1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20

                                FIRST AMENDMENT
                                       TO
                            LOAN AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT


         THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE LOAN AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this
"AMENDMENT") is made as of February 1, 2001 by and between World Commerce
Online, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and George G. Guthrie (the
"LENDER").

                                R E C I T A L S :


         WHEREAS, for value received, the Company and Lender executed a Loan and
Pledge Agreement dated as of January 17, 2001 (the "LOAN DATE") in the amount of
125,000 dollars ($ 125,000) (the "LOAN AGREEMENT"); and

         WHEREAS, the Company and the Lender agree to amend and modify the Loan
Agreement as of the Loan Date to clarify certain provisions.

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

         1.       AMENDMENT TO THE LOAN AGREEMENT. The ", or" shall be deleted
from the end of Section 3.5(i), and the following shall be added:

                  "or under substantially similar terms as those set forth in
                  this Agreement, or"

         2.       EFFECTIVE TIME OF AMENDMENT. The amendment and modification to
the Loan Agreement as set forth in Section 1 above shall be retroactively
effective as of the Loan Date.

         3.       NON-MODIFICATION. Except to the extent amended and modified
hereby, all terms, provisions and conditions of the Loan Agreement shall
continue in full force and effect and remain unmodified and enforceable.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment effective
as of the Loan Date.


                           WORLD COMMERCE ONLINE, INC.,


                           By:     /s/ Mark E. Patten
                               ---------------------------------------
                           Mark E. Patten, Chief Financial Officer



                           LENDER


                           By:        /s/ George G. Guthrie
                              -----------------------------------------
                           Name:   George G. Guthrie, as Lender
                                ---------------------------------------
                           Title:
                                 --------------------------------------