March 14, 2006




Dear Fellow Stockholder:

        We cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
National Bankshares, Inc. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2006,
at 3:00 p.m. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Custom Catering Center at
902 Patrick Henry Drive, at the intersection of North Main Street in Blacksburg.
A map and directions to Custom Catering are on the reverse of this letter.

        The attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement describe the
formal business to be transacted at the meeting. We will be electing your
directors, and we will also report on the operations of Bankshares.

        YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. On
behalf of the Board of Directors, we urge you to please sign, date and return
the Proxy in the enclosed postage-paid envelope as soon as possible, even if you
currently plan to attend the meeting. This will not prevent you from voting in
person but will assure that your vote is counted if you are unable to attend the
meeting.

        Thank you for your interest and investment in National Bankshares, Inc.

                                   Sincerely,
                                   /s/ James G. Rakes
                                   _____________________
                                   James G. Rakes
                                   Chairman
                                   President and  Chief Executive Officer





[GRAPHIC OMITTED - Map of Blacksburg, Virginia]


DIRECTIONS TO CUSTOM CATERING CENTER


FROM THE NORTH:

Exit left from US Route 460 at first Blacksburg exit to Business Route 460
(North Main Street).
Proceed south on North Main Street to traffic light just past Food Lion Plaza.
Turn right at traffic light onto Patrick Henry Drive, and turn at first right
into Custom Catering Center.


FROM THE SOUTH:

Exit right from US Route 460 Bypass at
first Prices Fork Road exit (Downtown).
Follow Prices Fork Road to its end at the
intersection with North Main Street.
Turn left onto North Main Street.  Proceed
north to second traffic light, at the intersection of Patrick Henry Drive. Turn
left at Patrick Henry Drive, and turn at first right into Custom Catering
Center.







                  NOTICE OF 2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS





To the Stockholders of National Bankshares, Inc.:

        This is your notice that the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
National Bankshares, Inc. ("Bankshares") will be held at the Custom Catering
Center at 902 Patrick Henry Drive, at the intersection of North Main Street in
Blacksburg, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at 3:00 p.m. The Meeting is
for the purpose of considering and acting upon:

1.      The election of three Class 1 directors for a term of three years each.
2.      The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the
        Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

            NOTE:     The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business
                      to come before the Meeting.

        Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 3, 2006
are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting, or at any
adjournments of the Meeting.

        Your attention is directed to the Proxy Statement accompanying this
Notice for a more complete statement of the matters proposed to be acted upon at
the Meeting.

        To assure that your shares are represented at the meeting, please
complete, date, sign and mail promptly the enclosed proxy, for which a return
envelope is provided. The proxy will not be used if you attend and vote in
person at the meeting. You may revoke your proxy prior to actual voting of the
proxy.

                               BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                               /s/ Marilyn B. Buhyoff
                               ----------------------------------
                               Marilyn B. Buhyoff
                               Secretary and Counsel
Blacksburg, Virginia
March 14, 2006





                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                                       OF
                            NATIONAL BANKSHARES, INC.
                               101 HUBBARD STREET
                              BLACKSBURG, VA 24060
                                 P.O. BOX 90002
                            BLACKSBURG, VA 24062-9002
                                  540/951-6300
                           www.nationalbankshares.com
                                 --------------
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                             TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2006

            This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the Board of Directors (the "Board")
of National Bankshares, Inc. ("Bankshares" or the "Company") to be used at the
2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Custom Catering Center at
902 Patrick Henry Drive, at the intersection of North Main Street, Blacksburg,
Virginia, at 3:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, and at any adjournments of
the Meeting. The approximate mailing date of the Proxy Statement, the Notice of
Annual Meeting and the accompanying Proxy is March 14, 2006.

                              REVOCATION OF PROXIES

            Stockholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them at
any time prior to the actual voting of the proxies. Proxies may be revoked by
written notice received prior to the Meeting, by attending the Meeting and
voting in person or by submitting a signed proxy with a later date. A written
notice revoking a previously executed proxy should be sent to National
Bankshares, Inc., P.O. Box 90002, Blacksburg, Virginia 24062-9002, Attention:
James G. Rakes. Unless revoked, the shares represented by properly executed
proxies will be voted at the Meeting according to the instructions contained in
the proxy. Where no instructions are given, proxies will be voted for the
nominees for directors set forth in Proposal No. 1.

            An Annual Report to Stockholders, including the financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2005, is being mailed to you at the same time as
this Proxy Statement, but should not be considered proxy solicitation material.

                      VOTING SECURITIES AND STOCK OWNERSHIP

            As of March 14, 2006, Bankshares had 3,506,587 shares of Common
Stock ($2.50 par value) issued and outstanding. Each of the shares is entitled
to one vote at the Annual Meeting. Only those stockholders of record at the
close of business on March 3, 2006 will be entitled to vote at the Meeting or at
any adjournments.

            A majority of votes entitled to be cast on matters to be considered
at the Annual Meeting constitutes a quorum. If a share is represented for any
purpose at the Annual Meeting, it is deemed to be present for purposes of
establishing a quorum. Abstentions and shares held of record by a broker or its
nominee ("Broker Shares") which are voted on any matter are included in
determining the number of votes present or represented at the Annual Meeting.
Broker Shares that are not voted on any matter will not be included in
determining whether a quorum is present. If a quorum is established, directors
will be elected by a plurality of votes cast by shares entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting. Votes that are withheld and Broker Shares that are not voted on
any matter will not be included in determining the number of votes cast.

                  STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

            As of March 3, 2006, Bankshares knows of no single person or group
who is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of
the Company.

               STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

            The following table presents the beneficial ownership of National
Bankshares, Inc. Common Stock as of March 3, 2006, by each of the directors,
each nominee for director and each executive officer named in the Compensation
Table and all nominees, directors and executive officers as a group. Except as
otherwise noted, the named individual has sole voting and investment power with
respect to the stock.

1





Name of                                     Shares of Common                    Percentage
Beneficial Owner                            Stock Beneficially                  Of
                                            Owned as of March 3, 2006           Class
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         
Lawrence J. Ball                                      100                       *
L. Allen Bowman                                    13,999                       *
J. Robert Buchanan                                 19,076(1.)                   *
Marilyn B. Buhyoff                                 23,696(2.)                   *
F. Brad Denardo                                    27,332(3.)                   *
Paul A. Duncan                                      6,650(4.)                   *
Jack H. Harry                                      43,330(5.)                   1.24%
Jack M. Lewis                                       1,028                       *
Mary G. Miller                                        501                       *
William A. Peery                                    1,125(6.)                   *
James G. Rakes                                     63,448(7.)                   1.81%
Glenn P. Reynolds                                   2,096(8.)                   *
James M. Shuler                                    12,966(9.)                   *
Jeffrey R. Stewart                                 22,200                       *
All Nominees, Current Directors and
 Executive Officers as a Group (14 persons)       237,547                       6.77%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Represents less than 1% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock.
(1.) Includes 1,076 shares owned through National Bankshares, Inc. Employee
Stock Ownership Plan and 17,500 shares in vested options which may be exercised
as of March 14, 2006.
(2.) Includes 449 shares owned jointly with spouse, 4,497 shares owned through
National Bankshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan and 16,750 shares in
vested options which may be exercised as of March 3, 2006.
(3.) Includes 2,267 shares owned jointly with spouse, 7,526 shares owned through
National Bankshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan and 16,500 shares in
vested options which may be exercised as of March 3, 2006.
(4.) Includes 307 shares owned by spouse and 1,657 shares owned by spouse as
custodian for grandchildren.
(5.) Includes 12,900 shares owned by spouse, 8,175 shares owned jointly with
spouse, and 3,009 shares owned jointly with son.
(6.) Includes 36 shares owned as custodian for son.
(7.) Includes 5,600 shares owned jointly with spouse, 12,852 shares owned
through National Bankshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan and 33,500
shares in vested options which may be exercised as of March 3, 2006.
(8.) Includes 528 shares owned by spouse.
(9.) Includes 1,919 shares owned by spouse and 213 shares owned jointly with
spouse.

            Based upon the written representations of our directors and
executive officers that no other reports were required, and upon a review of SEC
Forms 3 and 4 filed during 2005, we believe that all of our directors and
executive officers complied with the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of
the Securities Act of 1934.

                     PROPOSAL NO. 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

            Bankshares' articles of incorporation provide that the directors
will be divided into three classes (1, 2 and 3) with each class as nearly equal
in number as possible and the term of office of each class ending in successive
years. The articles of incorporation currently also provide that the number of
directors shall be set by the bylaws, but shall not be less than nine, nor more
than twenty-six. For the purpose of the election of directors at the Annual
Meeting, the number of directors set forth in the bylaws is nine. The current
term of office of the Class 1 directors expires at this 2006 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. The terms of Class 2 and Class 3 directors will expire in 2007 and
2008, respectively.

            The Board of Directors has nominated the serving Class 1 director,
Mary G. Miller, to serve a three-year term to expire at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders in 2009. The remaining serving Class 1 directors, L. Allen Bowman
and Paul A. Duncan, are retiring from the Board of Directors at the completion
of their term because they have reached mandatory retirement age as set out in
Bankshares' bylaws. Therefore, they will not stand for re-election at the
upcoming Annual Meeting. The Nominating Committee, consisting entirely of
non-management directors, recommended Lawrence J. Ball and Glenn P. Reynolds as
nominees for Class 1 director, and they were both nominated by the Board of
Directors to serve a three-year term expiring at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders in 2009.

            It is the intention of the persons named as proxies, unless
instructed otherwise, to vote for the election of the three nominees for Class 1
director. Each nominee has agreed to serve if elected. If any of the nominees
shall unexpectedly be unable to serve, the shares represented by all valid
proxies will be voted for the remaining nominees and any other person or persons

2


who may be designated by the Board. At this time, the Board knows of no reason
why any nominee might be unable to serve.

            The following information is provided with respect to the three
nominees to serve as Class 1 director and the six incumbent directors who will
be continuing in office following the Annual Meeting. All information is
provided as of March 3, 2006. No director or nominee is related by blood,
marriage or adoption to any other director, nominee or executive officer. No
director or nominee serves as a director of any company which has a class of
securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, or is subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or
of any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company
Act of 1940. Several Directors also currently serve as a director of one or all
of the wholly owned subsidiaries of Bankshares, The National Bank of Blacksburg
("NBB"), Bank of Tazewell County ("BTC") and National Bankshares Financial
Services, Inc. ("NBFS"). Each Director, except for Mr. Rakes, has been
determined to be independent by the Board of Directors.

Name and Age;                   Principal Occupation and Business Experience
Director of Bankshares Since    (for the past five years unless otherwise noted)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   NOMINEES
                               CLASS 1 DIRECTORS
                                    (Serving until 2009 Annual Meeting)
Lawrence J. Ball (51)               Vice President and General Manager, Moog
                                    Components Group (High Tech Manufacturing);
                                    prior thereto
                                    President, Northrop Grumman Poly-Scientific
                                    Blacksburg, VA

Mary G. Miller (55)                 President, Interactive Design & Development,
2003                                Inc. (Training Software Development and
                                    Application) Blacksburg, VA
Glenn P. Reynolds (53)              President, Reynolds Architects Incorporated,
                                    (Architect), Blacksburg, VA

                        DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
                              CLASS 2 DIRECTORS
                      (Serving until 2007 Annual Meeting)

Jack M. Lewis (62)                  President, New River Community College;
2004                                prior thereto
                                    Dean of New River Community College
                                    Dublin, VA

James G. Rakes (61)                 Chairman, President and CEO of Bankshares
1986                                and NBB
                                    Chairman, President and Treasurer of NBFS
                                    NBB, BTC and NBFS Board Member
                                    Blacksburg, VA

Jeffrey R. Stewart (73)             Educational Consultant;
1986                                Blacksburg, VA

                               CLASS 3 DIRECTORS
                     (Serving until 2008 Annual Meeting)

Jack H. Harry (68)                  President, Harry Enterprises, Inc.
2005                                (Investment and Rental Real Estate)
                                    BTC Board Member
                                    Tazewell, VA

William A. Peery (54)               President, Cargo Oil Co., Inc. (Convenience
2005                                Stores and Petroleum Sales); prior thereto,
                                    Corporate Officer, Cargo Oil, Inc.
                                    Tazewell, VA

James M. Shuler (62)                Member, Virginia House of Delegates
2002                                Retired; prior thereto President, Companion
                                    Animal Clinic, Inc. (Veterinarian)
                                    NBB Board Member
                                    Blacksburg, VA

The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote "For" all of the
nominees for Class 1 director.

3



                          BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS,
                     COMMITTEES, COMPENSATION AND ATTENDANCE
                          COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS

            Board of Directors Meetings

            In 2005, the Board of Directors of Bankshares held nine regular
meetings and two special meetings. The Board met bi-monthly until July 1, 2005,
and it now meets monthly.

            Board Committees

            The Bankshares Board has standing executive, audit, compensation and
nominating committees. Mr. Rakes is the chairman of the Executive Committee, and
Mr. Bowman and Dr. Stewart served on the Committee. The Executive Committee met
six times in 2005. The Audit Committee, which is chaired by Dr. Stewart, is made
up of Mr. Duncan, Mr. Harry and Dr. Lewis. The Audit Committee had four meetings
in 2005. In 2005 the Compensation Committee was comprised of Mr. Duncan, Mr.
Harry, Dr. Lewis, Dr. Miller, Mr. Peery, Dr. Shuler and Dr. Stewart, and Mr.
Bowman served as its chairman. The Compensation Committee met two times during
2005. Mr. Bowman was also the chairman of the Nominating Committee, and Dr.
Miller, Mr. Peery and Dr. Shuler were its members. The Nominating Committee met
twice in 2005.

            Board Compensation

            Members of the Board of Directors of Bankshares are paid $800
(increased from $500) for each regular or special Board meeting they attend.
They are paid a $400 committee attendance fee. Directors are also paid annual
Board retainer fees in an amount equal to the highest Board annual retainer fee
paid by any subsidiary of National Bankshares, Inc. The Bankshares Board annual
retainer fee is offset by the amount of annual retainer fees received by each
director for his or her service on the Board of Directors of any of the
Company's subsidiaries. The chairman of the Audit Committee and the Compensation
Committee receive an additional $1,200 annual retainer fee. The annual retainer
fees paid by Bankshares to its directors in 2005 were as follows: Mr. Bowman -
$7,700, Mr. Duncan - $6,500, Mr. Harry - $2,500, Dr. Lewis - $6,500, Dr. Miller
- $6,500, Mr. Peery - $6,500 and Dr. Stewart - $3,850.

             Mr. Rakes and Dr. Shuler, Bankshares directors who are also
directors of NBB, receive an annual retainer fee of $6,500 for their service on
the NBB Board. They receive an NBB Board meeting attendance fee of $500 and they
are paid $400 for each committee meeting they attend. Both Mr. Bowman and Dr.
Stewart retired from the NBB Board during 2005. Mr. Bowman served until April
13, and Dr. Stewart served until October 12. They received regular fees for
service until their retirement.

            In 2005 two former NBB directors, Mr. Bowman and Mr. Duncan,
received payments from an NBB Board of Directors deferred compensation plan in
which they participated from 1985 to 1989. Mr. Bowman was paid $5,822 and Mr.
Duncan received $2,180 during 2005.

            Mr. Harry and Mr. Rakes, directors of Bankshares who were also
members of the Board of Directors of BTC in 2005, are paid an annual retainer of
$4,000, a holiday bonus of $400 and they receive a fee of $400 per meeting for
their attendance at regular and special BTC Board meetings and committee
meetings.

            Board Attendance

            During 2005, each incumbent director, except for Dr. Shuler,
attended 75% or more of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors
of Bankshares and of the Board committees on which he or she served. Dr.
Shuler's obligations in the Virginia House of Delegates prevented his attendance
at certain Board and Committee meetings. The Board does not have a formal policy
regarding directors' attendance at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In 2005,
eight of nine Bankshares directors attended the Annual Meeting.

            Communications with Directors

            Stockholders wishing to communicate with directors or with specified
individual directors should do so in writing mailed to National Bankshares,
Inc., P. O. Box 90002, Blacksburg, Virginia 24062-9002, Attention: Board of
Directors. All stockholder communications are forwarded to the Board.

4


                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

            Executive Compensation Summary Table

               The following table sets forth information concerning total
compensation earned or paid to those executive officers of the Company who
received total annual salary and bonus in excess of $100,000. These executive
officers were James G. Rakes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of NBB and
Chairman, President and Treasurer of NBFS; F. Brad Denardo, Corporate Officer of
the Company and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NBB; J.
Robert Buchanan, Treasurer of the Company and Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of BTC; and Marilyn B. Buhyoff, Secretary & Counsel of the
Company, Trust Officer and Counsel of NBB and Executive Vice President of NBFS.


                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
                         Annual Compensation Long-Term
                                                             Compensation
Name and Principal                                           Number    of    Stock All Other
Position                     Year    Salary        Bonus     Options               Compensation
                                     ($)(1.)      ($)(2.)    (Shares) Granted(3.)  ($)(4.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           
James G. Rakes               2005    369,600      166,400            7,500               11,700
Chairman, President and CEO  2004    332,650      169,000            7,500               25,200
of Bankshares                2003    275,450      147,500            7,500               24,400
President and CEO of NBB
President and Treasurer of
NBFS

F. Brad Denardo              2005    177,800        ---              4,000                5,900
Corporate Officer of         2004    156,515        ---              4,000               16,280
Bankshares                   2003    150,360        ---              4,000               16,270
Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer
of NBB

J. Robert Buchanan           2005    101,250        ---              4,000               4,580
Treasurer of Bankshares      2004     91,000        ---              4,000               9,600
Executive Vice President &   2003     84,120        ---              2,500              10,200
Chief Operating Officer of
BTC

Marilyn B. Buhyoff           2005    113,300        ---              4,000               5,400
Secretary & Counsel of       2004    104,250        ---              4,000              12,300
Bankshares                   2003     95,600        ---              2,500              11,300
Trust Officer & Counsel
of NBB
Executive Vice President of
NBFS


(1.) Includes amounts received by Mr. Rakes as directors' fees from Bankshares,
    NBB and BTC and amounts received by Mr. Denardo as directors' fees from NBB.
(2.) Discretionary bonuses were paid to Mr. Rakes for performance in 2003, 2004,
    and 2005. In addition, contributions for Mr. Rakes' benefit of $37,500,
    $45,000 and $30,000 were made for 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively, to the
    current Capital Accumulation Plan described under "Employment Agreement and
    Change in Control Arrangements".
  (3.) In 2005 grants of incentive stock options were made to Mr. Rakes, Mr.
    Denardo, Mr. Buchanan and Mrs. Buhyoff under the National Bankshares, Inc.
    1999 Stock Option Plan.
(4.) For 2002, 2003 and 2004, includes amounts contributed on behalf of Mr.
    Rakes, Mr. Denardo, Mr. Buchanan and Mrs. Buhyoff as a matching contribution
    under the National Bankshares, Inc. Retirement Accumulation Plan and amounts
    contributed in 2003 and 2004 to the National Bankshares, Inc. Employee Stock
    Ownership Plan. For 2005, includes only matching contributions to the
    Retirement Accumulation Plan, as the contribution to the Employee Stock
    Ownership Plan has not yet been allocated among the participants.

    Mr. Rakes, Mr. Denardo and Mr. Buchanan each received certain perquisites
  and other personal benefits, the amount of which is not shown, because the
  aggregate amount of that compensation during the year did not exceed the
  lesser of $50,000 or 10% of total salary and bonus.

        Option Grants

        The following table shows all grants of stock options to Mr. Rakes,
Mr. Denardo,  Mr. Buchanan and Mrs. Buhyoff in 2005.

5




                                        Individual Grants
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                   % of Total
                                    Options                               Potential Realizable Value
                                   Granted to   Exercise or                at Assumed Rate of Stock
                       Options    Employees in  Base Price   Expiration      Price Appreciation for
Name                  Granted(#1)  Fiscal Year     ($/Sh)        Date             Option Term($)
--------------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ----------------------------
                                                                               5%            10%
                                                                      
James G. Rakes           7,500       38.47%        46.00      11/08/15       217,125       549,975
F. Brad Denardo          4,000       20.51%        46.00      11/08/15       115,800       293,320
J. Robert Buchanan       4,000       20.51%        46.00      11/08/15       115,800       293,320
Marilyn B. Buhyoff       4,000       20.51%        46.00      11/08/15       115,800       293,320


1. All granted options are vested as of March 3, 2006.

            The following table shows certain information with respect to the
value and number of unexercised options at December 31, 2005 for Mr. Rakes, Mr.
Denardo, Mr. Buchanan and Mrs. Buhyoff.



                                                Number of Shares      Value of Unexercised In the
                                             Underlying Unexercised    Money Options at December
                     Number of               Options at December 31,          31, 2005 ($)
                       Shares                          2005
                    Acquired on    Value    ------------------------- ----------------------------
Name                  Exercise  Realized($)        Exercisable               Exercisable(1.)
------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------------------- ----------------------------
                                                                   
James G. Rakes         5,125      116,845           33,500                     224,290
F. Brad Denardo          0           0              16,500                       95,595
J. Robert Buchanan       0           0              17,500                     169,090
Marilyn B. Buhyoff       0           0              18,750                     187,125


1.      Calculated by subtracting the exercise price from the fair market value
        of the stock at December 31, 2005.

                             EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

            Bankshares maintains several qualified and non-qualified employee
benefit plans for employees of participating employers in the plans. These
benefit plans are described below.

            Retirement Plans

            Until December 31, 2001, NBB maintained a tax-qualified,
noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan for qualified employees called
The National Bank of Blacksburg Retirement Income Plan (the "NBB Plan").
Effective on December 31, 2001, the NBB Plan was amended; its name was changed
to The National Bankshares, Inc. Retirement Income Plan (the NBI Plan); and the
Bank of Tazewell County Employee Pension Plan was merged into the NBI Plan. The
NBB (now NBI) Plan became effective on February 1, 1984, when NBB amended and
restated its previous pension plan. This plan covers all officers and employees
who have reached age twenty-one and have had one year of eligible service on the
January 1, or July 1 enrollment dates. Employee benefits are fully vested after
five years of service, with no partial vesting. Prior to the December 31, 2001
plan amendment, retirement benefits at the normal retirement age of sixty-five
were calculated at 66% of the employee's average monthly compensation multiplied
by the number of years of service, up to a maximum of twenty-five years. After
December 31, 2001, retirement benefits at the normal retirement age are
calculated at 1.75% of average monthly compensation multiplied by the number of
years of service, up to thirty-five years. Added to this is .65% of "excess
monthly average compensation" (defined in the NBI Plan as the amount of the
average monthly compensation that is in excess of a participant's monthly Social
Security covered compensation, generally the rounded average of the Social
Security taxable wage bases) multiplied by the number of years of service, up to
thirty-five years. Average monthly compensation is determined by averaging
compensation over the five highest paid consecutive years in the employee's
final ten years of employment. Retirement benefits under the NBI Plan are
normally payable in the form of a straight life annuity, with ten years
guaranteed; but other payment options may be elected under certain
circumstances. Benefits accrued by participants in the NBB Plan and in the BTC
Plan prior to December 31, 2001, will be calculated based upon compensation and

6


service under the old NBB and BTC Plan formulas. Benefits accrued by
participants after January 1, 2002, are calculated under the NBI Plan formulas.
The compensation covered by the NBI Plan includes the total of all amounts paid
to a participant for personal services reported on the participant's federal
income tax withholding statement (Form W-2), except that earnings were limited
to $200,000, indexed for the cost of living, until 1994. In 1994, the earnings
limit was decreased to $150,000, which is indexed for the cost of living after
1994. For 2005, covered compensation for Mr. Rakes is $210,000.

            The following table shows the estimated annual benefits payable from
the NBB Plan upon retirement based on specific compensation and years of
credited service classifications, assuming retirement on January 1, 2002, at age
sixty-five.


                           NBB PENSION PLAN TABLE
                              Years of Service
   Remuneration          15             20            25            30            35
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               
       $   100,000     40,000         53,333         66,667        66,667        66,667
           125,000     50,000         66,667         83,333        83,333        83,333
           150,000     60,000         80,000        100,000       100,000       100,000
           175,000     64,000         85,333        106,667       106,667       106,667
           200,000     64,000         85,333        106,667       106,667       106,667

The benefit amounts listed in the table are computed as a straight life annuity.

        The following table shows the estimated annual benefits
payable from the NBI Plan upon retirement based upon specific compensation and
years of credited services classifications, assuming continuation of the plan
and retirement on January 1, 2006, at age sixty-five.


                           NBI PENSION PLAN TABLE
                              Years of Service
   Remuneration          15             20            25            30            35
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               
     $100,000          31,252         41,670         52,087         62,504       72,922
      125,000          40,252        53, 670        67, 087         80,504       93,922
      150,000          49,252        65, 670        82, 087         98,504      114,922
      175,000          58,252        77, 670        97, 087        116,504      135,922
      200,000          67,252        89, 670        112,087        134,504      157,922
      210,000          70,852         94,470        118,087       141, 504      165,322
     and above


Until December 31, 2001, BTC maintained a tax-qualified
non-contributory defined benefit retirement plan for qualified employees under
the Bank of Tazewell County Employee Pension Plan (the "BTC Plan"). The BTC Plan
was initially effective on October 20, 1965, but was amended in its entirety
effective October 20, 1989 and was merged with the NBB Plan to become the NBI
Plan on December 31, 2001. The BTC Plan covered all officers and employees who,
as of April 20 or October 20 of any year, had reached the age of twenty-one and
who had one year of service. Employee benefits were fully vested after five
years, with no partial vesting. Benefits generally commenced on the later of a
participant reaching age 65 or the date on which the participant completed five
years of participation in the BTC Plan. The normal form of benefit was a monthly
pension payable during the participant's lifetime with a minimum of 120 monthly
payments, but other payment options could be elected under certain
circumstances. In general, the standard monthly pension benefit was equal to the
sum of (1) 1.5% of "plan compensation" multiplied by the years of credited
service (but not in excess of 35 years) at normal retirement date, plus (2) .59%
of "plan compensation" in excess of $800 multiplied by the years of credited
service (but not in excess of 35 years). "Plan compensation" is equal to the
highest monthly average obtained from the sum of any of a participant's five
annual compensation amounts divided by the number of months such participant was
compensated during that period. For purposes of this calculation, annual
compensation may not exceed $200,000. In 1994, the earnings limit was decreased
to $150,000, which is indexed for the cost of living after 1994.

        The following table shows the estimated annual benefits

7


payable from the BTC Plan upon retirement for specific compensation and years of
service classifications, assuming continuation of the plan and retirement on
January 1, 2002, at age sixty-five. Benefit amounts in the table are computed as
a straight life annuity.


                           BTC PENSION PLAN TABLE
                              Years of Service
   Remuneration          15             20            25            30            35
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              
            $25,000       6,988        9,317        11,647        13,976        16,305
             50,000      14,825       19,767        24,709        29,651        34,593
             75,000      22,663        30,217       37,772        45,326        52,880
            100,000      30,500        40,667       50,834        61,001        71,168


        On January 1, 2006, Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer, James G. Rakes, had twenty-four years of credited service in the NBB
and NBI Retirement Income Plans, and at normal retirement he will have
twenty-eight years of credited service. On January 1, 2006, Corporate Officer,
Brad Denardo, had twenty-three years of credited service in the NBB and NBI
Retirement Income Plans, and at normal retirement he will have thirty-four years
of credited service. Treasurer J. Robert Buchanan had eight years of service in
the NBB and NBI Retirement Plans, and at his normal retirement date he will have
seventeen years of credited service. Marilyn B. Buhyoff, Secretary and Counsel,
had eighteen years of credited service in the NBB and NBI Retirement Income
Plans, and at normal retirement she will have twenty-six years of credited
service.

            Other Plans

            National Bankshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Bankshares
sponsors a non-contributory Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP"), in which
NBB, BTC, and NBFS were participating employers for 2005. All full-time
employees who are over the age of 21 and who have been employed for one year are
eligible to participate. Contributions under the ESOP are discretionary for each
participating employer and participants are not permitted to make contributions
to the plan. Contributions are allocated to a participant's account based upon a
participant's covered compensation, which is W-2 compensation. The contributions
are fully vested after five years.

            National Bankshares, Inc. Retirement Accumulation Plan. Bankshares
sponsors the NBI Retirement Accumulation Plan which qualifies under IRS Code
Section 401(k) (the "401(k) plan"). For 2005, NBB, BTC, and NBFS were
participating employers. All full-time employees who have one year of service
and who are over the age of 21 are eligible to participate. Participants may
contribute up to 100% of their total annual compensation to the plan. Employee
contributions are matched by the employer at 100% for the first 4% of salary
contributed and at 50% of the next 2% of salary contributed. Employees are fully
vested at all times in contributions and employer match sums.

            Deferred Compensation Plan. From 1985 to 1989 NBB maintained a
voluntary deferred compensation plan for its directors, which permitted a
director to defer receipt of a portion of directors fees for a period of five
years. NBB purchased life insurance on all of the participants in amounts that,
in the aggregate, actuarially fund its future liabilities under the program.
While the insurance policies were purchased under the directors' deferred
compensation plan, there is no obligation to use any insurance funds from policy
loans or death benefits to curtail the deferred compensation liability. Under
the terms of the plan, at age 65, a participant or beneficiary receives 120
monthly benefit payments. The plan also provides for 120 monthly payments to the
participant's beneficiary in the event of the participant's death prior to age
65. Mr. Rakes is entitled to receive 120 months of payments of $1,610.50 at age
65.

            Employment Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements

            Bankshares and Mr. Rakes have entered into an employment agreement
(the "Agreement") effective January 1, 2002. The Agreement provides for the
continued employment of Mr. Rakes as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Bankshares and NBB, at an annual base salary of at least $225,500. In addition,
the Agreement provides that Mr. Rakes may be awarded an annual bonus and certain
stock-based incentives in the discretion of the Board, as well as employee and
executive fringe benefits. The Agreement has a rolling three year term.

8



            The Agreement also includes a Capital Accumulation Plan ("CAP") for
the benefit of Mr. Rakes. Under the Agreement, the total amount allocated to the
CAP for the calendar year is established by the Board of Directors with a
maximum of $60,000 per year to be allocated. This total amount is then divided
equally between two target areas: (1) return on equity, and (2) return on
assets. The amount actually contributed to the CAP for a year is based on
Bankshares' performance relative to the average performance of a peer group of
banks in the two target areas during that year. A minimum of 85% of the peer
group average must be achieved in a target area for any contribution to be made
for that target area. The amount of the contribution for each target area
increases beyond the minimum contribution to the extent Bankshares' performance
exceeds 85% of the peer group average with a maximum contribution for
performance which equals 150% or more of the peer group average. Contributions
to the CAP for achievements in any calendar year must be made prior to June 1 of
the next following year. Accrued CAP benefits become payable on January 1, 2009,
or earlier, should Mr. Rakes retire or his employment terminate under certain
circumstances. Once the CAP benefits become payable, they are paid over five
years unless Mr. Rakes chooses, with the Board's consent, to receive them in a
lump sum or over three years. The CAP contribution for 2005 was $30,000.

            The Agreement has provisions which have the effect of continuing Mr.
Rakes' benefits and compensation under the Agreement beyond his employment with
Bankshares if Bankshares terminates his employment "without cause" (as defined
in the Agreement) or Mr. Rakes resigns "for good reason" (as defined in the
Agreement). Under these circumstances, Mr. Rakes will continue to receive his
base salary and certain executive benefits for 24 months after his employment
terminates.

            The Agreement also contains provisions which can have the effect of
prolonging, enhancing and accelerating Mr. Rakes' benefits and compensation
under certain circumstances involving a change in control of Bankshares. A
change in control involves circumstances generally where an individual or group
acquires 20% or more of Bankshares' stock or a merger occurs which results in a
change in the majority of Bankshares' Board of Directors and Bankshares'
shareholders do not constitute a majority of the shareholders in the surviving
company.

            The term of the Agreement is automatically extended for three years
from the date of a change in control and Mr. Rakes is entitled to continue to
receive all of his compensation and benefits during that period, except that he
becomes entitled to minimum annual stock-based awards equal to one-third of his
Base Salary. In addition, if after a change in control, Mr. Rakes' employment is
terminated by Bankshares "without cause" (as defined in the Agreement) or by Mr.
Rakes "for good reason" (as defined in the Agreement), he becomes entitled to
receive a salary continuance benefit equal to 2.99 times the Executive's average
annual compensation includable in the Executive's annual gross income for the
period of five years preceding the change in control, a continuation of certain
executive benefits for 36 months, and certain enhancements to his retirement
benefits.

            Mr. Denardo and Mrs. Buhyoff both have entered into change in
control agreements with Bankshares. These agreements also define a change in
control as an individual or a group acquiring 20% or more of Bankshares' stock,
or when a merger occurs in which there is a change in the majority of
Bankshares' Board of Directors and Bankshares' shareholders are not a majority
of the shareholders in the surviving company. The Agreements provide that Mr.
Denardo and Mrs. Buhyoff will be entitled to receive an amount equal to two
times their average annual compensation included in annual gross income for the
period of five years preceding the change in control if the employer terminates
them other than "for cause" (as defined in the Agreements) or if they
voluntarily terminate their employment "for good reason" (as defined in the
Agreements). The agreements are effective until employment is terminated.

                              NOMINATING COMMITTEE

        National Bankshares, Inc. has a standing Nominating Committee that has
been chaired by Mr. Bowman. Dr. Miller, Mr. Peery and Dr. Shuler served on the
Committee in 2005. Each of these directors is independent, as that term is
defined in the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. The Nominating Committee's sole
function is to review and recommend nominees for the Board of Directors. A
current copy of the Committee's Charter is available on the Company's web site
at www.nationalbankshares.com. The Nominating Committee does not have a specific
policy with regard to the consideration of any director candidates recommended
by stockholders, because the Committee will evaluate all candidates for
directors using the same criteria, regardless of the source of the referral.
Stockholders wishing to refer director candidates to the Nominating Committee
should do so in writing mailed by first class mail to the Committee, c/o
National Bankshares, Inc., P.O. Box 90002, Blacksburg, VA 24062-9002.

9


        In considering candidates for director, the Nominating Committee seeks
individuals who meet the following minimum criteria. The candidate must be an
individual of the highest character and integrity. He or she must be able to
work well with others and must be free of any conflict of interest that would
violate law or regulation or interfere with the proper performance of a
director's responsibilities. The candidate should be willing to devote
sufficient time to the business of the Board. Finally, he or she should have the
capacity to represent the best interests of the stockholders as a whole in a
balanced way. The Nominating Committee insures that the Board of Directors will
have a sufficient number of independent directors to fill all Board and
Committee positions that require independent directors. In addition, the
Nominating Committee seeks directors who have good business experience as well
as directors who have experience in academia and public service. The Committee
looks for directors who are knowledgeable about and reside in the locations in
which the Company and its subsidiaries do business and who have the ability and
willingness to refer new business to the Company. Finally, the Nominating
Committee seeks candidates who reflect the Company's belief that gender and
ethnic diversity provide additional perspectives that are helpful to the Board
of Directors.

        The Nominating Committee actively solicits the names of potential Board
candidates from the directors and officers of Bankshares and, as stated here,
will consider candidates suggested by stockholders. Information about potential
candidates is sought from diverse sources, and the Nominating Committee compares
the experience, expertise and personal qualities of the potential candidates
with the experience, expertise, and personal qualities that are identified as
being desirable for the Board of Directors at any given time.

                  COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON COMPENSATION
                      OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

            The Compensation Committee of the Bankshares Board is responsible
for administering the policies governing the annual compensation paid to
executive officers of Bankshares, including the Chief Executive Officer.

            Executive Officer Compensation

            The Company's compensation program for its executive officers
consists of a base salary and periodic grants of stock options. Mr. Rakes also
receives an annual performance bonus and is considered for contributions to the
Capital Accumulation Plan under his employment agreement. (see "Employment
Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements") The stock option grants, annual
performance bonus and Capital Accumulation Plan contributions are all directly
linked to the performance of Bankshares. In addition, contributions by NBB and
BTC, as participating employers, to the National Bankshares, Inc. Employee Stock
Ownership Plan on behalf of employees, including executive officers, have been
historically based upon a percentage of net profits.

            The salaries of Bankshares' executive officers, except for Mr.
Rakes, are within salary ranges established for each officer position. The
ranges are developed after considering a salary survey published annually by the
Virginia Bankers Association and after reviewing salary information about
comparable local jobs and evaluating the economic conditions that are unique to
the locations in which Bankshares and its subsidiaries do business. In
establishing salary ranges, the Company balances the need to offer salaries that
are competitive with peers with the need to maintain careful control of salaries
and benefits expense. Mr. Rakes reports to the Compensation Committee on
executive officer compensation at least annually.

Compensation of Chief Executive Officer

        As Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rakes is and has
been compensated pursuant to the employment agreement which is described under
"Employment Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements" above. The Board of
Directors received independent outside guidance in designing the compensation
arrangements included in the employment agreement.

        The principal components of Mr. Rakes' compensation under the employment
agreement are salary, incentive bonuses and Company contributions for his
benefit to the Capital Accumulation Plans. In 1999, the Board of Directors added
stock options granted under the National Bankshares, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock
Option Plan. The Stock Option Plan promotes the success of the Company by
providing an incentive to key employees (including Mr. Rakes) that promotes the
identification of their personal interest with the long-term financial interests
of Bankshares.

10


        Mr. Rakes' compensation is substantially tied to the performance of
Bankshares. The Committee determined his annual salary increase after
subjectively assessing Mr. Rakes' contributions to the success of the Company.
In measuring Bankshares' success, the Committee, among other things, compared
the Company's results to local, regional and national peers. To determine an
annual salary increase for Mr. Rakes, the Committee also reviewed salaries paid
to other individuals holding similar positions. The Committee consulted an
annual salary survey published by the Virginia Bankers Association, and it
reviewed other available public documents from peer institutions to determine
comparable salaries. Annual incentive bonuses and awards of stock options were
also based upon the Committee's subjective evaluation of Mr. Rakes'
contributions to the success of the Company. In determining the amount of Mr.
Rakes' performance bonus for 2005 and the award of stock options in late 2005,
the Committee considered that Bankshares again achieved record net income of
over $12.42 million. The contribution to Mr. Rakes' Captial Accumulation Plan
was determined using objective measures of annual performance, specifically the
comparison of Bankshares' return on assets and return on equity in 2005 with the
average performance of a peer group of bank holding companies.

        Members of the Compensation Committee: L.A. Bowman, Chairman, P.A.
Duncan, J.H. Harry, J.M. Lewis, M.G. Miller, W.A. Peery, J.M. Shuler, J.R.
Stewart.

           COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

            As stated, in 2005 Mr. Bowman, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Harry, Dr. Lewis, Dr.
Miller, Mr. Peery, Dr. Shuler and Stewart made up the Compensation Committee of
Bankshares.  None of these individuals is now, or has in the past been, an
officer or employee of Bankshares or of Bankshares' subsidiaries. Dr. Shuler
serves on the Salary and Personnel Committee of NBB.  Mr. Harry is a member of
the Board of Directors of BTC, which serves as BTC's compensation committee
after excluding inside bank directors.  No executive officer of Bankshares, NBB,
BTC or NBFS served as a director of another entity which had an executive
officer serving on the Bankshares Compensation Committee.  No executive officer
of Bankshares, NBB, BTC or NBFS served as a member of the compensation committee
of another entity which had an executive officer who served as a director of
Bankshares. None of the members of the Bankshares Compensation Committee, or any
business organizations or persons with whom they may be associated, has had any
transactions with Bankshares or its subsidiaries, except as explained in
"Certain Transactions with Officers and Directors" below.

                             AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

            During 2000 the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors developed
a formal charter for the Committee, which was approved by the full Board on May
10, 2000. The Charter was amended on February 11, 2004. The Charter reflects
standards set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and Nasdaq
Stock Market Rules.

            The Audit Committee monitors the integrity of the Bankshares
financial reporting process and its systems of internal controls concerning
finance, accounting and legal compliance. Each of the Audit Committee members
satisfies the definition of an independent director as established in the Nasdaq
Stock Market Rules. Although each member of the Audit Committee has extensive
business experience, the Committee has identified Dr. Lewis as the financial
expert, because he has a background which involves financial oversight
responsibilities. Dr. Lewis currently oversees the preparation of financial
statements in his role as President of New River Community College. He
previously served as the College's Chief Financial Officer.

            In discharging its oversight responsibility with regard to the audit
process, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated
financial statements with management, discussed with the independent auditors
Yount, Hyde & Barbour the matters to be discussed by Statement of Auditing
Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees), received communications
from the auditors as to their independence required by Independence Standards
Board Standard No. 1 and discussed with them their independence.

            Based upon its review and discussions with management and Yount,
Hyde & Barbour, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that
the audited consolidated financial statements be included in Bankshares Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

            The following fees were paid to Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.,

11


Certified Public Accountants & Management Consultants, for services provided to
Bankshares for the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004. The
Audit Committee determined that the provision of non-audit services by Yount,
Hyde & Barbour P.C. did not compromise the firm's ability to maintain its
independence.
            Principal Accounting Fees and Services
                           2005                    2004
                   ----------------------  ---------------------
                      Fees    Percentage      Fees    Percentage
                   ---------- -----------  ---------- ----------
Audit fees         $ 89,400         78%   $  85,625        74%
Audit-related fees  18,348          16%      25,956        22%
Tax fees             7,350           6%       4,800         4%
                   ---------- -----------  ---------- ---------
                   $115,098        100%    $116,381       100%
                   ========== ===========  ========== =========

            Audit fees: Audit and review services and review of documents filed
with the SEC.

            Audit-related fees: Employee benefit plan audits, accounting
assistance with proposed acquisitions and consultation concerning financial
accounting and reporting standards.

            Tax fees: Preparation of federal and state tax returns, review of
quarterly estimated tax payments and consultation concerning tax compliance
issues.

            The Audit Committee meets in advance and specifically approves of
the provision of all services of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.

        Members of the Audit Committee: J.R. Stewart, Chairman, P.A. Duncan,
J.H. Harry and J.M. Lewis.






                      (this space intentionally left blank)


12


PERFORMANCE GRAPH

            The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the
cumulative total of shareholder return on Bankshares Common Stock with the
cumulative return on the Nasdaq Index, and a peer group index comprised of
southeastern independent community banks and bank holding companies for the
five-year period commencing on December 31, 2000, and ending on December 31,
2005. These comparisons assume the investment of $100 in Bankshares Common Stock
and in each of the indices on December 31, 2000, and the reinvestment of
dividends.

                      [OBJECT OMITTED - Performance Graph]




                            2000      2001      2002      2003      2004      2005
                            ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----
                                                            
NATIONAL BANKSHARES, INC.     74       100      149       245       325       334
INDEPENDENT BANK INDEX        89       110      136       176       221       252
NASDAQ INDEX                1112        89       61        92        54        91


            The peer group Independent Bank Index is the compilation of the
total return to stockholders over the past five years of the following group of
twenty-five independent community banks and bank holding companies located in
the southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia: Auburn National Bankshares,
Inc., United Securities Bancshares, Inc., TIB Financial Corp., Seacoast Banking
Corp., Centerstate Banks of Florida, Inc., Fidelity Southern Corp., Southeastern
Banking Corporation, Southwest Georgia Financial Corp., PAB Bankshares, Inc.,
Uwharrie Capital Corp., Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc., Bank of Granite Corp., Carolina
Trust Bank, FNB Financial Services Corp., CNB Corporation, Peoples
Bancorporation Inc., First Pulaski National Corporation, Wilson Bank Holding
Company, National Bankshares, Inc., FNB Corporation, American National
Bankshares, Inc., Central Virginia Bankshares, Inc., Virginia Financial Group,
C & F Financial Corporation and First Century Bankshares, Inc.

13

                CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

            Both NBB and BTC extend credit in the ordinary course of business to
Bankshares' directors and executive officers and corporations, business
organizations and persons with whom Bankshares' directors and executive officers
are associated at interest rates prevailing for comparable transactions with the
general public at the time credit is extended. These extensions of credit are
made with the same requirements as to collateral as those prevailing at the time
for comparable transactions with other persons. In the opinion of management,
none of such presently outstanding transactions with directors and executive
officers involve a greater than normal risk of collectibility or present other
unfavorable features.
                              SELECTION OF AUDITORS

            The Board of Directors has selected the firm of Yount, Hyde &
Barbour, P.C. to perform an independent audit of Bankshares and its subsidiaries
for fiscal year 2006.

            A representative of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C. is expected to be
present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. That representative will have the
opportunity to make a statement at the meeting and will be available to respond
to appropriate questions.

                            EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION

            The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by Bankshares. In
addition to solicitations by mail, directors, officers and regular employees of
Bankshares and of NBB, BTC and NBFS may solicit proxies personally or by
telephone, telegraph, facsimile or other electronic means without additional
compensation. It is contemplated that brokerage houses and nominees will be
requested to forward proxy solicitation material to the beneficial owners of the
stock held of record by such persons, and Bankshares may reimburse them for
their charges and expenses in this connection.

                           2007 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

            In order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy materials of
Bankshares for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, a stockholder proposal
intended to be presented at the Meeting must be delivered to Bankshares'
headquarters at 101 Hubbard Street, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24060, or received by
mail at P.O. Box 90002, Blacksburg, Virginia 24062-9002, no later than November
15, 2006. Bankshares' bylaws provide that a stockholder must give timely advance
notice in writing to the President, James G. Rakes, in order to bring business
before an Annual Meeting of Stockholders. To bring business before the 2007
Annual Meeting, a stockholder notice must be delivered to 101 Hubbard Street,
Blacksburg, 24060, or received by mail at P.O. Box 90002, Blacksburg, Virginia
24062-9002 no sooner than January 10, 2007 and no later than February 9, 2007.

                                 OTHER BUSINESS

            All properly executed proxies received by Bankshares will be voted
at the Annual Meeting following the instructions contained in the proxies.

            The Board of Directors does not know of any other matters to be
presented for action at the Annual Meeting other than those listed in the Notice
of Meeting and referred to in this Proxy Statement. The enclosed proxy does,
however, give authority to the persons named in the proxy to use their
discretion to vote on any other matters that may properly come before the
meeting, and it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to use their
judgement if they are called upon to vote on any matter of this type.
                                       BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                                       /s/ Marilyn B. Buhyoff
                                       ----------------------------------
                                       Marilyn B. Buhyoff
                                       Secretary and Counsel
Blacksburg, Virginia
March 14, 2006

A COPY OF BANKSHARES' ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO STOCKHOLDERS AS OF
THE RECORD DATE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO: MARILYN B. BUHYOFF, SECRETARY AND
COUNSEL, NATIONAL BANKSHARES, INC., P.O. BOX 90002, BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA
24062-9002.

14


                            NATIONAL BANKSHARES, INC.
                               101 Hubbard Street
                              Blacksburg, VA 24060
                                 P.O. Box 90002
                            Blacksburg, VA 24062-9002

                                      PROXY

================================================================================
           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The undersigned hereby appoints Lindsay Coleman, of Blacksburg, Virginia
and Howard H. Hale of Bluefield, West Virginia, or each of them, as Proxies,
each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to
represent and to vote as designated below, all the shares of Common Stock of
National Bankshares, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on March 3, 2006,
at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 11, 2006, or at any
adjournments thereof.
================================================================================

1.  Election of Directors

    ___ FOR all nominees listed below             ___ WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
        (except as marked to the                      to vote for all
        contrary below)                               nominees listed below

     (INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
          strike a line through the nominee's name in the list below.)

                                Lawrence J. Ball
                                 Mary G. Miller
                               Glenn P. Reynolds

2.   In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
     business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments
     thereof.

     This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed
     herein by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this
     proxy will be voted for Proposal 1 set forth above.

     The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Proxy Statement dated March
     14, 2006.

     Please sign exactly as your name appears below. When shares are held by
     joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
     administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If
     a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other
     authorized officer. If partnership, please sign in partnership name by
     authorized person.


     -------------------------------------------          ----------------
                    Signature                                  Date:


     --------------------------------------------         ----------------
            Signature if held jointly                          Date:

                  PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY
               PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.