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EXHIBIT 10.76
CHANGE OF CONTROL
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Financial Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company") and ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Executive"),
dated as of the 5th day of November, 1997.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders
to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control
(as defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to
diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control
and to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and
to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a
Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations
of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of
other corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the
Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain Definitions. (a) The "Effective Date" shall
mean the first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section
1(b)) on which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control
occurs and if the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior
to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably
demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at
the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to
effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or
anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement
the "Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such
termination of employment.
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(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date
hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date
hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual
anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"),
unless previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be
automatically extended so as to terminate 3 years from such Renewal Date,
unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice
to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.
2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a
"Change of Control" shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group
(within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then
outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding
Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company
Voting Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this
subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a
Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company,
(ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by
the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (iv) any
acquisition pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the
Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at
least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual
becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or
nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by
a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the
Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a
member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any
such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result
of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the
election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other
than the Board; or
(c) Consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger
or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of assets of
another entity (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless,
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following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of
the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners,
respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business
Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60%
of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case
may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination
(including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of
such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the
Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries)
in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately
prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be,
(ii) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business
Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more
of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined
voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to
the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members
of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such
Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time
of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the
Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue
the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the
employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third
anniversary of such date (the "Employment Period").
4. Terms of Employment. (a) Position and Duties. (i)
During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status,
offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and
responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with
the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned to the Executive at
any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and
(B) the Executive's services shall be performed at the location where the
Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office
or location less than 35 miles from such location.
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(ii) During the Employment Period, and
excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is
entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during
normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the
extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive
hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully
and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall
not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on
corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures,
fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and (C)
manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an
employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly
understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been
conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct
of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope
thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to
interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the
Company.
(b) Compensation. (i) Base Salary. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base
Salary"), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to 12 times the
highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which
has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its
affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately
preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment
Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed within 12 months after the
last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and
thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not
serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this
Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and
the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual
Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated
companies" shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common
control with the Company.
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(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual
Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during
the Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least
equal to the Executive's annual bonus under the annual bonus plan for North
Star Marketing for 1996 ("1996 Bonus") or, if higher, the Executive's greatest
annual bonus in any subsequent year prior to the Effective Date. Each such
Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of the
fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual
Bonus.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement
Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to
participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies
and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies
and programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with
respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if
any, that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement
benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the
most favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies
for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in
effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally
at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the
Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may
be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under
welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company
and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical,
prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life, group
life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the
extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and
programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and
programs in effect for
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the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally
at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period,
the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all
reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most
favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated
companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without
limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if
applicable, use of an automobile (or an automobile allowance) and payment of
related expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices,
programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for
the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally
at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a
size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal
secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the
foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies
at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(viii) Vacation. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the
most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its
affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time
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during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
5. Termination of Employment. (a) Death or Disability. The
Executive's employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death
during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant
to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive
written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its
intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the
Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th
day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective
Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive
shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of the
Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis for
180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or
physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician
selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the
Executive's legal representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of
the Executive to perform substantially the Executive's duties with the
Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such failure
resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a
written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the
Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company
which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief
Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not substantially
performed the Executive's duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the
Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially
and demonstrably injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or
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without reasonable belief that the Executive's action or omission was in the
best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon
authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the
instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of the Company
or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively
presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and
in the best interests of the Company. The cessation of employment of the
Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have
been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of
the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an
opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding
that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the
conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the
particulars thereof in detail.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be
terminated by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Good Reason" shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any
duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements),
authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a)
of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in
a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities,
excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent
action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to
comply with any of the provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement,
other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not
occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly
after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the
Executive to be based at any office or location other than as provided
in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof or the Company's requiring the Executive
to travel on Company business to a substantially greater extent than
required immediately prior to the Effective Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the
Company of the Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly
permitted by this Agreement; or
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(v) any failure by the Company to
comply with and satisfy Section 11(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good
Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this Agreement
to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any reason
during the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the
Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all
purposes of this Agreement.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company
for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice
of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b)
of this Agreement. Such Notice of Termination for Cause shall be given within
90 days following the Company's "actual" knowledge of any event constituting
Cause, and such Notice of Termination for Good Reason shall be given within 180
days following the Executive's "actual" knowledge of an event constituting Good
Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a
written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination
of the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the
Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of
such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than
thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or
the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance
which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any
right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the
Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or
circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or
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Disability, the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such
termination and (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
death or Disability, the date of death of the Executive or the Disability
Effective Date, as the case may be.
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination. (a) Good
Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, during the Employment
Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for
Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good
Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a
lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the
aggregate of the following amounts:
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual
Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not
theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the greater of (a)
the 1996 Bonus and (b) the Executive's highest annual bonus
for any fiscal year that begins both subsequent to 1997 and
within 3 years prior to the Date of Termination (such greater
amount, the "Highest Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the numerator
of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year
through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which
is 365 and (3) any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings
thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the
extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described
in clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to
as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
B. the amount equal to the product of (1) 3
and (2) the greater of (A) the sum of the Executive's base
salary in 1996 and the 1996 Bonus or (B) the Executive's
greatest combined annual base salary and annual bonus earned
with respect to any fiscal year that ends both subsequent to
1996 and within 3 years prior to the Date of Termination; and
C. an amount equal to the difference between
(a) the aggregate benefit under the Company's qualified
defined benefit retirement plans (collectively, the
"Retirement Plan") and any excess or supplemental defined
benefit retirement plans in which the Executive participates
(collectively, the "SERP") which the Executive would have
accrued (whether or not vested) if the Executive's employment
had continued for 3 years after the Date of Termination (based
on the assumption that the Executive's compensation in each of
the 3 years following such termination would have been that
required by Section 4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii)) and (b) the
actual vested benefit, if any, of the Executive under the
Retirement Plan and the SERP, determined as of the Date of
Termination (with the foregoing amounts to be computed on an
actuarial present value basis using actuarial assumptions no
less favorable to the Executive than the most fa-
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vorable of those in effect for purposes of computing benefit
entitlements under the Retirement Plan and the SERP at any
time from the day before the Effective Date) through the Date
of Termination;
(ii) for 3 years after the Executive's Date of
Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of
the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall
continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at
least equal to those which would have been provided to them in
accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described
in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive's employment
had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their
families, provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed
with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other
welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and
other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those
provided under such other plan during such applicable period of
eligibility, and for purposes of determining eligibility (but not the
time of commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree
benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the
Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until 3 years
after the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of
such period;
(iii) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred,
provide the Executive with outplacement services the scope and
provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in the
Executive's sole discretion; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be obligated to provide such services for a period of more than
one year after the Date of Termination or at an aggregate cost in
excess of $20,000; and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the
Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts
or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is
eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or
contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies
(such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as
the "Other Benefits").
(b) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as
utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the
Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits
at least equal
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to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and affiliated companies
to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such
affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and policies
relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other peer
executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive's estate and/or the Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the
date of the Executive's death with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies and their beneficiaries.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated
by reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other
than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of
Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination. With respect to the
provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this
Section 6(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the
Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least
equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its
affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance
with such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if
any, as in effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their
families at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive's
family, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families.
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's
employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other
than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) the Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred
by the Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent
theretofore unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during
the Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for
Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or
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provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be
paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination.
7. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement
shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in
any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to
Section 12(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any
of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or
program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its
affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract
or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8. Full Settlement; Legal Fees. The Company's obligation to
make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have
against the Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated
to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement
and except as specifically provided in Section 6(a)(ii), such amounts shall not
be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company
agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees
and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any
contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or
others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability or entitlement under,
any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof
(whether such contest is between the Company and the Executive or between
either of them and any third party, and including as a result of any contest by
the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus
in each case interest on any delayed payment at 120% of the applicable Federal
rate (that applies to the
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time period of the delay) provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), compounded annually.
9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment, award,
benefit or distribution by the Company (or any of its affiliated entities) or
by any entity which effectuates a Change of Control (or any of its affiliated
entities) to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional
payments required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any corresponding provisions
of state or local tax laws, or any interest or penalties are incurred by the
Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any
such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the
Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with
respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and
any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed
upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up
Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. The payment of a
Gross-Up Payment under this Section 9(a) shall not be conditioned upon the
Executive's termination of employment.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and
when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made
by Price Waterhouse LLP or such other certified public accounting firm as may
be designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide
detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within
15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has
been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the
event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the
individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive
shall
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appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred
to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting
Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined
pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive
within 5 days after the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any
determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the
Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999
of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm
hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made
by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the
calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company
exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is
required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall
determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the
Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be
given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the
Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of
the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be
paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the
30-day period following the date on which the Executive gives such notice to
the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of
taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the
Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to
contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information
reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with
contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in
writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting
legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney
reasonably selected by the Company,
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(iii) cooperate with the Company in good
faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate
in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions
of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any
and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the
taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either
direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and ▇▇▇ for a refund or contest the
claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such
contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and ▇▇▇ for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and
hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or
income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with
respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to
such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of
limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive
with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited
solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the
contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment
would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue
Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes
entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall
(subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of
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Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together
with any interest paid or credited thereon after deducting an amount sufficient
to pay applicable federal, state and local taxes on such interest at the
highest marginal rates applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the
Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a
determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset,
to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated
companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by
the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other
than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation
of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the
Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or
divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the
Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of
the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or
withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this
Agreement.
11. Successors. (a) This Agreement is personal to the
Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be
assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the Executive's legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
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18
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the
same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such
succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean
the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or
assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by
operation of law, or otherwise.
12. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement
are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement
executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal
representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
If to the Company:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Financial Corporation
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: General Counsel
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or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under
this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required
to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon
strict compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of this
Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may
have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to
terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this
Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any
other provision or right of this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as
may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the
Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is
"at will" and, prior to the Effective Date, the Executive's employment may be
terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time prior to the
Effective Date, in which case the Executive shall have no further rights under
this Agreement. From and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall
supersede any other agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to
participate in any severance plan of the Company or otherwise receive severance
benefits from the Company.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the
Executive's hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of
Directors, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name on
its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
------------------------------------------
Officer
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/s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
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