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<TITLE>GATEWAY FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.</TITLE>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;31, 2005
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-<U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
Under the Securities Act of 1933</B>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 1px">
<DIV style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; width: 18%; margin-top: 12pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Gateway Financial Holdings, Inc.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
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    <TD align="center" valign="top">North Carolina<BR>
(State of incorporation)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">56-2264354<BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD>
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    <TD align="center" valign="top">1145 North Road Street Elizabeth City, North Carolina<BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">27909<BR>
(Zip Code)</TD>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Gateway Financial Holdings, Inc.<BR>
2005 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan<BR>
(Full title of the plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">D. Ben Berry<BR>
Gateway Financial Holdings, Inc.<BR>
1145 North Road Street<BR>
Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27909<BR>
(Name and address of agent for service of process)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">(252)&nbsp;334-1511<BR>
(Telephone number of agent for service of process)</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>

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    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
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    <TD width="2%"></TD>
    <TD width="5%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
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    <TD width="2%"></TD>
    <TD width="4%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="5%"></TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of each class</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>of securities to</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><B>Amount to</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><B>offering price per</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><B>aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><B>registration</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><B>be registered (1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><B>share/unit (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><B>offering price (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="3"><B>fee (2)</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, without par value</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">600,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">14.98</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">8,988,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">1,057.88</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
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<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
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<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
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    <TD width="96"></TD>
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<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933 (&#147;Securities Act&#148;), this
Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of additional shares as may be
authorized in the event of an increase in the number of issued shares pursuant to stock
dividends, stock splits or other capital adjustments.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee and based, pursuant to Rule
457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the average of the exercise prices of
the options granted pursuant to the plan to date.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">The following information heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
&#147;Commission&#148;) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), is
incorporated herein by reference:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2004;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since
December&nbsp;31, 2004; and
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;The information set forth under the caption &#147;Description of Our Securities&#148; in the
registrant&#146;s Registration Statement dated September&nbsp;16, 2004 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-119072),
including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating that description.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act after the date of this Registration Statement and before the filing of a
post-effective amendment indicating that all securities offered under the Plan have been sold or
deregistering all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of those documents.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to
the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also
is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this registration statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Not applicable
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Not applicable
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Part&nbsp;5 of Article&nbsp;8 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act permits indemnification of
officers and directors of the Company under certain conditions and subject to certain limitations
and further provides that a corporation has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf
of its officers and directors against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by
him or her in such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as an officer or director, whether
or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under
any other provisions of the Business Corporation Act. In addition, expenses incurred by a director
or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or
proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Company
shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if
it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company
as authorized by the relevant section of the Business Corporation Act. The rights to indemnity
thereunder continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the person.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">The Sixth Article of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company provides that the Company shall
indemnify its directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by Business
Corporation Act.
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">As permitted by Section&nbsp;55-2-02 of the Business Corporation Act, the Seventh Article of the
Company&#146;s Articles of Incorporation provides that a director of the Company shall not be personally
liable for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for (i)&nbsp;acts or
omissions not made in good faith that the director at the time of breach knew or believed were in
conflict with the best interests of the Corporation; (ii)&nbsp;any liability under Section&nbsp;55-8-33 of
the Business Corporation Act (unlawful distributions); or (iii)&nbsp;any transaction from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit (which does not include a director&#146;s compensation or
other incidental benefit for or on account of his service as a director, officer, employee,
independent contractor, attorney, or consultant of the Corporation).
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">The Registrant has an insurance policy covering the directors and officers of the Registrant with
respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act or
otherwise.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Not Applicable
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="margin-top: 6pt">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%"></TD>
    <TD width="2%"></TD>
    <TD width="90%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">EXHIBIT NO.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">DESCRIPTION</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Specimen certificate for Common Stock of Gateway Financial Holdings, Inc
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 of Amendment Number One to the Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-3 dated September&nbsp;20, 2001, Registration No 333-67406.01)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Gateway Financial Holdings, Inc 2005 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term
Incentive Plan</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Maupin Taylor &#038; Ellis, P.A. with respect to the legality of the
securities registered hereby</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Dixon Hughes PLLC</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Counsel is included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Powers of Attorney (included as a part of the signature page to this
Registration Statement)</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(i)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(ii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(iii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
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<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">



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</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 9%"><I>provided, however, </I>that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act
that are incorporated by reference into this registration statement;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference into this
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Signatures</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly cause this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Elizabeth City, State of North Carolina, on the 29th day
of August, 2005.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="33%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">GATEWAY FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ <I>D. Ben Berry</I></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D. Ben Berry</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chief Executive Officer</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each person whose signature appears below authorizes D. Ben Berry and Mark A. Holmes, and each
of them, to file one or more amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration
Statement, which amendments may make such changes in the Registration Statement as either of them
deems appropriate, and each such person hereby appoints D. Ben Berry and Mark A. Holmes, and each
of them, as attorney-in-fact to execute in the name and on behalf of each person individually, and
in each capacity stated below, any such amendment to the Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">NAME</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">TITLE</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">DATE</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ D. Ben Berry</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D. Ben Berry
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman, President and CEO
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ Mark A. Holmes</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mark A. Holmes
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Chief
Financial Officer
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ William Brumsey, III</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;William Brumsey III
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ Jimmie Dixon, Jr.</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jimmie Dixon, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ James H. Ferebee, Jr.</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;James H. Ferebee, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ Charles R. Franklin, Jr.</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Charles R. Franklin, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ Robert Y. Green, Jr.</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Robert Y. Green, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/Robert Willard Luther, III</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Robert Willard Luther, III
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ W. Taylor Johnson, Jr.</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;W. Taylor Johnson, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ Frances Morrisette Norrell</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Frances Morrisette Norrell
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">NAME</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">TITLE</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">DATE</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
W. C. Owens, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">August &#95;&#95;&#95;, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ Olin B. Sykes</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ollin B. Sykes
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ Billy G. Roughton</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Billy G. Roughton
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ Frank T. Williams</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Frank T. Williams
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>/s/ Jerry T. Womack</I>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jerry T. Womack
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">August&nbsp;29, 2005</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

</BODY>
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GATEWAY FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 31, 2005
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under the Securities Act of 1933
Gateway Financial Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
North Carolina
(State of incorporation)
56-2264354
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1145 North Road Street Elizabeth City, North Carolina
(Address of principal executive offices)
27909
(Zip Code)
Gateway Financial Holdings, Inc.
2005 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
D. Ben Berry
Gateway Financial Holdings, Inc.
1145 North Road Street
Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27909
(Name and address of agent for service of process)
(252) 334-1511
(Telephone number of agent for service of process)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of each class
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount of
of securities to
Amount to
offering price per
aggregate
registration
be registered
be registered (1)
share/unit (2)
offering price (2)
fee (2)
Common Stock, without par value
600,000
$
14.98
$
8,988,000
$
1,057.88
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act"), this
Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of additional shares as may be
authorized in the event of an increase in the number of issued shares pursuant to stock
dividends, stock splits or other capital adjustments.
(2)
Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee and based, pursuant to Rule
457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the average of the exercise prices of
the options granted pursuant to the plan to date.
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following information heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), is
incorporated herein by reference:
(a) The registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004;
(b) All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since
December 31, 2004; and
(c) The information set forth under the caption "Description of Our Securities" in the
registrant's Registration Statement dated September 16, 2004 (Registration No. 333-119072),
including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating that description.
All documents filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act after the date of this Registration Statement and before the filing of a
post-effective amendment indicating that all securities offered under the Plan have been sold or
deregistering all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of those documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to
the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also
is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this registration statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Part 5 of Article 8 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act permits indemnification of
officers and directors of the Company under certain conditions and subject to certain limitations
and further provides that a corporation has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf
of its officers and directors against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by
him or her in such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as an officer or director, whether
or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under
any other provisions of the Business Corporation Act. In addition, expenses incurred by a director
or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or
proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Company
shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if
it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company
as authorized by the relevant section of the Business Corporation Act. The rights to indemnity
thereunder continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the person.
The Sixth Article of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company provides that the Company shall
indemnify its directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by Business
Corporation Act.
As permitted by Section 55-2-02 of the Business Corporation Act, the Seventh Article of the
Company's Articles of Incorporation provides that a director of the Company shall not be personally
liable for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for (i) acts or
omissions not made in good faith that the director at the time of breach knew or believed were in
conflict with the best interests of the Corporation; (ii) any liability under Section 55-8-33 of
the Business Corporation Act (unlawful distributions); or (iii) any transaction from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit (which does not include a director's compensation or
other incidental benefit for or on account of his service as a director, officer, employee,
independent contractor, attorney, or consultant of the Corporation).
The Registrant has an insurance policy covering the directors and officers of the Registrant with
respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act or
otherwise.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not Applicable
Item 8. Exhibits.
EXHIBIT NO.
DESCRIPTION
4.1
Specimen certificate for Common Stock of Gateway Financial Holdings, Inc
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Amendment Number One to the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 dated September 20, 2001, Registration No 333-67406.01)
4.2
Gateway Financial Holdings, Inc 2005 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term
Incentive Plan
5.1
Opinion of Maupin Taylor & Ellis, P.A. with respect to the legality of the
securities registered hereby
23.1
Consent of Dixon Hughes PLLC
23.2
Consent of Counsel is included in Exhibit 5.1
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included as a part of the signature page to this
Registration Statement)
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)
to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii)
to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement; and
(iii)
to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
provided, however,
that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act
that are incorporated by reference into this registration statement;
(2) that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
(3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference into this
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly cause this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Elizabeth City, State of North Carolina, on the 29th day
of August, 2005.
GATEWAY FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
By:
/s/
D. Ben Berry
D. Ben Berry
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below authorizes D. Ben Berry and Mark A. Holmes, and each
of them, to file one or more amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration
Statement, which amendments may make such changes in the Registration Statement as either of them
deems appropriate, and each such person hereby appoints D. Ben Berry and Mark A. Holmes, and each
of them, as attorney-in-fact to execute in the name and on behalf of each person individually, and
in each capacity stated below, any such amendment to the Registration Statement.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
NAME
TITLE
DATE
/s/ D. Ben Berry
D. Ben Berry
Chairman, President and CEO
August 29, 2005
/s/ Mark A. Holmes
Mark A. Holmes
Chief
Financial Officer
August 29, 2005
/s/ William Brumsey, III
William Brumsey III
Director
August 29, 2005
/s/ Jimmie Dixon, Jr.
Jimmie Dixon, Jr.
Director
August 29, 2005
/s/ James H. Ferebee, Jr.
James H. Ferebee, Jr.
Director
August 29, 2005
/s/ Charles R. Franklin, Jr.
Charles R. Franklin, Jr.
Director
August 29, 2005
/s/ Robert Y. Green, Jr.
Robert Y. Green, Jr.
Director
August 29, 2005
/s/Robert Willard Luther, III
Robert Willard Luther, III
Director
August 29, 2005
/s/ W. Taylor Johnson, Jr.
W. Taylor Johnson, Jr.
Director
August 29, 2005
/s/ Frances Morrisette Norrell
Frances Morrisette Norrell
Director
August 29, 2005
NAME
TITLE
DATE
W. C. Owens, Jr.
Director
August ___, 2005
/s/ Olin B. Sykes
Ollin B. Sykes
Director
August 29, 2005
/s/ Billy G. Roughton
Billy G. Roughton
Director
August 29, 2005
/s/ Frank T. Williams
Frank T. Williams
Director
August 29, 2005
/s/ Jerry T. Womack
Jerry T. Womack
Director
August 29, 2005