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EXHIBIT-10.1
(Revised draft 9/19/95)
(Version A)
TRANSITIONAL COMPENSATION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between Amcore Financial, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the
"Company"), and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Executive"), dated as of the 25th
day of September, 1995. This Agreement restates and supersedes any and
all prior agreements between the Company and the Executive relating to the
subject matter of this Agreement.
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, 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 benefit 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 similar
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:
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1. Certain Definitions
(a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during the Change of
Control Period (as defined in paragraph (b), below) 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 or the Executive ceases to be an
officer of the Company 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 or cessation of status as an officer (i) was at the request of a
third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect the Change of
Control, or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of the
Change of Control and was not (A) for conduct by the Executive of the type
described in Section 4(b), below, (B) for significant deficiencies in the
Executive's performance of his duties to the Company (including, but not by way
of limitation, significant failure to cooperate in implementing a decision of
the Board), or (C) for some other specific substantial business reason
unrelated to the 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 or cessation of status as an officer.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on the
date of execution hereof and ending on the third anniversary of such date;
provided, however, that commencing on the date one (1) year after the date
hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual
anniversary thereof being hereinafter referred to as a "Renewal Date"), this
Agreement and the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so
as to terminate three (3) years from such Renewal Date, unless at least sixty
(60)
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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, in which case this
Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of the Change of Control Period.
2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of
Control" shall mean:
(a) The acquisition, other than from the Company, 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")) of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act)
of fifteen percent (15%) or more of either the then outstanding shares of
common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, but excluding for this purpose any such acquisition by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) of the Company or its subsidiaries, or any corporation with
respect to which, following such acquisition, more than sixty percent (60%) of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation
and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
common stock and voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such
acquisition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership,
immediately prior to such acquisition, of the then outstanding shares of common
stock of the Company or the combined voting power of
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the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be; 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 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 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 is in connection with an actual
or threatened election contest relating to the election of the directors of the
Company (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 Regulation 14A promulgated under
the Exchange Act); or
(c) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of (i) a reorganization,
merger or consolidation of the Company, in each case, with respect to which all
or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the respective
beneficial owners of the common stock and voting securities of the Company
immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not,
following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, beneficially own,
directly or indirectly, more than sixty percent (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
reorganization, merger or consolidation, or (ii) a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company, or (iii) the sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company.
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3. Effective Period. This Agreement shall be in effect for the period
commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of such
date (the "Effective Period").
4. Termination of Employment
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death during the Effective Period. If the
Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has
occurred during the Effective Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability
as set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance
with Section 11(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 thirtieth (30th) day after receipt of
such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that,
within the thirty (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 one hundred and
eighty (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 (such agreement as to
acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably.)
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during
the Effective Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall
mean (i) repeated violations by the Executive of the Executive's assigned
duties as an employee of the Company (other than as a result of incapacity due
to physical or mental illness) which are demonstrably
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willful and deliberate on the Executive's part, which are committed in bad
faith or without reasonable belief that such violations are in the best
interests of the Company, and which are not remedied within thirty (30) days
after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such violations or
(ii) the conviction of the Executive of a felony involving moral turpitude.
(c) Good Reason
(i) The Executive's employment may be terminated during the Effective
Period by the Executive for Good Reason (as defined below).
(ii) For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:
(A) The assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any
material respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, 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
within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(B) Any reduction by the Company in Executive's compensation or
benefits as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, other than an
isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent reduction not occurring in bad faith
and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof
given by the Executive;
(C) The Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any office or
location other than that in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date;
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(D) Any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(E) Any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section 10(c)
of this Agreement, provided that such successor has received at
least ten (10) days prior written notice from the Company or the Executive of
the requirements of Section 10(c) of this Agreement. For purposes of this
Section 4(c), any good faith determination of "Good Reason" made by the
Executive shall be conclusive.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or
by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by a Notice of
Termination to the other party given in accordance with Section 11(b) of this
Agreement. 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
fifteen (15) 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 hereunder or preclude the
Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing
the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
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(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 Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be 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 Termination shall be
the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the
case may be.
5. Obligations of the Company upon Termination
(a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, during
the Effective 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
thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:
A. The sum of (1) the Executive's then current annual base salary
through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid; (2) the
product of (x) Executive's Recent Average Bonus (as defined below) and (y) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the then current
fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is
three hundred and sixty-five (365); (3) any compensation previously deferred by
the Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon); and (4)
any accrued vacation pay; in each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the
sum of the amounts described in parts (1), (2), (3) and (4), above, being
hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued
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Obligations"). For purposes of this Agreement, Executive's Recent Average
Bonus shall be the average annualized (for any fiscal year consisting of less
than twelve (12) full months or with respect to which the Executive has been
employed by the Company for less than twelve (12) full months) bonus paid or
payable, before taking into account any deferral, to the Executive by the
Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the three (3) fiscal years
immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the termination of Executive's
employment occurs; and
B. The amount (such amount being hereinafter referred to as the
"Severance Amount") equal to the product of multiplying by three (3) the sum of
(1) the Executive's then current annual base salary and (2) Executive's Recent
Average Bonus; provided, however, that such amount shall be reduced by the
present value (determined as provided in Section 280G(d)(4) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")) of any other amount of severance
relating to salary or bonus continuation to be received by the Executive, upon
such termination of employment, under any other severance plan, policy or
arrangement of the Company; and
C. A separate lump-sum supplemental retirement benefit (the amount of
such benefit being hereinafter referred to as the "Supplemental Retirement
Amount") equal to the difference between (1) the actuarial equivalent
(utilizing for this purpose the actuarial assumptions utilized with respect to
the Financial Security plans of the Company (or any successor plans
thereto) (the "Retirement Plans") during the ninety (90)-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date) of the benefits payable under the Retirement
Plans and under any supplemental and/or excess retirement plans of the Company
and its affiliated companies providing benefits for the Executive (the "SERPs")
which the Executive would have
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received if the Executive's employment had continued (at the compensation level
in effect at the time of termination of Executive's employment) for three (3)
years after the Date of Termination, assuming for this purpose that all accrued
benefits are fully vested and that benefit accrual formulas are no less
advantageous to the Executive than those in effect during the ninety (90)-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date, and (2) the actuarial
equivalent (utilizing for this purpose the actuarial assumptions utilized with
respect to the Retirement Plans during the ninety (90)-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date) of the Executive's actual benefits (paid or
payable), if any, under the Retirement Plans and the SERPs; and
(ii) For three (3) years after the Date of Termination, or such longer
period as any other plan, program, practice or policy may provide, the
Executive's employment shall continue under all applicable stock option plans,
restricted stock plans, and other equity incentive plans or programs of the
Company and its affiliates solely for purposes of determining (A) the date(s)
on which any option(s) or similar right(s) shall become exercisable or shall
expire and (B) the date(s) on which any stock restriction(s) shall lapse;
provided that if such continuation is not possible under the provisions of such
plans or programs or under applicable law, the Company shall arrange to provide
benefits to the Executive substantially equivalent in value to those required
to be provided under this subparagraph (ii).
(iii) For three (3) years after the Date of Termination, or such longer
period as any other plan, program, practice or policy may provide, 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, if the Executive's
employment had not been terminated, in accordance with (A) the welfare benefit
plans, practices, programs or policies of the Company and its
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affiliated companies as in effect and applicable generally to other peer
executives and their families during the ninety (90)-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or (B) if more favorable to the Executive, those
in effect generally from time to time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families (such
continuation of such benefits for the applicable period herein set forth being
hereinafter referred to as "Welfare Benefit Continuation"); provided that if
such continued coverage is not permitted by the applicable plans or by
applicable law, the Company shall provide the Executive and/or Executive's
family with comparable benefits of equal value; and provided further 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. For purposes of determining eligibility of the Executive for
retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the
Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until the end of the
Effective Period and to have retired on the last day of such period; and
(iv) To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall
timely pay or provide to the Executive and/or the Executive's family any other
amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive
and/or the Executive's family is eligible to receive pursuant to this Agreement
or under (A) any other plan, program, policy or practice, or contract or
agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect and
applicable generally to other peer executives and their families during the
ninety (90)-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or (B) if more
favorable to the Executive, those in
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effect generally from time to time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families (such
other amounts and benefits being 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 Effective Period, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this
Agreement, other than for (i) payment of the Accrued Obligations (which shall
be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum
in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination) and (ii) the timely
payment or provision of the Welfare Benefit Continuation and Other Benefits.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's Disability during the Effective Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for (i)
payment of the Accrued Obligations (which shall be paid to the Executive in a
lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination) and (ii)
the timely payment or provision of the Welfare Benefit Continuation and Other
Benefits.
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment
shall be terminated for Cause during the Effective Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the
obligation to pay the Executive's then current annual base salary through the
Date of Termination, plus the amount of any compensation previously deferred by
the Executive, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive
terminates employment during the Effective Period, excluding a termination for
Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive, other than
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for (i) the Accrued Obligations and (ii) the timely payment or provision of
Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
Executive in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Date of
Termination.
6. Certain Additional Payments by the Company. The Company agrees that:
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to
or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but
determined without regard to any additional payments required under this
Section 6) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code") or if 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, being
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 Payment.
(b) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c), below, all determinations
required to be made under this Section 6, 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 McGladrey &
Company (the "Accounting Firm"), which
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shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the
Executive within fifteen (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 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 6, shall be paid by the Company to the
Executive within five (5) days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable
by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a written opinion that
failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executive's applicable federal income
tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar
penalty. Any good faith 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
paragraph (c), below, 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.
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(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 a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable but no later than fifteen (15) 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 thirty
(30)-day period following the date on which 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,
(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
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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
limiting the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (c), the Company shall
control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole
option, may pursue or forego 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.
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(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to paragraph (c), above, 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 said paragraph (c)) promptly
pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid
or credited thereon, after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by
the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to said paragraph
(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 thirty (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 the Gross-Up Payment
required to be paid.
7. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Except as explicitly provided in this
Agreement, 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 shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such
rights as the Executive may have under applicable law or under any other
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 other plan, policy, practice or program of, or any other
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.
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8. Full Settlement; Resolution of Disputes
(a) 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 provided in Section
5(a)(iii) of this Agreement, such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not
the Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay promptly as
incurred, to the fullest 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 under, any provision of this Agreement or
any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest
initiated by the Executive about the amount of any payment due pursuant to this
Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable
federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.
(b) If there shall be any dispute between the Company and the Executive
(i) in the event of any termination of the Executive's employment by the
Company, whether such termination was for Cause, or (ii) in the event of any
termination of employment by the Executive, whether Good Reason existed, then,
unless and until there is a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of
competent jurisdiction declaring that such termination was for Cause or that
the determination by the Executive of the existence of Good Reason was not made
in good
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faith, the Company shall pay all amounts, and provide all benefits, to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family or other beneficiaries, as the case may
be, that the Company would be required to pay or provide pursuant to Section
5(a) hereof as though such termination were by the Company without Cause or by
the Executive with Good Reason; provided, however, that the Company shall not
be required to pay any disputed amounts pursuant to this paragraph except upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Executive and/or the other
recipient(s), as the case may be, to repay all such amounts to which the
Executive or other recipient, as the case may be, is ultimately adjudged by
such court not to be entitled.
9. 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. However, in no event shall an asserted
violation of the provisions of this Section 9 constitute a basis for deferring
or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this
Agreement.
10. Successors
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(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and, without the prior
written consent of the Company, no obligations or rights hereunder shall be
assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent or
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.
(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.
11. Miscellaneous
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Illinois, without reference to principles of choice of
law. The captions of this Agreement are for convenience only and 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 to the other party by hand delivery or commercial messenger
delivery or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:
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If to the Executive:
If to the Company:
Amcore Financial, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: _________________________
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 or local 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 the failure to assert any right that
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 4(c) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such
provision or right or of any other provision of or right under this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that this Agreement is not a
contract of employment and 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
22
Company is, and shall remain during the Effective Period, "at will" and may,
subject to Section 5, above, be terminated by either the Executive or the
Company at any time. Moreover, subject to Section 1, above, if prior to the
Effective Date (i) the Executive's employment with the Company and all
affiliates terminates or (ii) the Executive ceases to be an officer of the
Company and of all affiliates, then the Executive shall have no further rights
under this Agreement.
(g) This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between
the Company and the Executive and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the Company and Executive relating to the subject matter
hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand and,
pursuant to the authorization of its Board of Directors, the Company has caused
these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and
year first above written.
AMCORE FINANCIAL, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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Its Chairman Pres. & C.E.O.
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/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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("Executive")