Guaranty Federal Savings Bank Restricted Stock Plan and Trust Agreement
Exhibit 10.4
Guaranty Federal Savings Bank
Restricted Stock Plan
and Trust Agreement
Article I
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PLAN AND TRUST
1.01 Guaranty Federal Savings Bank ("Savings Bank") hereby establishes the Restricted Stock
Plan (the "Plan") and Trust (the "Trust") upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated in this Restricted
Stock Plan and Trust Agreement (the "Agreement").
1.02 The Trustee hereby accepts this Trust and agrees to hold the Trust assets existing on the
date of this Agreement and all additions and accretions thereto upon the terms and conditions hereinafter
stated.
Article II
PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
2.01 The purpose of the Plan is to reward and to retain personnel of experience and ability in
key positions of responsibility with the Savings Bank and its subsidiaries, by providing such personnel of
the Savings Bank and its subsidiaries with an equity interest in the parent corporation of the Savings Bank,
Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. ("Parent"), as compensation for their prior and anticipated future
professional contributions and service to the Savings Bank and its subsidiaries.
Article III
DEFINITIONS
The following words and phrases when used in this Plan with an initial capital letter, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise, shall have the meaning as set forth below. Wherever appropriate, the
masculine pronoun shall include the feminine pronoun and the singular shall include the plural.
3.01 "Beneficiary" means the person or persons designated by the Participant to receive any
benefits payable under the Plan in the event of such Participant's death. Such person or persons shall be
designated in writing on forms provided for this purpose by the Committee and may be changed from time
to time by similar written notice to the Committee. In the absence of a written designation, the Beneficiary
shall be the Participant's surviving spouse, if any, or if none, the Participant's estate.
3.02 "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Savings Bank, or any successor corporation
thereto.
3.03 "Cause" means the personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of
fiduciary duty involving personal profits, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of
a material provision of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations and similar offense), or a
material violation of a final cease-and-desist order or any other action which results in a substantial financial
loss to the Parent, Savings Bank or its Subsidiaries.
3.04 "Change in Control" shall mean: (i) the sale of all, or a material portion, of the assets of
the Parent or Savings Bank; (ii) the merger or recapitalization of the Parent or the Savings Bank whereby
the Parent or Savings Bank is not the surviving entity; (iii) a change in control of the Parent or Savings
Bank, as otherwise defined or determined by the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") or regulations
promulgated by it; or (iv) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of the beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of that term as it is used in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder) of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of the
Parent or Savings Bank by any person, trust, entity or group. This limitation shall not apply to the
purchase of shares of up to 25% of any class of securities of the Parent or Savings Bank by a tax-qualified
employee stock benefit plan which is exempt from the approval requirements, set forth under 12 C.F.R.
§574.3(c)(1)(vi) as now in effect or as may hereafter be amended. The term "person" refers to an
individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, association, joint venture, pool, syndicate, sole
proprietorship, unincorporated organization or any other form of entity not specifically listed herein. The
decision of the Committee as to whether a Change in Control has occurred shall be conclusive and binding.
3.05 "Committee" means the Board of Directors of the Parent or the Restricted Stock Plan
Committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the Parent pursuant to Article IV hereof.
3.06 "Common Stock" means shares of the common stock of the Savings Bank or any successor
corporation or Parent thereto.
3.07 "Conversion" means the effective date of the stock charter of the Savings Bank and
simultaneous acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of the Savings Bank by the Parent.
3.08 "Director" means a member of the Board of the Savings Bank.
3.09 "Director Emeritus" means a person serving as a director emeritus, advisory director,
consulting director, or other similar position as may be appointed by the Board of Directors of the Savings
Bank or the Parent from time to time.
3.10 "Disability" means any physical or mental impairment which renders the Participant
incapable of continuing in the employment or service of the Savings Bank or the Parent in his current
capacity as determined by the Committee.
3.11 "Employee" means any person who is employed by the Savings Bank or a Subsidiary.
3.12 "Effective Date" shall mean the date of stockholder approval of the Plan by the Parent's
stockholders.
3.13 "Parent" shall mean Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc., the parent corporation of the
Savings Bank.
3.14 "Participant" means an Employee, Director or Director Emeritus who receives a Plan Share
Award under the Plan.
3.15 "Plan Shares" means shares of Common Stock held in the Trust which are awarded or
issuable to a Participant pursuant to the Plan.
3.16 "Plan Share Award" or "Award" means a right granted to a Participant under this Plan to
earn or to receive Plan Shares.
3.17 "Plan Share Reserve" means the shares of Common Stock held by the Trust pursuant to
Sections 5.03 and 5.04.
3.18 "Savings Bank" means Guaranty Federal Savings Bank, and any successor corporation
thereto.
3.19 "Subsidiary" means those subsidiaries of the Savings Bank which, with the consent of the
Board, agree to participate in this Plan.
3.20 "Trustee" or "Trustee Committee" means that person(s) or entity nominated by the
Committee and approved by the Board pursuant to Sections 4.01 and 4.02 to hold legal title to the Plan
assets for the purposes set forth herein.
Article IV
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
4.01 Role of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Board of
Directors of the Parent or a Committee appointed by said Board, which shall consist of not less than two
non-employee members of the Board, which shall have all of the powers allocated to it in this and other
sections of the Plan. All persons designated as members of the Committee shall be "Non-Employee
Directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
("1934 Act"). The interpretation and construction by the Committee of any provisions of the Plan or of
any Plan Share Award granted hereunder shall be final and binding. The Committee shall act by vote or
written consent of a majority of its members. Subject to the express provisions and limitations of the Plan,
the Committee may adopt such rules, regulations and procedures as it deems appropriate for the conduct
of its affairs. The Committee shall report its actions and decisions with respect to the Plan to the Board
at appropriate times, but in no event less than one time per calendar year. The Committee shall recommend
to the Board one or more persons or entity to act as Trustee in accordance with the provision of this Plan
and Trust and the terms of Article VIII hereof.
4.02 Role of the Board. The members of the Committee and the Trustee shall be appointed or
approved by, and will serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board may in its discretion from time to time
remove members from, or add members to, the Committee, and may remove, replace or add Trustees. The
Board shall have all of the powers allocated to it in this and other sections of the Plan, may take any action
under or with respect to the Plan which the Committee is authorized to take, and may reverse or override
any action taken or decision made by the Committee under or with respect to the Plan, provided, however,
that the Board may not revoke any Plan Share Award already made except as provided in Section 7.01(b)
herein.
4.03 Limitation on Liability. No member of the Board, the Committee or the Trustee shall be
liable for any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Plan Share Awards granted.
If a member of the Board, Committee or any Trustee is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by any reason of anything done or not done by him in such capacity under or with respect
to the Plan, the Parent and the Savings Bank shall indemnify such member against expenses (including
attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him
or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner
he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Parent, the Savings Bank and its Subsidiaries
and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Savings Bank take any
actions with respect to this Section 4.03 which is not in compliance with the limitations or requirements
set forth at 12 CFR 545.121, as may be amended from time to time.
Article V
CONTRIBUTIONS; PLAN SHARE RESERVE
5.01 Amount and Timing of Contributions. The Board of Directors of the Savings Bank shall
determine the amounts (or the method of computing the amounts) to be contributed by the Savings Bank
to the Trust established under this Plan. Such amounts shall be paid to the Trustee at the time of
contribution. No contributions to the Trust by Participants shall be permitted except with respect to
amounts necessary to meet tax withholding obligations.
5.02 Initial Investment. Any funds held by the Trust prior to investment in the Common Stock
shall be invested by the Trustee in such interest-bearing account or accounts at the Savings Bank as the
Trustee shall determine to be appropriate.
5.03 Investment of Trust Assets. Following approval of the Plan by stockholders of the Parent
and receipt of any other necessary regulatory approvals, the Trust shall purchase Common Stock of the
Parent in an amount equal to up to 100% of the Trust's assets, after providing for any required withholding
as needed for tax purposes, provided, however, that the Trust shall not purchase more than 173,632 shares
of Common Stock, representing 4% of the aggregate shares of Common Stock issued by the Parent in the
Conversion. The Trustee may purchase shares of Common Stock in the open market or, in the alternative,
may purchase authorized but unissued shares of the Common Stock or treasury shares from the Parent
sufficient to fund the Plan Share Reserve.
5.04 Effect of Allocations, Returns and Forfeitures Upon Plan Share Reserves. Upon the
allocation of Plan Share Awards under Sections 6.02 and 6.05, or the decision of the Committee to return
Plan Shares to the Parent, the Plan Share Reserve shall be reduced by the number of Shares subject to the
Awards so allocated or returned. Any Shares subject to an Award which are not earned because of
forfeiture by the Participant pursuant to Section 7.01 shall be added to the Plan Share Reserve.
Article VI
ELIGIBILITY; ALLOCATIONS
6.01 Eligibility. Employees and Directors Emeritus are eligible to receive Plan Share Awards
within the sole discretion of the Committee. Directors who are not otherwise Employees shall receive Plan
Share Awards pursuant to Section 6.05.
6.02 Allocations. The Committee will determine which of the Employees will be granted Plan
Share Awards and the number of Shares covered by each Award, provided, however, that in no event shall
any Awards be made which will violate the Charter or Bylaws of the Savings Bank or its Parent or
Subsidiaries or any applicable federal or state law or regulation. In the event Shares are forfeited for any
reason or additional Shares are purchased by the Trustee, the Committee may, from time to time, determine
which of the Employees will be granted Plan Share Awards to be awarded from forfeited Shares. In
selecting those Employees and Directors Emeritus to whom Plan Share Awards will be granted and the
number of shares covered by such Awards, the Committee shall consider the prior and anticipated future
position, duties and responsibilities of the Employees, the value of their prior and anticipated future services
to the Savings Bank and its Subsidiaries, and any other factors the Committee may deem relevant. All
actions by the Committee shall be deemed final, except to the extent that such actions are revoked by the
Board. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall any Participant receive Plan
Share Awards in excess of 25% of the aggregate Plan Shares authorized under the Plan.
6.03 Form of Allocation. As promptly as practicable after a determination is made pursuant
to Section 6.02 or Section 6.05 that a Plan Share Award is to be made, the Committee shall notify the
Participant in writing of the grant of the Award, the number of Plan Shares covered by the Award, and the
terms upon which the Plan Shares subject to the award may be earned. The date on which the Committee
makes its award determination or the date the Committee so notifies the Participant shall be considered the
date of grant of the Plan Share Awards as determined by the Committee. The Committee shall maintain
records as to all grants of Plan Share Awards under the Plan.
6.04 Allocations Not Required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary at Sections 6.01,
6.02 or 6.05, no Employee shall have any right or entitlement to receive a Plan Share Award hereunder,
such Awards being at the sole discretion of the Committee and the Board, nor shall the Employees as a
group have such a right. The Committee may, with the approval of the Board (or, if so directed by the
Board) return all Common Stock in the Plan Share Reserve to the Savings Bank at any time, and cease
issuing Plan Share Awards.
6.05 Awards to Directors. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the Effective
Date, a Plan Share Award consisting of 8,682 Plan Shares shall be awarded to each Director of the Savings
Bank that is not otherwise an Employee. Such Plan Share Award shall be earned and non-forfeitable at the
rate of one-fifth as of the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date and an additional one-fifth following
each of the next four successive years during such periods of service as a Director or Director Emeritus.
Further, such Plan Share Award shall be immediately 100% earned and non-forfeitable in the event of the
death or Disability of such Director or Director Emeritus, or upon a Change in Control of the Savings Bank
or Parent; provided that such accelerated vesting is not inconsistent with applicable regulations of the Office
of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") or other applicable banking regulatory agency at the time of such Change
in Control. Subsequent to the Effective Date, Plan Share Awards may be awarded to newly elected or
appointed Directors of the Savings Bank by the Committee, provided that total Plan Share Awards granted
to non-employee Directors of the Savings Bank shall not exceed 30% of the total Plan Share Reserve in the
aggregate under the Plan or 5% of the total Plan Share Reserve to any individual non-employee Director.
Article VII
EARNINGS AND DISTRIBUTION OF PLAN SHARES; VOTING RIGHTS
7.01 Earnings Plan Shares; Forfeitures.
(a) General Rules. Unless the Committee shall specifically state to the contrary at the time
a Plan Share Award is granted, Plan Shares subject to an Award shall be earned and non-forfeitable by a
Participant at the rate of one-fifth of such Award following one year after the granting of such Award, and
an additional one-fifth following each of the next four successive years; provided that such Participant
remains an Employee, Director, or Director Emeritus during such period. Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, in no event shall a Plan Share Award granted hereunder be earned and non-forfeitable by
a Participant more rapidly than at the rate of one-fifth of such Award as of the one year anniversary of the
date of grant and an additional one-fifth following each of the next four successive years.
(b) Revocation for Misconduct. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board
shall, by resolution, immediately revoke, rescind and terminate any Plan Share Award, or portion thereof,
previously awarded under this Plan, to the extent Plan Shares have not been delivered thereunder to the
Participant, whether or not yet earned, in the case of a Participant who is discharged from the employ or
service of the Parent, Savings Bank or a Subsidiary for Cause, or who is discovered after termination of
employment or service to have engaged in conduct that would have justified termination for Cause. A
determination of Cause shall be made by the Board within its sole discretion.
(c) Exception for Terminations Due to Death or Disability. Notwithstanding the general
rule contained in Section 7.01(a) above, all Plan Shares subject to a Plan Share Award held by a Participant
whose employment or service with the Parent, Savings Bank or a Subsidiary terminates due to death or
Disability, shall be deemed earned and nonforfeitable as of the Participant's last date of employment or
service with the Parent, Savings Bank or Subsidiary and shall be distributed as soon as practicable
thereafter.
(d) Exception for Termination after a Change in Control. Notwithstanding the general rule
contained in Section 7.01 above, all Plan Shares subject to a Plan Share Award held by a Participant shall
be deemed to be immediately 100% earned and non-forfeitable in the event of a Change in Control of the
Parent or Savings Bank and shall be distributed as soon as practicable thereafter; provided that such
accelerated vesting is not inconsistent with applicable regulations of the OTS or other applicable banking
regulatory agency at the time of such Change in Control.
7.02 Accrual and Payment of Dividends. A holder of a Plan Share Award, whether or not
earned, shall also be entitled to receive an amount equal to any cash dividends declared and paid with
respect to shares of Common Stock represented by such Plan Share Award between the date the relevant
Plan Share Award was granted to such Participant and the date the Plan Shares are distributed. Such cash
dividend amounts shall be held in arrears under the Trust and distributed upon the earning of the applicable
Plan Share Award. Such payment shall also include an appropriate amount of earnings, if any, of the Trust
assets with respect to any cash dividends so distributed.
7.03 Distribution of Plan Shares.
(a) Timing of Distributions: General Rule. Except as provided in Subsections (d) and (e)
below, Plan Shares shall be distributed to the Participant or his Beneficiary, as the case may be, as soon
as practicable after they have been earned. No fractional shares shall be distributed. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, at the discretion of the Committee, Plan Shares may be distributed prior
to such Shares being 100% earned, provided that such Plan Shares shall contain a restrictive legend
detailing the applicable limitations of such shares with respect to transfer and forfeiture.
(b) Form of Distribution. All Plan Shares, together with any shares representing stock
dividends, shall be distributed in the form of Common Stock. One share of Common Stock shall be given
for each Plan Share earned. Payments representing cash dividends (and earnings thereon) shall be made
in cash. Notwithstanding anything within the Plan to the contrary, upon a Change in Control whereby
substantially all of the Common Stock of the Parent shall be acquired for cash, all Plan Shares associated
with Plan Share Awards, together with any shares representing stock dividends associated with Plan Share
Awards, shall be, at the sole discretion of the Committee, distributed as of the effective date of such
Change in Control, or as soon as administratively feasible thereafter, in the form of cash equal to the
consideration received in exchange for such Common Stock represented by such Plan Shares.
(c) Withholding. The Trustee may withhold from any payment or distribution made under
this Plan sufficient amounts of cash or shares of Common Stock necessary to cover any applicable
withholding and employment taxes, and if the amount of such payment or distribution is not sufficient, the
Trustee may require the Participant or Beneficiary to pay to the Trustee the amount required to be withheld
in taxes as a condition of delivering the Plan Shares. The Trustee shall pay over to the Parent, Savings
Bank or Subsidiary which employs or employed such Participant any such amount withheld from or paid
by the Participant or Beneficiary.
(d) Timing: Exception for 10% Shareholders. Notwithstanding Subsection (a) above, no Plan
Shares may be distributed prior to the date which is five years from the effective date of the Conversion
to the extent the Participant or Beneficiary, as the case may be, would after receipt of such Shares own in
excess of ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock held by parties other
than Parent, unless such action is approved in advance by a majority vote of disinterested directors of the
Board of the Parent. Any Plan Shares remaining undistributed solely by reason of the operation of this
Subsection (d) shall be distributed to the Participant or his Beneficiary on the date which is five years from
the effective date of the Conversion.
(e) Regulatory Exceptions. No Plan Shares shall be distributed, however, unless and until
all of the requirements of all applicable law and regulation shall have been fully complied with, including
the receipt of approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Parent by such vote, if any, as may be
required by applicable law and regulations as determined by the Board.
7.04 Voting of Plan Shares. After a Plan Share Award has become earned and non-forfeitable,
the Participant shall be entitled to direct the Trustee as to the voting of the Plan Shares which are associated
with the Plan Share Award and which have not yet been distributed pursuant to Section 7.03, subject to
rules and procedures adopted by the Committee for this purpose. All shares of Common Stock held by the
Trust as to which Participants are not entitled to direct, or have not directed, the voting of such Shares,
shall be voted by the Trustee as directed by the Committee.
Article VIII
TRUST
8.01 Trust. The Trustee shall receive, hold, administer, invest and make distributions and
disbursements from the Trust in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and Trust and the applicable
directions, rules, regulations, procedures and policies established by the Committee pursuant to the Plan.
8.02 Management of Trust. It is the intention of this Plan and Trust that the Trustee shall have
complete authority and discretion with respect to the management, control and investment of the Trust, and
that the Trustee shall invest all assets of the Trust, except those attributable to cash dividends paid with
respect to Plan Shares not held in the Plan Share Reserve, in Common Stock to the fullest extent
practicable, except to the extent that the Trustee determines that the holding of monies in cash or cash
equivalents is necessary to meet the obligations of the Trust. In performing their duties, the Trustees shall
have the power to do all things and execute such instruments as may be deemed necessary or proper,
including the following powers:
(a) To invest up to one hundred percent (100%) of all Trust assets in the Common Stock
without regard to any law now or hereafter in force limiting investments for Trustees or other
fiduciaries. The investment authorized herein may constitute the only investment of the Trust, and
in making such investment, the Trustee is authorized to purchase Common Stock from the Parent
or from any other source, and such Common Stock so purchased may be outstanding, newly issued,
or treasury shares.
(b) To invest any Trust assets not otherwise invested in accordance with (a) above in such
deposit accounts, and certificates of deposit (including those issued by the Savings Bank),
obligations of the United States government or its agencies or such other investments as shall be
considered the equivalent of cash.
(c) To sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of any property at any time held or acquired by the
Trust.
(d) To cause stocks, bonds or other securities to be registered in the name of a nominee,
without the addition of words indicating that such security is an asset of the Trust (but accurate
records shall be maintained showing that such security is an asset of the Trust).
(e) To hold cash without interest in such amounts as may be in the opinion of the Trustee
reasonable for the proper operation of the Plan and Trust.
(f) To employ brokers, agents, custodians, consultants and accountants.
(g) To hire counsel to render advice with respect to their rights, duties and obligations
hereunder, and such other legal services or representation as they may deem desirable.
(h) To hold funds and securities representing the amounts to be distributed to a Participant or
his Beneficiary as a consequence of a dispute as to the disposition thereof, whether in a segregated
account or held in common with other assets.
(i) As may be directed by the Committee or the Board from time to time, the Trustee shall
pay to the Saving Bank earnings of the Trust attributable to the Plan Share Reserve.
Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, the Trustee shall not be required to
make any inventory, appraisal or settlement or report to any court, or to secure any order of a court for the
exercise of any power herein contained, or to maintain bond.
8.03 Records and Accounts. The Trustee shall maintain accurate and detailed records and
accounts of all transactions of the Trust, which shall be available at all reasonable times for inspection by
any legally entitled person or entity to the extent required by applicable law, or any other person determined
by the Committee.
8.04 Earnings. All earnings, gains and losses with respect to Trust assets shall be allocated in
accordance with a reasonable procedure adopted by the Committee, to bookkeeping accounts for
Participants or to the general account of the Trust, depending on the nature and allocation of the assets
generating such earnings, gains and losses. In particular, any earnings on cash dividends received with
respect to shares of Common Stock shall be allocated to accounts for Participants, except to the extent that
such cash dividends are distributed to Participants, if such shares are the subject of outstanding Plan Share
Awards, or, otherwise to the Plan Share Reserve.
8.05 Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred in the operation and administration of this Plan,
including those incurred by the Trustee, shall be paid by the Savings Bank.
8.06 Indemnification. Subject to the requirements and limitations of applicable laws and
regulations, the Parent and the Savings Bank shall indemnify, defend and hold the Trustee harmless against
all claims, expenses and liabilities arising out of or related to the exercise of the Trustee's powers and the
discharge of their duties hereunder, unless the same shall be due to their gross negligence or willful
misconduct.
Article IX
MISCELLANEOUS
9.01 Adjustments for Capital Changes. The aggregate number of Plan Shares available for
issuance pursuant to the Plan Share Awards and the number of Shares to which any Plan Share Award
relates shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the total number of outstanding
shares of Common Stock issued subsequent to the effective date of the Plan resulting from any split,
subdivision or consolidation of the Common Stock or other capital adjustment, change or exchange of the
Common Stock, or other increase or decrease in the number or kind of shares effected without receipt or
payment of consideration by the Parent.
9.02 Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board may, by resolution, at any time,
amend or terminate the Plan. The power to amend or terminate the Plan shall include the power to direct
the Trustee to return to the Parent all or any part of the assets of the Trust, including shares of Common
Stock held in the Plan Share Reserve, as well as shares of Common Stock and other assets subject to Plan
Share Awards which have not yet been earned by the Participants to whom they have been awarded.
However, the termination of the Trust shall not affect a Participant's right to earn Plan Share Awards and
to the distribution of Common Stock relating thereto, including earnings thereon, in accordance with the
terms of this Plan and the grant by the Committee or the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no action
of the Board may increase (other than as provided in Section 9.01 hereof) the maximum number of Plan
Shares permitted to be awarded under the Plan as specified at Section 5.03, materially increase the benefits
accruing to Participants under the Plan or materially modify the requirements for eligibility for participation
in the Plan unless such action of the Board shall be subject to ratification by the stockholders of the Parent.
9.03 Nontransferable. Plan Share Awards and rights to Plan Shares shall not be transferable
by a Participant, and during the lifetime of the Participant, Plan Shares may only be earned by and paid
to the Participant who was notified in writing of the Award by the Committee pursuant to Section 6.03.
No Participant or Beneficiary shall have any right in or claim to any assets of the Plan or Trust, nor shall
the Parent, Savings Bank, or any Subsidiary be subject to any claim for benefits hereunder.
9.04 No Employment Rights. Neither the Plan nor any grant of a Plan Share Award or Plan
Shares hereunder nor any action taken by the Trustee, the Committee or the Board in connection with the
Plan shall create any right, either express or implied, on the part of any Participant to continue in the
employ or service of the Parent, Savings Bank, or a Subsidiary thereof.
9.05 Voting and Dividend Rights. No Participant shall have any voting or dividend rights of
a stockholder with respect to any Plan Shares covered by a Plan Share Award, except as expressly provided
in Sections 7.02 and 7.04 above, prior to the time said Plan Shares are actually distributed to such
Participant.
9.06 Governing Law. The Plan and Trust shall be governed by and construed under the laws
of the State of Missouri, except to the extent that Federal Law shall be deemed applicable.
9.07 Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective as of the date of approval of the Plan by
stockholders of the Parent, subject to the receipt of approval or non-objection by the OTS or other
applicable banking regulator, if applicable.
9.08 Term of Plan. This Plan shall remain in effect until the earlier of (i) termination by the
Board, (ii) the distribution of all assets of the Trust, or (iii) 21 years from the Effective Date. Termination
of the Plan shall not effect any Plan Share Awards previously granted, and such Plan Share Awards shall
remain valid and in effect until they have been earned and paid, or by their terms expire or are forfeited.
9.09 Tax Status of Trust. It is intended that the Trust established hereby shall be treated as a
grantor trust of the Savings Bank under the provisions of Section 671 et seq. of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended, as the same may be amended from time to time.