UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington D.C. 20549

                            _________________________

                                    FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
     ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended       March 31, 2003
                                     --------------

                                       OR

[ ]  TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13 OR  15(d)  OF THE  SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from            to

                         Commission File Number: 0-24626
                                                 -------


                          COOPERATIVE BANKSHARES, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      North Carolina                                             56-1886527
-------------------------------                              -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                               (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)

201 Market Street, Wilmington, North Carolina                       28401
---------------------------------------------                     ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (910) 343-0181
                                                     --------------


Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report

                                       N/A

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                      [X]   Yes          [ ]  No

Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  registrant  is an  accelerated  filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

                                      [ ]   Yes          [X]  No

     APPLICABLE  ONLY TO  CORPORATE  ISSUERS:  Indicate  the  number  of  shares
outstanding  of each of the issuer's  classes of common stock,  as of the latest
practicable date. 2,847,947 shares at April 30, 2003
                  ----------------------------------


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



                                                                           Page

Part I          Financial Information

     Item 1     Financial Statements

                Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition,
                March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002                        3

                Consolidated Statements of Operations, for the three
                months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002                        4

                Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity, for
                the three months ended March 31, 2003                       5

                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, for the three
                months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002                        6-7

                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                  8-10

     Item 2     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                Condition and Results of Operations                        10-16

     Item 3     Market Risk                                                16-17

     Item 4     Controls and Procedures                                    17

Part II         Other Information

     Item 1     Legal Proceedings                                          18

     Item 2     Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds                  18

     Item 3     Defaults Upon Senior Securities                            18

     Item 4     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders        18

     Item 5     Other Information                                          18

     Item 6     Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                           18

                Signatures                                                 19

                Certifications                                             20-21

                Exhibit 99                                                 22

        PART 1-FINANCIAL INFORMATION-FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
           COOPERATIVE BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION


                                                                        MARCH 31, 2003     December 31, 2002*
                                                                        --------------     -----------------
                                                                         (UNAUDITED)
                              ASSETS
                                                                                         
  Cash and due from banks, noninterest-bearing                            $ 13,205,668         $ 11,858,603
  Interest-bearing deposits in other banks                                   3,155,941                   --
                                                                          ------------         ------------
    Total cash and cash equivalents                                         16,361,609           11,858,603
  Securities:
    Available for sale (amortized cost of $39,355,848 in March 2003
     and $41,033,409 in December 2002)                                      40,225,231           42,075,212
    Held to maturity (estimated market value of $7,728,406 in March
     2003 and $8,009,087 in December 2002)                                   7,593,362            7,859,955
  FHLB stock                                                                 3,804,600            4,054,700
  Loans held for sale                                                       20,757,817           25,659,935
  Loans                                                                    404,077,345          393,812,940
   Less allowance for loan losses                                            2,996,843            2,936,795
                                                                          ------------         ------------
    Net loans                                                              401,080,502          390,876,145
  Other real estate owned                                                      920,643              619,163
  Accrued interest receivable                                                2,192,839            2,239,826
  Premises and equipment, net                                                7,603,824            7,019,219
  Other assets                                                              12,037,943           11,946,819
                                                                          ------------         ------------
          Total assets                                                    $512,578,370         $504,209,577
                                                                          ============         ============

               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Deposits                                                                $375,020,415         $357,254,096
  Short-term borrowings                                                     51,728,252           61,585,827
  Escrow deposits                                                              381,491              223,604
  Accrued interest payable                                                     278,302              284,568
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                     2,262,185            3,320,629
  Long-term obligations                                                     43,091,411           43,092,592
                                                                          ------------         ------------
       Total liabilities                                                   472,762,056          465,761,316
                                                                          ------------         ------------

Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $1 par value, 3,000,000 shares authorized,
    no shares issued and outstanding                                        -                    -
  Common stock, $1 par value, 7,000,000 shares authorized,
    2,847,947 and 2,835,947 shares issued and outstanding                    2,847,947            2,835,947
  Additional paid-in capital                                                 2,613,153            2,440,645
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                                       573,793              635,500
  Retained earnings                                                         33,781,421           32,536,169
                                                                          ------------         ------------
       Total stockholders' equity                                           39,816,314           38,448,261
                                                                          ------------         ------------
          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                      $512,578,370         $504,209,577
                                                                          ============         ============

Book value per common share                                               $      13.98         $      13.56
                                                                          ============         ============

*Derived from audited consolidated financial statements.



The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.

                                       3

                   COOPERATIVE BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (UNAUDITED)


                                                                 THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                     MARCH 31,
                                                             -----------------------------
                                                                 2003              2002
                                                             -----------       -----------
                                                                         
INTEREST INCOME:
  Loans                                                      $ 6,525,593       $ 6,595,546
  Securities                                                     603,090           695,887
  Other                                                            9,806            12,293
  Dividends on FHLB stock                                         45,575            58,909
                                                             -----------       -----------
       Total interest income                                   7,184,064         7,362,635
                                                             -----------       -----------

INTEREST EXPENSE:
  Deposits                                                     2,038,260         2,845,342
  Borrowed funds                                                 891,943           912,653
                                                             -----------       -----------
       Total interest expense                                  2,930,203         3,757,995
                                                             -----------       -----------

NET INTEREST INCOME                                            4,253,861         3,604,640
Provision for loan losses                                        200,000           280,000
                                                             -----------       -----------
       Net interest income after provision for loan losses     4,053,861         3,324,640
                                                             -----------       -----------

NONINTEREST INCOME:
   Gain on sale of loans                                       1,026,756            18,279
   Net gain on sale of securities                                      -           116,766
   Service charges and fees on loans                             138,331           201,382
   Deposit-related fees                                          256,871           248,235
   Gain on sale of real estate                                         -           464,977
   Bank-owned life insurance earnings                             97,074            99,837
   Other income, net                                              52,625            60,116
                                                             -----------       -----------
       Total noninterest income                                1,571,657         1,209,592
                                                             -----------       -----------

NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
   Compensation and fringe benefits                            2,274,258         1,435,853
   Occupancy and equipment                                       647,931           518,210
   Professional and examination fees                             101,247           130,581
   Advertising                                                   120,555            70,503
   Real estate owned                                              17,890             6,542
   Other                                                         456,886           388,381
                                                             -----------       -----------
     Total noninterest expenses                                3,618,767         2,550,070
                                                             -----------       -----------

Income before income taxes                                     2,006,751         1,984,162
Income tax expense                                               619,101           695,660
                                                             -----------       -----------

NET INCOME                                                   $ 1,387,650       $ 1,288,502
                                                             -----------       -----------
NET INCOME PER SHARE:
   Basic                                                          $ 0.49            $ 0.45
                                                             ===========       ===========
   Diluted                                                        $ 0.48            $ 0.45
                                                             ===========       ===========

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
   Basic                                                       2,844,678         2,835,447
                                                             ===========       ===========
   Diluted                                                     2,887,096         2,843,398
                                                             ===========       ===========


The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.

                                       4

                   COOPERATIVE BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                   (UNAUDITED)


                                                                    ACCUMULATED
                                                     ADDITIONAL       OTHER                           TOTAL
                                       COMMON        PAID-IN       COMPREHENSIVE    RETAINED       STOCKHOLDERS'
                                       STOCK         CAPITAL         INCOME         EARNINGS         EQUITY
                                    -----------   ------------     -------------  ------------    ------------
                                                                                   
Balance, December 31, 2002          $ 2,835,947   $  2,440,645      $ 635,500     $ 32,536,169    $ 38,448,261
  Exercise of stock options              12,000        158,500             --               --         170,500
  Tax benefit of stock option
     exercise                                --         14,008             --               --          14,008
  Other comprehensive
   loss, net of taxes                        --             --        (61,707)              --         (61,707)
  Net income                                 --             --             --        1,387,650       1,387,650
  Cash dividends ($.05 per share)            --             --             --         (142,398)       (142,398)
                                    -----------   ------------      ---------     ------------    ------------
Balance, March 31, 2003             $ 2,847,947   $  2,613,153      $ 573,793     $ 33,781,421    $ 39,816,314
                                    ===========   ============      =========     ============    ============


The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.

                                       5

            COOPERATIVE BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (UNAUDITED)


                                                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                           MARCH 31,
                                                                                  2003                  2002
                                                                              ------------          ------------
                                                                                               
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income                                                                   $ 1,387,650           $ 1,288,502
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
      Net accretion, amortization, and depreciation                                318,037               198,350
      Net gain on sale securities                                                       --              (116,766)
      Net gain on sale of loans                                                 (1,026,756)              (18,279)
      Provision (benefit) from deferred income taxes                               (43,329)              140,620
      Gain on sale of premises and equipment                                            --              (464,977)
      Loss on sales of foreclosed real estate                                          534                    --
      Valuation losses on foreclosed real estate                                   107,880                    --
      Provision for loan losses                                                    200,000               280,000
      Originations of loans held for sale                                      (56,336,726)           (1,513,000)
      Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale                                62,230,202             1,518,418
      Changes in assets and liabilities:
        Accrued interest receivable                                                 46,987               233,706
        Prepaid expenses and other assets                                           62,917              (505,728)
        Accrued interest payable                                                    (6,266)               39,492
        Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                  (1,058,443)              461,318
                                                                              ------------          ------------
          Net cash provided by operating activities                              5,882,687             1,541,656
                                                                              ------------          ------------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of securities available for sale                                            --           (13,438,870)
  Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale                                   --            12,115,938
  Repayments of mortgage-backed securities available for sale                    1,619,390             1,016,356
  Repayments of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity                        226,074                    --
  Loan originations, net of principal repayments                               (10,848,421)           (2,435,646)
  Proceeds from disposals of foreclosed real estate                                 74,390                68,096
  Net expenditures on foreclosed real estate                                        (4,822)                   --
  Purchases of FHLB stock                                                         (350,000)                   --
  Proceeds from sale of FHLB stock                                                 600,100                    --
  Purchases of premises and equipment                                             (803,952)             (344,937)
  Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment                                          --               499,070
                                                                              ------------          ------------
          Net cash used in investing activities                                 (9,487,241)           (2,519,993)
                                                                              ------------          ------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net increase in deposits                                                      17,766,319            12,252,491
  Net repayments on short-term borrowings                                       (9,857,575)           (8,800,965)
  Repayments on long-term obligations                                               (1,181)               (1,117)
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                           184,508                    --
  Dividends paid                                                                  (142,398)             (141,772)
  Net change in escrow deposits                                                    157,887               256,028
                                                                              ------------          ------------
          Net cash provided by financing activities                              8,107,560             3,564,665
                                                                              ------------          ------------

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                            4,503,006             2,586,328
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                                           11,858,603            12,295,578
                                                                              ------------          ------------
  END OF PERIOD                                                               $ 16,361,609          $ 14,881,906
                                                                              ============          ============


(Continued)

                                       6

                   COOPERATIVE BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED


                                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                MARCH 31,
                                                                        2003                 2002
                                                                    -----------          -----------
                                                                                   
Cash paid for:
  Interest                                                          $ 2,936,469          $ 3,718,503
  Income taxes                                                          207,652               92,763

Summary of noncash investing and financing activities:
  Transfer from loans to foreclosed real estate                         479,462              500,957
  Unrealized loss on securities available for sale,
     net of taxes                                                       (61,707)            (622,522)
  Reclassifications between Long-term obligations
     and short-term borrowings                                                -            5,000,000


The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.


                                       7


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   Accounting  Policies:  The  significant  accounting  policies  followed  by
     --------------------
     Cooperative   Bankshares,   Inc.  (the  "Company")  for  interim  financial
     reporting are consistent with the accounting  policies  followed for annual
     financial reporting. These unaudited consolidated financial statements have
     been  prepared in  accordance  with Rule 10-01 of  Regulation  S-X, and, in
     management's   opinion,  all  adjustments  of  a  normal  recurring  nature
     necessary for a fair  presentation  have been  included.  The  accompanying
     consolidated  financial  statements  do not  purport  to  contain  all  the
     necessary  financial  disclosures  that might otherwise be necessary in the
     circumstances  and  should  be read in  conjunction  with the  consolidated
     financial  statements and notes thereto in the Company's  annual report for
     the year ended  December  31, 2002 (the  "Annual  Report").  The results of
     operations  for  the  three-month  period  ended  March  31,  2003  are not
     necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

2.   Basis of Presentation:  The accompanying  unaudited  consolidated financial
     ---------------------
     statements   include  the  accounts  of   Cooperative   Bankshares,   Inc.,
     Cooperative  Bank (the  Bank) and its  wholly  owned  subsidiaries,  Lumina
     Mortgage  Company,  Inc.  (Lumina) & CS&L Holdings,  Inc.  (Holdings),  and
     Holdings'  majority owned subsidiary,  CS&L Real Estate Trust, Inc. (REIT).
     All significant intercompany items have been eliminated.  Certain items for
     prior  periods  have been  reclassified  to conform to the  current  period
     presentation.  These  reclassifications have no effect on the net income or
     stockholders' equity as previously reported.

3.   Earnings Per Share: Earnings per share (EPS) are calculated by dividing net
     ------------------
     income by the weighted average number of common shares  outstanding  (basic
     EPS)  and  the  sum  of  the  weighted  average  number  of  common  shares
     outstanding  and potential  common stock  (diluted EPS).  Potential  common
     stock consists of stock options issued and outstanding.  In determining the
     number of potential  common stock,  the treasury  stock method was applied.
     This method assumes that the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the
     stock options is reduced by the number of common shares  assumed  purchased
     at market prices with the proceeds from the assumed  exercise of the common
     stock  options  plus any tax  benefits  received as a result of the assumed
     exercise. The following table provides a reconciliation of income available
     to common stockholders and the average number of shares outstanding for the
     periods below:


                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                               MARCH 31,
                                                        2003             2002
                                                     ----------       ----------
                                                                
Net income (numerator)                               $1,387,650       $1,288,502

Shares for basic EPS (denominator)                    2,844,678        2,835,447
Dilutive effect of stock options                         42,418            7,951
                                                     ----------       ----------
Shares for diluted EPS (denominator)                  2,887,096        2,843,398
                                                     ==========       ==========



     For the periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002,  there were 4,204 and 14,204
     options outstanding  respectively that were antidilutive since the exercise
     price exceeds the average market price.  The options have been omitted from
     the calculation of the dilutive effect of stock options.
                                       8


4.   Comprehensive  Income:  Comprehensive  income  includes  net income and all
     ---------------------
     other changes to the Company's  equity,  with the exception of transactions
     with  shareholders  ("other  comprehensive  income").  The  Company's  only
     components of other  comprehensive  income  relate to unrealized  gains and
     losses on available for sale securities. The following table sets forth the
     components of other comprehensive income and total comprehensive income for
     the three months ended March 31:


                                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                        MARCH 31,
                                                                  2003            2002
                                                               ------------     -----------
                                                                         
Net income                                                     $  1,387,650    $  1,288,502
Other comprehensive income (loss):
   Reclassification to realized gains                                     -         116,766
   Unrealized loss arising during the period                       (172,420)     (1,137,295)

Income tax benefit                                                  110,713         398,007
                                                               ------------     -----------
Other comprehensive loss                                            (61,707)       (622,522)
                                                               ------------     -----------
Comprehensive income                                           $  1,325,943     $   665,980
                                                               ------------     -----------


5.   Stock-Based  Compensation:  On January 1, 1996 the Company adopted SFAS No.
     -------------------------
     123,  "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation".  As permitted by SFAS No.
     123,  the  Company  has chosen to  continue  to apply APB  Opinion  No. 25,
     "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related interpretations. The
     option  exercise  price is the market price of the common stock on the date
     the  option  is  granted.   Accordingly,  no  compensation  cost  has  been
     recognized for options granted under the Option Plan. Had compensation cost
     for the Company's  Option Plan been  determined  based on the fair value at
     the grant dates for awards under the option plan consistent with the method
     of SFAS No. 123,  the  Company's  net income and net income per share would
     have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below.



                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                          March 31,
                                                     2003             2002
                                                 -----------      -----------
                                                            
Net income, as reported                          $ 1,387,650      $ 1,288,502
Deduct: Total stock-based employee
   compensation expense determined
   under fair value based method for all
   awards, net of related tax effects                      -          (60,543)
                                                 -----------      -----------
Proforma net income                              $ 1,387,650      $ 1,227,959
                                                 ===========      ===========
Earnings per share:
   Basic-as reported                             $      0.49      $      0.45
                                                 ===========      ===========
   Basic-proforma                                $      0.49      $      0.43
                                                 ===========      ===========
   Diluted-as reported                           $      0.48      $      0.45
                                                 ===========      ===========
   Diluted-proforma                              $      0.48      $      0.43
                                                 ===========      ===========

                                       9


6.   New Accounting  Prouncements:  On January 1, 2003, the Company adopted SFAS
     ----------------------------
     No.  146,   "Accounting   for  Costs   Associated  with  Exit  or  Disposal
     Activities".  SFAS No. 146 addresses financial accounting and reporting for
     costs  associated with exit or disposal  activities and nullifies  Emerging
     Issues Task Force (EITF)  Issue 94-3,  "Liability  Recognition  for Certain
     Employee  Termination  Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an  Activity."  The
     adoption  of SFAS No. 146 did not have a material  effect on the  Company's
     consolidated financial statements.

     In November 2002, the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board (FASB) issued
     Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's  Accounting and Disclosure Requirements
     for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness to Others, an
     interpretation  of FASB  Statements  No. 5, 57 and 107 and a rescission  of
     FASB  Interpretation  No.  34."  This  Interpretation   elaborates  on  the
     disclosures  to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual  financial
     statements   about   its   obligations   under   guarantees   issued.   The
     Interpretation also clarifies that a guarantor is required to recognize, at
     inception of a guarantee,  a liability for the fair value of the obligation
     undertaken.  The initial  recognition  and  measurement  provisions  of the
     Interpretation  are  applicable  to  guarantees  issued or  modified  after
     December  31, 2002 and are not  expected  to have a material  effect on the
     Company's  consolidated financial statements.  The disclosure  requirements
     are effective for financial statements of interim and annual periods ending
     after December 15, 2002.

     In January 2003, the FASB issued  Interpretation No. 46,  "Consolidation of
     Variable  Interest  Entities,  an  interpretation  of  ARB  No.  51".  This
     Interpretation  addresses  the  consolidation  by business  enterprises  of
     variable   interest  entities  as  defined  in  the   Interpretation.   The
     Interpretation  applies  immediately  to  variable  interests  in  variable
     interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and to variable interests
     in variable  interest  entities obtained after January 31, 2003. For public
     enterprises with a variable  interest in a variable interest equity created
     before February 1, 2003, the  interpretation  applies to that enterprise no
     later than the  beginning of the first interim or annual  reporting  period
     beginning  after June 15, 2003. The application of this  Interpretation  is
     not  expected  to have a  material  effect  on the  Company's  consolidated
     financial  statements.  The Interpretation  requires certain disclosures in
     financial  statements  issued  after  January 31, 2003 if it is  reasonably
     possible that the Company will  consolidate or disclose  information  about
     variable interest entities when the Interpretation becomes effective.

ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

Cooperative  Bankshares,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  is a  registered  bank holding
company  incorporated  in North  Carolina  in 1994.  The  Company  is the parent
company of Cooperative Bank (the "Bank"); a North Carolina chartered  commercial
bank.  Cooperative  Bank,  headquartered  in  Wilmington,  North  Carolina,  was
chartered in 1898.  The Bank provides  financial  services  through 17 financial
centers in  Eastern  North  Carolina.  One of the  Bank's  subsidiaries,  Lumina
Mortgage  Company,  Inc.  ("Lumina") is a mortgage  banking firm originating and
selling  residential  mortgage  loans  through  offices  in  Wilmington,   North
Carolina;  North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Virginia Beach, Virginia. The
Bank's other subsidiary,  CS&L Holdings,  Inc. ("Holdings") is a holding company
for CS&L Real Estate Trust, Inc. (the "REIT"), which is a real estate investment
trust.

Through  its  financial  centers,  the Bank  provides  a wide  range of  banking
products, including interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing checking accounts,
certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts, which are insured up
to the applicable limits of the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation ("FDIC").
It offers an array of loan products: overdraft protection, commercial, consumer,
agricultural,  real estate,  residential  mortgage and home equity  loans.  Also
offered are safe deposit boxes and automated  banking  services through ATMs and
Access24  Phone  Banking.  In  addition,  the  Bank  offers  discount  brokerage
services,  annuity sales and mutual funds through a third party arrangement with
UVEST  Investment  Services.  Lumina  delivers  a wide  range of  mortgage  loan
products to its market area.

MISSION STATEMENT

It is the mission of the  Company to provide the maximum in safety and  security
for our depositors, an equitable rate of return for our stockholders,  excellent
service for our customers,  and to do so while operating in a fiscally sound and
conservative  manner,  with fair  pricing of our  products  and  services,  good
working conditions,  outstanding training and opportunities for our staff, along
with a high level of corporate citizenship.

                                       10


MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Cooperative  Bank's lending  activities have  traditionally  concentrated on the
origination of loans for the purpose of  constructing,  financing or refinancing
residential  properties.  In  recent  years  however,  the Bank  has  emphasized
origination  of  nonresidential  real estate  loans and  secured  and  unsecured
consumer and business loans. As of March 31, 2003,  approximately  $276 million,
or 68%,  of the  Bank's  loan  portfolio,  which  excludes  loans held for sale,
consisted  of  loans  secured  by  residential  properties.   This  compared  to
approximately  $268 million,  or 69% at December 31, 2002.  The Bank  originates
adjustable rate and fixed rate loans. As of March 31, 2003,  adjustable rate and
fixed rate loans totaled  approximately  64.5% and 35.5%,  respectively,  of the
Bank's total loan portfolio.

The Bank has chosen to sell a larger  percentage of its fixed rate mortgage loan
originations in the secondary  market and through  brokered  arrangements.  This
enables the Bank to reinvest these funds in commercial  loans,  while increasing
fee income.  This is part of the continuing  effort to  restructure  the balance
sheet and  operations to be more  reflective of a commercial  bank.  The Bank is
building  additional  branches in Wilmington,  North Carolina and Morehead City,
North Carolina.

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Interest rate sensitivity refers to the change in interest spread resulting from
changes in interest  rates.  To the extent  that  interest  income and  interest
expense do not respond  equally to changes in interest  rates, or that all rates
do not change uniformly,  earnings will be affected.  Interest rate sensitivity,
at a point in time,  can be analyzed  using a static gap analysis  that measures
the match in balances subject to repricing between  interest-earning  assets and
interest-bearing  liabilities.  Gap is  considered  positive  when the amount of
interest rate  sensitive  assets  exceed the amount of interest  rate  sensitive
liabilities.  Gap is  considered  negative  when the  amount  of  interest  rate
sensitive  liabilities  exceed the amount of interest rate sensitive  assets. At
March 31, 2003, Cooperative had a one-year positive gap position of 2.1%. During
a period of  falling  interest  rates,  a positive  gap would tend to  adversely
affect net  interest  income,  while a  negative  gap would tend to result in an
increase in net interest  income.  During a period of rising  interest  rates, a
positive gap would tend to result in an increase in net interest  income while a
negative gap would tend to adversely affect net interest income. It is important
to note that certain shortcomings are inherent in static gap analysis.  Although
certain  assets  and  liabilities  may have  similar  maturities  or  periods of
repricing,  they may react in  different  degrees to changes in market  interest
rates. For example, a part of the Company's  adjustable-rate  mortgage loans are
indexed  to  the  National   Monthly  Median  Cost  of  Funds  to   SAIF-insured
institutions.  This  index is  considered  a lagging  index  that may lag behind
changes in market rates. The one-year or less interest-bearing  liabilities also
include checking,  savings,  and money market deposit  accounts.  Experience has
shown that the Company sees  relatively  modest  repricing of these  transaction
accounts.  Management takes this into  consideration  in determining  acceptable
levels of interest rate risk.

When Lumina gives a rate lock  commitment  to a customer,  there is a concurrent
"lock in" for the loan with a secondary  market  investor  under a best  efforts
delivery  mechanism.  Therefore,  interest  rate risk is  mitigated  because any
commitments  to fund a loan  available  for  sale is  concurrently  hedged  by a
commitment from an investor to purchase the loan under the same terms. Loans are
usually sold within 60 days after closing.

                                       11


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

The Bank enters into  agreements  that obligate it to make future payments under
contracts,  such as debt and lease agreements.  In addition, the Bank commits to
lend funds in the future such as credit lines and loan  commitments.  Below is a
table of such  contractual  obligations  and  commitments  at March 31, 2003 (in
thousands).


                                                                      Payments Due by Period
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Less
                                                                  than 1        1-3         4-5        Over 5
             Contractual Obligations                    Total      year        years       years        years
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        
Borrowed Funds                                        $ 94,820    $ 51,728    $ 10,000     $ 10,000    $ 23,092
Lease Obligations                                        2,956         313         441          254       1,948
Deposits                                               375,020     315,982      58,856          182           -
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------
Total Contractual Cash Obligations                    $472,796    $368,023    $ 69,297     $ 10,436    $ 25,040
                                                      =========================================================

                                                                   Amount of Commitment Expiration
                                                                             Per Period
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Total        Less
                                                       Amounts      than 1        1-3         4-5        Over 5
                Other Commitments                     Committed      year        years       years        years
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        
Undisbursed portion of home equity
   collateralized primarily by junior liens
   on 1-4 family properties                           $ 15,176     $ 1,339     $ 1,285        $ 619    $ 11,933
Other commitments and credit lines                      13,214       5,413       5,038           58       2,705
Undisbursed portion of construction loans               33,797      33,797          --           --          --
Available for sale mortgage loan commitments             6,397       6,397          --           --          --
Fixed-rate mortgage loan commitments                     3,335       3,335          --           --          --
Adjustable-rate mortgage loan
   commitments                                           1,483       1,483          --           --          --
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------------
Total Commitments                                     $ 73,402    $ 51,764     $ 6,323        $ 677    $ 14,638
                                                      =========================================================


LIQUIDITY

The Company's goal is to maintain  adequate  liquidity to meet potential funding
needs of loan and deposit customers, pay operating expenses, and meet regulatory
liquidity requirements.  Maturing securities,  principal repayments of loans and
securities, deposits, income from operations and borrowings are the main sources
of  liquidity.  The Bank has been  granted a line of credit by the Federal  Home
Loan Bank of  Atlanta  ("FHLB")  in an amount of up to 25% of the  Bank's  total
assets. At March 31, 2003, the Bank's borrowed funds from the FHLB equaled 14.8%
of its total assets.  Scheduled  loan  repayments  are a relatively  predictable
source of funds,  unlike deposits and loan  prepayments  that are  significantly
influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition.

At March 31, 2003,  the  estimated  market value of liquid  assets  (cash,  cash
equivalents,  marketable  securities and loans held for sale) was  approximately
$85.1 million, which represents 18.1% of deposits and borrowed funds as compared
to $87.6  million or 19.0% of deposits and borrowed  funds at December 31, 2002.
The decrease in liquid  assets was primarily due to a decrease in loans held for
sale.

The  Company's  primary  uses  of  liquidity  are to  fund  loans  and  to  make
investments.  At March 31, 2003,  outstanding  off-balance  sheet commitments to
extend credit totaled $39.6 million, and the undisbursed portion of

                                       12


construction  loans was $33.8 million.  Management  considers  current liquidity
levels adequate to meet the Company's cash flow requirements.

CAPITAL

Stockholders'  equity at March 31, 2003, was $39.8  million,  up 3.6% from $38.4
million at December 31, 2002.  Stockholders'  equity at March 31, 2003, includes
an unrealized gain net of tax, of $573,793 as compared to an unrealized gain net
of tax at December 31, 2002, of $635,500 on securities available for sale marked
to estimated fair market value.

Under the  capital  regulations  of the  FDIC,  the Bank  must  satisfy  minimum
leverage  ratio   requirements  and  risk-based  capital   requirements.   Banks
supervised by the FDIC must maintain a minimum  leverage  ratio of core (Tier I)
capital to average adjusted assets ranging from 3% to 5%. At March 31, 2002, the
Bank's ratio of Tier I capital was 7.72%.  The FDIC's  risk-based  capital rules
require  banks  supervised  by  the  FDIC  to  maintain  risk-based  capital  to
risk-weighted  assets  of at least  8.00%.  Risk-based  capital  for the Bank is
defined as Tier I capital  plus the balance of  allowance  for loan  losses.  At
March  31,  2003,  the  Bank  had  a  ratio  of  qualifying   total  capital  to
risk-weighted assets of 11.11%.

The Company,  as a bank holding  company,  is also  subject,  on a  consolidated
basis,  to the capital  adequacy  guidelines  of the Board of  Governors  of the
Federal Reserve (the "Federal Reserve Board").  The capital  requirements of the
Federal Reserve Board are similar to those of the FDIC governing the Bank.

The  Company  currently  exceeds  all of its  capital  requirements.  Management
expects the Company to continue to exceed  these  capital  requirements  without
altering current operations or strategies.

On March 14, 2003,  the Company's  Board of Directors  approved a quarterly cash
dividend  of $.05  per  share.  The  dividend  was  paid on  April  16,  2003 to
stockholders  of record as of April 1, 2003.  Any future payment of dividends is
dependent  on  the  financial  condition  and  capital  needs  of  the  Company,
requirements of regulatory agencies, and economic conditions in the marketplace.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICY

The Bank's most significant  critical  accounting policy is the determination of
its allowance for loan losses. A critical  accounting policy is one that is both
very important to the portrayal of the Bank's  financial  condition and results,
and requires management's most difficult,  subjective or complex judgments. What
makes these judgments  inherently  difficult,  subjective  and/or complex is the
need to make  estimates  about  the  effects  of  matters  that  are  inherently
uncertain.  For further  information  on the allowance for loan losses,  see the
"Financial  Condition"  in  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis and Note 3 of
"Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" included in the Annual Report.

FINANCIAL CONDITION AT MARCH 31, 2003, COMPARED TO DECEMBER 31, 2002

The Company's  total assets  increased 1.7% to $512.6 million at March 31, 2003,
as compared to $504.2  million at December  31,  2002.  The major  change in the
assets is an  increase  of $4.5  million  (38.0%) in cash and cash  equivalents,
which was  caused by an  increase  in  deposits  of $17.8  million  (5.0%).  The
increase  in  deposits  was  mainly  in the six month  certificates,  due to the
customers'  desire  to  stay  short  in  the  current  rate   environment,   and
non-interest-bearing  checking  accounts  due to the  emphasis  of the  Bank  on
obtaining business accounts.  The Bank also attracted an additional $8.3 million
in internet  deposits  because the rates were  competitive with the Bank's local
markets.   Internet   deposits  are  usually   obtained  from  other   financial
institutions  with terms primarily of one or two years. The rise in deposits and
income  from  operations  enabled the Bank to fund an increase in loans of $10.3
million  (2.6%) as well as repay $5  million  of  borrowed  funds from the FHLB.
Borrowed funds,  collateralized through an agreement with the FHLB for advances,
are secured by the Bank's investment in FHLB stock and qualifying first mortgage
loans.  There was a decrease of $4.9  million in loans held for sale,  which was
primarily  funded by a short-term  borrowing at another  financial  institution.
This loan was reduced $5.1 million since December 31, 2002 and is collateralized
by the loans held for sale. Securities available for sale decreased $1.8 million
(4.4%) during the first three months of 2003 due to payments of mortgage  backed
securities. The increase of $584,605 in premises and equipment, during this same
period,  is primarily  due to the building of two new  branches.  A reduction in
accounts  payable  caused the decrease of $1.1  million in accrued  expenses and
other liabilities from December 31, 2002 to March 31, 2003.

                                       13


The  Company's  non-performing  assets  (loans  90 days or more  delinquent  and
foreclosed  real estate)  were $1.3  million,  or 0.26% of assets,  at March 31,
2003,  compared  to $1.2  million,  or 0.24% of assets,  at December  31,  2002.
Foreclosed real estate increased to $920,643 at March 31, 2003, from $619,163 at
December 31, 2002, but only four  properties  make up this balance.  The Company
assumes an aggressive  position in collecting  delinquent loans and disposing of
foreclosed assets to minimize balances of non-performing assets and continues to
evaluate  the loan and real  estate  portfolios  to  provide  loss  reserves  as
considered  necessary.  For further  information  see  "Comparison  of Operating
Results - Provision and Reserve for Loan Losses".

COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS

OVERVIEW

The net income of the Company depends  primarily upon net interest  income.  Net
interest  income is the  difference  between the interest  earned on loans,  the
securities  portfolios  and  interest-earning  deposits  and the cost of  funds,
consisting  principally  of the interest  paid on deposits and  borrowings.  The
Company's operations are materially affected by general economic conditions, the
monetary  and fiscal  policies of the Federal  government,  and the  policies of
regulatory  authorities.  Yields and costs have declined  because of the actions
the Federal Reserve took over the last 2 years to reduce interest rates in hopes
of spurring the economy.

NET INCOME

Net income for the  three-month  period  ended March 31,  2003,  of $1.4 million
represents  a 7.7%  increase  as  compared  to the same  period  last year.  The
increase in net income for the period ended March 31, 2003 can be  attributed to
increases  in net  interest  income  of  $649,221  and  non-interest  income  of
$362,065,  as well as decreases in the  provision for loan losses and income tax
expense of $80,000 and $76,559 respectively. These changes were partially offset
by an increase in non-interest expense of $1.1 million during the same period.

INTEREST INCOME

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2003,  interest income decreased 2.4%
as  compared  to  the  same   period  a  year  ago.   The  average   balance  of
interest-earning  assets increased 9.7% but the average yield decreased 75 basis
points  as  compared  to the  same  period a year  ago.  The  yield  on  average
interest-earning  assets  decreased  to 6.05% as  compared to 6.80% for the same
period a year ago.  The  increase  in the  average  balance of  interest-earning
assets had a positive effect on interest income while the reduction in yield had
a negative impact on interest income.

INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest  expense  decreased  22.0% for the  three-month  period ended March 31,
2003,  as compared to the same period a year ago.  This  decrease was due to the
average  cost of  interest-bearing  liabilities  decreasing  104 basis points as
compared to the same period a year ago. The average balance of  interest-bearing
liabilities  increased  8.2% as compared to the same period a year ago. The cost
of interest-bearing  liabilities decreased to 2.67% as compared to 3.71% for the
same period last year.

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003, as compared
to the same period a year ago, increased 18.0%. The increase was due to a larger
decrease  in the cost of  liabilities  versus the yield on assets,  which can be
attributed to the fact that deposits  continue to reprice at lower yields caused
by the Federal  Reserve's rate  reductions.  See "Average  Yield/Cost  Analysis"
table for further information on interest income and interest expense.

                                       14


                           AVERAGE YIELD/COST ANALYSIS

The following  table  contains  information  relating to the  Company's  average
balance  sheet and  reflects  the average  yield on assets and  average  cost of
liabilities  for the periods  indicated.  Such  annualized  yields and costs are
derived  by  dividing  income or expense by the  average  balances  of assets or
liabilities, respectively, for the periods presented. The average loan portfolio
balances include nonaccrual loans.


                                                              For the quarter ended
                                                    March 31, 2003                     March 31, 2002
                                         --------------------------------    -------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)                                            Average                            Average
                                          Average                 Yield/      Average                 Yield/
                                          Balance     Interest     Cost       Balance     Interest     Cost
                                         ---------    --------    -------    --------     --------   -------
                                                                                    
Interest-earning assets:
   Interest-bearing deposits in
     other banks                         $  3,554      $   10      1.13%     $  2,810      $   12     1.71%
   Securities:
      Available for sale                   40,339         493      4.89%       43,398         607     5.59%
      Held to maturity                      7,783         109      5.60%        5,000          89     7.12%
   FHLB stock                               4,124          46      4.46%        4,155          59     5.68%
   Loan portfolio                         418,860       6,526      6.23%      377,481       6,596     6.99%
                                         --------      ------                --------      ------
    Total interest-earning assets         474,660       7,184      6.05%      432,844       7,363     6.80%

Non-interest earning assets                26,266                              23,648
                                         --------                            --------
Total assets                             $500,926                            $456,492
                                         ========                            ========

Interest-bearing liabilities:
   Deposits                               344,844       2,038      2.36%      326,812       2,845     3.48%
   Borrowed funds                          93,473         892      3.82%       78,427         913     4.66%
                                         --------      ------                --------      ------
    Total interest-bearing liabilities    438,317      $2,930      2.67%      405,239      $3,758     3.71%
                                                       ------                              ------
Non-interest bearing liabilities           23,772                              16,859
                                         --------                            --------
    Total liabilities                     462,089                             422,098
    Stockholders' equity                   38,837                              34,394
                                         --------                            --------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
  equity                                 $500,926                            $456,492
                                         ========                            ========

Net interest income                                    $4,254                              $3,605
                                                       ======                              ======
Interest rate spread                                               3.38%                              3.09%
                                                                 ======                             ======

Net yield on interest-earning assets                               3.58%                              3.33%

Percentage of average interest-earning
   assets to average interest-bearing
   liabilities                                                    108.3%                             106.8%
                                                                 ======                             ======


                                       15


PROVISION AND RESERVE FOR LOAN LOSSES

During the three-month  period ended March 31, 2003 the Bank had net charge-offs
against the allowance  for loan losses of $139,952  compared to $213,165 for the
same period in 2002.  This decrease was primarily due to one larger credit being
charged  off during the first  quarter of 2002.  The Bank added  $200,000 to the
allowance  for loan losses for the current  three-month  period  increasing  the
balance to $3.0  million at March 31,  2003.  Management  considers  the current
level of the allowance to be appropriate based on loan composition,  the current
level  of  delinquencies  and  other  non-performing  assets,  overall  economic
conditions  and  other  factors.  Future  increases  to  the  allowance  may  be
necessary,  however, due to changes in loan composition or loan volume,  changes
in economic or market area conditions and other factors.  Additionally,  various
regulatory  agencies,   as  an  integral  part  of  their  examination  process,
periodically  review the Company's  allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may
require the recognition of adjustments to the allowance for loan losses based on
their  judgments  of  information  available  to  them  at  the  time  of  their
examination.

NONINTEREST INCOME

Noninterest income increased by 29.9% for the three-month period ended March 31,
2003,  as  compared  to the same  period a year ago.  The change in  noninterest
income can be  attributed  to gain on sale of loans  increasing  over $1 million
primarily  as a result of the  purchase of Lumina.  The Bank has also started to
sell a larger  percentage of its fixed rate mortgage  loan  originations  in the
secondary market instead of through brokered arrangements. This change causes an
increase in gain on sale of loans and a reduction to service charges and fees on
loans.  During  the  first  quarter  of 2002 the  Bank  sold a  parking  lot for
$500,000, resulting in the gain on sale of real estate, and the gain of $116,766
on sale of securities  was due to selling bonds and purchasing  mortgage  backed
securities to give the Bank greater cash flow. No similar transactions  occurred
during the three months ended March 31, 2003.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2003,  noninterest  expense increased
41.9% as compared to the same period last year.  Compensation  and related costs
increased  58.4%.  Higher personnel costs associated with the purchase of Lumina
accounted for the majority of the increase.  Also, in January 2003,  the Company
granted 117 shares of preferred  stock in the REIT to officers,  directors,  and
Bank  employees  with at least one month of service and certain  other  parties.
Each individual that was granted the preferred stock received one share that had
a $500 value, for an aggregate increase to compensation  expense of $58,500.  In
addition,  the increase  was due to  increases  in costs of  benefits,  staffing
levels and  normal  increases  in  salaries.  Occupancy  and  equipment  expense
increased  $129,721  primarily because of the Lumina purchase and an increase in
depreciation  expense due to upgrades in hardware and software systems purchased
in 2002. The increase in advertising and other  noninterest  expenses of $50,052
and $68,505 respectively, was mainly due to the purchase of Lumina.

INCOME TAXES

The  effective  tax rate for the  three-month  periods  ended March 31, 2003 and
2002, was 30.9% and 35.1% respectively. The decrease resulted from the formation
of Holdings and the REIT in December 2002.

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical  information contained herein, the discussion contains
forward-looking  statements  that  involve  risks  and  uncertainties.  Economic
circumstances,  the Company's operations, and the Company's actual results could
differ  significantly  from those discussed in the  forward-looking  statements.
Some of the  factors  that could cause or  contribute  to such  differences  are
discussed herein,  but also include changes in the economy and interest rates in
the nation,  changes in the Company's  regulatory  environment and the Company's
market area.

ITEM 3 - MARKET RISK

The Company's  primary market risk is interest rate risk.  Interest rate risk is
the result of differing  maturities or repricing  intervals of interest  earning
assets  and  interest  bearing  liabilities  and the  fact  that  rates on these
financial  instruments do not change uniformly.  These conditions may impact the
earnings  generated by the Company's  interest earning assets or the cost of its
interest  bearing  liabilities,  thus directly  impacting the Company's  overall
earnings.  The Company's  management actively monitors and manages interest rate
risk. One way this is  accomplished  is through the development of and adherence
to the Company's  asset/liability  policy.  This policy sets

                                       16


forth  management's  strategy  for  matching  the  risk  characteristics  of the
Company's  interest  earning assets and liabilities so as to mitigate the effect
of changes in the rate  environment.  The Company's  market risk profile has not
changed significantly since December 31, 2002.

ITEM 4 - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated
the Company's  disclosure  controls and  procedures  (as such term is defined in
Rule  13a-14(c)  under the Exchange Act) as of a date within 90 days of the date
of filing of this Form 10-Q.  Based upon such  evaluation,  the Company's  Chief
Executive  Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's
disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There have been no significant  changes in the Company's internal controls or in
other factors that could  significantly  affect internal controls  subsequent to
the date of the evaluation described above.

                                       17


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

           Not applicable

ITEM 2.  CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

      (a)  Not applicable

      (b)  Not applicable

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

      (a)  Not applicable

      (b)  Not applicable

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY-HOLDERS

           None

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

           None

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     (a)  Exhibits

          Exhibit 99 -  CERTIFICATE  PURSUANT  TO 18 U.S.C.  SECTION 1350, AS
                        ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE  SARBANES-OXLEY
                        ACT OF 2002

     (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

          The Company filed a Current  Report on Form 8-K dated January 28, 2003
          to report  fiscal  year 2002  earnings,  a Current  Report on Form 8-K
          dated  March  31,  2003 to report a change  in  auditor  and a Current
          Report  on Form  8-K/A  dated  March  31,  2003 to amend  the Form 8-K
          reporting the change in auditor.

                                       18

                                   SIGNATURES


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


Dated May 14, 2003                 Cooperative Bankshares, Inc.



                                   /s/ Frederick Willetts, III
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                   Frederick Willetts, III
                                   President/Chief Executive Officer

Dated: May 14, 2003                /s/ Todd L. Sammons
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                   Todd L. Sammons
                                   Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer

                                       19

                                  CERTIFICATION


I, Frederick Willetts, III, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cooperative
Bankshares, Inc., certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cooperative Bankshares,
Inc.;

2. Based on my  knowledge,  this  quarterly  report  does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the  circumstances  under which such statements
were made, not  misleading  with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;

3.  Based  on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
information  included in this quarterly  report,  fairly present in all material
respects the financial  condition,  results of operations  and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.  The  registrant's  other  certifying  officer  and  I  are  responsible  for
establishing and maintaining  disclosure  controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

     (a)  Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  to ensure  that
          material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,   including  its
          consolidated subsidiaries,  is made known to us by others within those
          entities,  particularly  during  the  period in which  this  quarterly
          report is being prepared;

     (b)  Evaluated the  effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure  controls
          and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of
          this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

     (c)  Presented  in  this  quarterly   report  our  conclusions   about  the
          effectiveness  of the disclosure  controls and procedures based on our
          evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed,  based on our
most recent evaluation,  to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of
the  registrant's  board or  directors  (or persons  fulfilling  the  equivalent
functions):

     (a)  all  significant  deficiencies  in the design or operation of internal
          controls  which could  adversely  affect the  registrant's  ability to
          record,  process,   summarize  and  report  financial  data  and  have
          identified for the  registrant's  auditors any material  weaknesses in
          internal controls; and

     (b)  any fraud, whether or not material,  that involves management or other
          employees who have a  significant  role in the  registrant's  internal
          controls; and

6. The  registrant's  other  certifying  officer  and I have  indicated  in this
quarterly report whether there were significant  changes in internal controls or
in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to
the date of our most recent  evaluation,  including any corrective  actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 14, 2003


                                      /s/ Frederick Willetts, III
                                      --------------------------------------
                                      Frederick Willetts, III
                                      President and Chief Executive Officer

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                                  CERTIFICATION

I, Todd L.  Sammons,  Senior  Vice  President  and Chief  Financial  Officer  of
Cooperative Bankshares, Inc., certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cooperative Bankshares,
Inc.;

2. Based on my  knowledge,  this  quarterly  report  does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the  circumstances  under which such statements
were made, not  misleading  with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;

3.  Based  on my  knowledge,  the  financial  statements,  and  other  financial
information  included in this quarterly  report,  fairly present in all material
respects the financial  condition,  results of operations  and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.  The  registrant's  other  certifying  officer  and  I  are  responsible  for
establishing and maintaining  disclosure  controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

     (a)  Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  to ensure  that
          material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,   including  its
          consolidated subsidiaries,  is made known to us by others within those
          entities,  particularly  during  the  period in which  this  quarterly
          report is being prepared;

     (b)  Evaluated the  effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure  controls
          and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of
          this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

     (c)  Presented  in  this  quarterly   report  our  conclusions   about  the
          effectiveness  of the disclosure  controls and procedures based on our
          evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed,  based on our
most recent evaluation,  to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of
the  registrant's  board or  directors  (or persons  fulfilling  the  equivalent
functions):

     (a)  all  significant  deficiencies  in the design or operation of internal
          controls  which could  adversely  affect the  registrant's  ability to
          record,  process,   summarize  and  report  financial  data  and  have
          identified for the  registrant's  auditors any material  weaknesses in
          internal controls; and

     (b)  any fraud, whether or not material,  that involves management or other
          employees who have a  significant  role in the  registrant's  internal
          controls; and

6. The  registrant's  other  certifying  officer  and I have  indicated  in this
quarterly report whether there were significant  changes in internal controls or
in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to
the date of our most recent  evaluation,  including any corrective  actions with
regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 14, 2003

                               /s/ Todd L. Sammons
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               Todd L. Sammons
                               Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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