can increase to 8,000 Units at 100% achievement of stretch performance.

(i)

As soon as practicable after the close of the Performance Period, the Committee shall determine whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals have been achieved. If the Performance Goals have been achieved, the Committee will determine the number of Units that have vested

based upon the formula set forth in the Award Schedule. Units that have not met the Performance Conditions will be forfeited.

(ii)

Units subject to the Employment Conditions will vest according to the Award Schedule.

(iii)

As soon as practical after the Units have vested, the Company shall deliver to the Participant one share of Company common stock (“Stock”) for each Unit so earned, subject to any reductions for tax withholding, as contemplated in Paragraph 5 below.

3.	Termination. The Participant must be a Company employee as of the date of vesting to be entitled to receive any Stock as a result of this Award. All Units granted hereunder and not otherwise earned and vested, will be forfeited upon Participant ceasing to be a Company employee.

Change of Control. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event of a Change of Control as defined by the Plan document, all Units subject to Employment Conditions will vest as of the date of the Change in Control. All Units subject to Performance Conditions will vest at the 100% level as of the date of the Change in Control.

Taxes. The Company shall withhold all applicable taxes required by law from all amounts paid in satisfaction of the Award. A Participant may satisfy the tax obligation with respect to the Award (i) by paying the amount of any such taxes in cash or check (subject to collection), (ii) by the delivery (or attestation of ownership) of shares of Stock, or (iii) with the approval of the Committee, by having shares of Stock deducted from the payment. The amount of the withholding and, if applicable, the number of shares of Stock to be deducted shall be determined by the Committee as of when the withholding is required to be made, provided that the number of shares of Stock so withheld shall not exceed the minimum required amount of such withholding.

6.	Non-Assignability. This Award and the related Units are not assignable or transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

7.	Rights as a Stockholder. Subject to the terms and provisions of applicable law and of this Agreement, the Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to the Units until such time as the Company delivers the share of Stock for each Unit earned..

(i)

For Units subject to Performance Conditions, and pending determination of whether Performance Conditions have been achieved, an amount equal to the cash dividends paid with respect to the number of shares of Stock equal to such Units shall be held un-invested by the Company. Participant will vest in these cash dividend equivalents to the same extent that the underlying Units that become vested due to achievement of Performance Conditions, and if vested, will be paid to the Participant as soon as practical after determination that the Performance Conditions have been satisfied. Cash dividend equivalents related to Units that are forfeited will be forfeited.

(ii)

With respect to Units subject to Employment Conditions and prior to vesting of such Units, an amount equal to the cash dividends paid with respect to the number of shares of Stock equal to such Units shall be paid to Participant as ordinary income through payroll. Any right to receive such cash dividend equivalents will terminate upon the forfeiture of the underlying Units.

(iii)

Participants will receive any stock dividends on the same basis as holders of Stock, except their dividends will be in the form of additional Units (and will vest to the extent the underlying Units with respect to which they were issued, vest). Any Units received by a recipient as a stock dividend, or as a result of stock splits, recapitalizations, combinations, exchanges of shares, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations or otherwise, directly or indirectly, shall have the same status and be subject to this Agreement in the same manner as the underlying Unit with respect to which it was issued.

9.	No Right to Continued Service. Nothing herein shall obligate the Company to continue the Participant’s employment or other service for any particular period or on any particular basis of compensation.

10.	Burden and Benefit. The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Participant and his or her executors or administrators, heirs, and personal and legal representatives.

11.

Execution. This Award is not enforceable until this Agreement has been signed by the Participant and the Company. By executing this Agreement, the Participant shall be deemed to have accepted and consented to any action taken under the Plan by the Committee, the Board of Directors or their delegates.

12.	Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

13.	Modifications. No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

14.

Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Plan, sets forth all of the agreements between the parties hereto with respect to the Units granted hereunder, and there are no agreements between them with respect to the Units other than as set forth herein or therein. The terms and conditions of the Plan are incorporated by reference herein, and to the extent that any conflict may exist between any term or provision of this Agreement and any term or provision of the Plan, the term or provision of the Plan shall control.

15.	Construction. The use of any gender herein shall be deemed to include the other gender and the use of the singular herein shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa, wherever appropriate.

16.	Notices. Any and all notices required herein shall be addressed: (i) if to the Company, to the principal executive office of the Company; and (ii) if to the Participant, to his or her address as reflected in the records of the Company.

17.	Invalid or Unenforceable Provisions. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid or unenforceable provisions were omitted.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Participant have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

Grant Year	% of Restricted Stock Units	Number of Restricted Stock Units - Target
2007	100%

Cumulative Percent of Award	Restrictions Lapse as of
33.3%	January 31, 2008
33.3%	January 31, 2009
33.4%	January 31, 2010

Performance Period	% of Restricted Stock Units	Number of Restricted Stock Units - Target	Number of Restricted Stock Units - Stretch
2007 to 2009	100%

For the Performance Period, the Board will evaluate the performance of The South Financial Group, Inc with respect to two established performance measures and the approved threshold, target and stretch performance levels. The percentage performance of each measure will be determined independently. Once the percentage performance has been determined, an overall percentage performance will be calculated by adding together each performance measure’s weight times the percentage performance for that measure. The percentage of Units that have met the performance conditions is equal to the overall percentage performance times the number of Units awarded.

The percentage performance for each measure will be determined in the following manner:

If performance is below the threshold, then that measures percentage performance is 0%.

If performance is below the target but exceeds the threshold, then that measures percentage performance is calculated based on straight-line interpolation and will be between 50% and 100% of the Units awarded.

If performance is exactly equal to the target, then that measures percentage performance is 100% of the Units awarded.

If performance is in between the target and the stretch, then that measures percentage performance is calculated based on straight-line interpolation and will be between 100% and 200% of the Units awarded.

If performance is equal to or exceeds the stretch, then the percentage performance is 200% of the Units awarded.