EXHIBIT 10.3
RICHMOND COUNTY FINANCIAL CORP.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(As Amended and Restated)
This AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), originally entered into on February 17, 1998,
is amended and restated in its entirety, effective as of September 21, 1999, by
and between Richmond County Financial Corp. (the "Holding Company"), a
corporation organized under the laws of Delaware, with its principal offices at
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
("Executive"). Any reference to "Institution" herein shall mean Richmond County
Savings Bank or any successor thereto.
WHEREAS, the Holding Company wishes to continue to assure itself of the
services of Executive for the period provided in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Executive is willing to continue to serve in the employ of the
Holding Company on a full-time basis for said period.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the parties hereby
agree as follows:
1. POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
During the period of Executive's employment hereunder, Executive agrees to
serve as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Holding
Company. Executive shall render administrative and management services to the
Holding Company such as are customarily performed by persons in a similar
executive capacity. During said period, Executive also agrees to serve, if
appointed or elected, as the case may be, as an officer and director of any
subsidiary of the Holding Company.
2. TERMS.
(a) The period of Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be
deemed to have commenced as of the date first above written and shall continue
for a period of sixty (60) full calendar months from the effective date of this
Agreement, as amended and restated. Commencing on the date of the execution of
this Agreement, the term of this Agreement shall be extended for one day each
day, so that a constant sixty (60) calendar month term shall remain in effect,
until such time as the board of directors of the Holding Company (the "Board")
or Executive elects not to extend the term of the Agreement by giving written
notice to the other party in accordance with Section 8 of this Agreement, in
which case the term of this Agreement shall be fixed and shall end on the fifth
anniversary of the date of such written notice.
(b) During the period of Executive's employment hereunder, except for
periods of absence occasioned by illness, reasonable vacation periods, and other
reasonable leaves of
absence, Executive shall devote substantially all his business time, attention,
skill, and efforts to the faithful performance of his duties hereunder including
activities and services related to the organization, operation and management of
the Holding Company and its direct or indirect subsidiaries, including the
Institution, ("Subsidiaries") and participation in community and civic
organizations; provided, however, that, with the approval of the Board, as
evidenced by a resolution of the Board, from time to time, Executive may serve,
or continue to serve, on the boards of directors of, and hold any other offices
or positions in, companies or organizations, which, in the Board's judgment,
will not present any conflict of interest with the Holding Company or its
Subsidiaries, or materially affect the performance of Executive's duties
pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, either
Executive or the Holding may terminate Executive's employment with the Holding
Company at any time during the term of this Agreement, subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
(d) Under no circumstance shall Executive perform as part of his duties as
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Holding Company, in any
respect, directly or indirectly, during the pendency of any temporary or
permanent suspension from the Institution or upon termination of employment with
the Institution, any duties or responsibilities formerly performed at the
Institution.
3. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.
(a) The compensation specified under this Agreement shall constitute
consideration paid by the Holding Company in exchange for the duties described
in Section 1 of this Agreement. The Holding Company shall pay Executive, as
compensation, a salary of not less than $456,346 ("Base Salary"). Base Salary
shall include any amounts of compensation deferred by Executive under any
employee benefit plan or deferred compensation arrangement maintained by the
Holding Company or its Subsidiaries. Base Salary shall be payable bi-weekly.
During the period of this Agreement, Executive's Base Salary shall be reviewed
at least annually; on or about the 30/th/ day of each June. Such review shall
be conducted by the Board or by a committee designated by the Board. The
committee or the Board may increase Executive's Base Salary at any time. Any
increase in Base Salary shall become the new "Base Salary" for purposes of this
Agreement. In addition to the Base Salary provided for in this Section 3(a),
the Holding Company shall also provide Executive, at no premium cost to
Executive, with all such other benefits as provided uniformly to permanent full-
time employees of the Holding Company and its Subsidiaries.
(b) In addition to the Base Salary provided for in paragraph (a) of this
Section 3, the Holding Company will provide Executive with the opportunity to
participate in employee benefit plans, arrangements and perquisites
substantially equivalent to those in which Executive was participating or
otherwise deriving a benefit from immediately prior to the beginning of the term
of this Agreement, as amended and restated, and the Holding Company will not,
without
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Executive's prior written consent, make any changes in such plans, arrangements
or perquisites which would adversely affect Executive's rights or benefits
thereunder, without separately providing for an arrangement that ensures
Executive receives or will receive the economic value that Executive would
otherwise lose as a result of such adverse affect. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing provisions of this Subsection (b), Executive shall
be entitled to participate in or receive benefits under any employee benefit
plans, whether tax-qualified or otherwise, including, but not limited to,
retirement plans, supplemental retirement plans, pension plans, profit-sharing
plans, employee stock ownership plans, stock or option plans, health-and-
accident plans, medical coverage or any other employee benefit plan or
arrangement made available by the Holding Company and its Subsidiaries in the
future to its senior executives and key management employees, subject to and on
a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such
plans and arrangements (including designation by the Board of eligibility to
participate, if applicable). Executive shall also be entitled to incentive
compensation and bonuses as provided in any plan or arrangement of the Holding
Company or its Subsidiaries in which Executive is eligible to participate.
Nothing paid to Executive under any such plans or arrangements will be deemed to
be in lieu of other compensation to which Executive is entitled under this
Agreement.
(c) In addition to the Base Salary provided for by paragraph (a) of this
Section 3 and other compensation and benefits provided for by paragraph (b) of
this Section 3, the Holding Company shall pay or reimburse Executive for all
reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in performing his obligations under
this Agreement, as mutually agreed to by the Board and Executive.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3(d), the Holding Company
will provide to Executive for each calendar year during the term of this
Agreement and for the remaining term of this Agreement after a termination of
employment following an Event of Termination, as defined in Section 4 of this
Agreement, a "Benefit Equity Payment." The Benefit Equity Payment shall be paid
no later than 90 days after the close of the calendar year to which such payment
pertains ("Benefit Year"), and shall be in addition to any contributions
actually made (or benefits actually accrued) with respect to such Benefit Year
to any tax-qualified or non-tax-qualified compensation or benefit plan,
arrangement, policy or program funded or sponsored by the Holding Company or its
Subsidiaries, including but not limited to those of the following types:
deferred compensation, retirement, defined benefit pension, defined contribution
retirement, supplemental executive retirement, stock option or stock bonus
award, life insurance, health, medical, dental, disability, incentive
compensation or bonus plan, perquisites, or other fringe benefits ("Benefit
Plans"). The Benefit Equity Payment, which shall be calculated by an actuary,
accountant or other licensed professional, shall equal the amount of the
contributions (or other benefits) which would have been made or accrued for
Executive for the Benefit Year pursuant to all Benefit Plans as consideration
for his services described in Section 1 of this Agreement, but which were not
made or accrued because (i) the Benefit Plan(s) were terminated or not funded,
or (ii) Executive was no longer employed or will not be employed by the Holding
Company or its Subsidiaries.
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4. PAYMENTS TO EXECUTIVE UPON AN EVENT OF TERMINATION.
(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination (as herein defined)
during Executive's term of employment under this Agreement, the provisions of
this Section 4 shall apply. As used in this Agreement, an "Event of
Termination" shall mean and include any of the following: (i) the termination
by the Holding Company of Executive's full-time employment hereunder for any
reason other than Retirement (as defined in paragraph (f) of this Section 4); or
(ii) Executive's resignation from the Holding Company's employ, upon, any (A)
notice to Executive by the Holding Company of non-renewal of the term of this
Agreement, (B) failure to elect or reelect or to appoint or reappoint Executive
as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer or failure to renominate
Executive as a director of the Institution or Holding Company to the extent
Executive was previously serving as a director (unless Executive so consents),
(C) material change in Executive's function, duties, or responsibilities with
the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries, which change would cause Executive's
position to become one of lesser responsibility, importance, or scope from the
position and attributes thereof described in Section 1 of this Agreement,
(unless Executive so consents), (D) relocation of Executive's principal place of
employment by more than 25 miles from its location at the effective date of the
Agreement (unless Executive so consents), (E) reduction in the benefits,
arrangements and perquisites being provided to Executive pursuant to Section 3
of this Agreement, to which Executive does not consent or for which Executive is
not or will not be provided the economic benefit pursuant to Section 3(b) of
this Agreement, (F) liquidation or dissolution of the Holding Company or the
Institution, or (G) breach of this Agreement by the Holding Company. Upon the
occurrence of any event described in clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F) or
(G), above, Executive shall have the right to elect to terminate his employment
under this Agreement by resignation upon not less than sixty (60) days prior
written notice given within six full calendar months after the event giving rise
to said right to elect.
(b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, on the Date of
Termination, as defined in Section 8 of this Agreement, the Holding Company
shall be obligated to pay Executive, or, in the event of Executive's subsequent
death, his beneficiary or beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be: (i)
the amount of the remaining payments and benefits that Executive would have
earned if he had continued his employment with the Holding Company during the
remaining unexpired term of this Agreement, based on Executive's Base Salary and
benefits provided at the Date of Termination, as set forth in Sections 3(a), (b)
and (d) of this Agreement, as the case may be, and the amount still due
Executive under any paragraph of Section 3 for service rendered through the Date
of Termination. At the election of Executive, which election is to be made
within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination, such payments shall be made
in a lump sum (without discount for early payment) or paid monthly during the
remaining term of the agreement following Executive's termination. In the event
that no election is made, payment to Executive will be made in a lump sum. Such
payments shall not be reduced in the event Executive obtains other employment
following termination of employment.
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(c) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, Executive will be
entitled to receive benefits due him under or contributed by the Holding Company
or its Subsidiaries on his behalf pursuant to any retirement, incentive, profit
sharing, employee stock ownership, bonus, performance, disability or other
employee benefit plan maintained by the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries to
the extent such benefits are not otherwise paid to Executive under a separate
provision of this Agreement.
(d) To the extent that the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries continue to
offer any life, medical, health, disability or dental insurance plan or
arrangement in which Executive participates in on the last day of his employment
(each being a "Welfare Plan"), after an Event of Termination (as herein
defined), Executive and his dependents shall continue participating in such
Welfare Plans, subject to the same premium contributions on the part of
Executive as were required immediately prior to the Event of Termination until
the earlier of (i) his death (ii) his employment by another employer other than
one of which he is the majority owner or (iii) the end of the remaining term of
this Agreement. If the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries does not offer the
Welfare Plans after the Event of Termination, then the Holding Company shall
provide Executive with a payment equal to the actuarial value of the provision
of such benefit for the period which runs until the earlier of (i) his death;
(ii) his employment by another employer other than one of which he is the
majority owner; or (iii) the end of the remaining term of this Agreement.
(e) In the event that Executive is receiving monthly payments pursuant to
Section 4(b) hereof, on an annual basis, thereafter, between the dates of
January 1 and January 31 of each year, Executive shall elect whether, the
balance of the amount payable under the Agreement at that time shall be paid in
a lump sum or on a pro rata basis. Such election shall be irrevocable for the
year for which such election is made.
(f) Termination of Executive based on "Retirement" shall mean termination
in accordance with the Holding Company's or the Institution's retirement policy
or in accordance with any retirement arrangement established with Executive's
consent with respect to him. Upon termination of Executive upon Retirement,
Executive shall be entitled to all benefits under any retirement plan of the
Holding Company or its Subsidiaries and other plans to which Executive is a
party or a participant in accordance with the terms of the plan or arrangement.
5. CHANGE IN CONTROL.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" of the Holding
Company or the Institution shall mean an event of a nature that: (i) would be
required to be reported in response to Item 1(a) of the current report on Form
8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of ▇▇▇▇ (▇▇▇ "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇"); or (ii) results in a
Change in Control of the Bank or the Holding Company within the meaning of the
Change in Bank Control Act and the Rules and Regulations promulgated by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") at 12 C.F.R. Section 303.4(a),
with respect to the Institution, and the
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Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS")
(or its predecessor agency), with respect to the Holding Company, as in effect
on the date of this Agreement; or (iii) without limitation such a Change in
Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (A) any "person" (as
the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes
the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of voting securities of the Institution or the Holding
Company representing 20% or more of the Institution's or the Holding Company's
outstanding voting securities or right to acquire such securities except for any
voting securities of the Institution purchased by the Holding Company and any
voting securities purchased by any employee benefit plan of the Holding Company
or its Subsidiaries, or (B) individuals who constitute the Board on the date
hereof (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the
date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of
the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for election
by the Company's stockholders was approved by a Nominating Committee solely
composed of members which are Incumbent Board members, shall be, for purposes of
this clause (B), considered as though he were a member of the Incumbent Board,
or (C) a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of all or
substantially all the assets of the Institution or the Holding Company or
similar transaction occurs or is effectuated in which the Institution or Holding
Company is not the resulting entity, or (D) a proxy statement has been
distributed soliciting proxies from stockholders of the Holding Company, by
someone other than the current management of the Holding Company, seeking
stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation of the
Holding Company or Institution with one or more corporations as a result of
which the outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject to such
plan or transaction are exchanged for or converted into cash or property or
securities not issued by the Institution or the Holding Company shall be
distributed, or (E) a tender offer is made for 20% or more of the voting
securities of the Institution or Holding Company then outstanding.
(b) If any of the events described in Section 5(a) of this Agreement
constituting a Change in Control have occurred or the Board has determined that
a Change in Control has occurred, Executive shall be entitled to the benefits
provided in paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of this Section 5 upon his
termination of employment on or after the date the Change in Control occurs at
any time during the term of this Agreement due to (i) Executive's dismissal,
(ii) Executive's voluntary resignation for any reason on or within the sixty
(60) day period immediately following the date a Change in Control has occurred,
or (iii) Executive's resignation following any demotion, loss of title, office
or significant authority or responsibility, reduction in the annual compensation
or benefits or relocation of his principal place of employment by more than
twenty-five (25) miles from its location immediately prior to the Change in
Control, unless such termination is because of his death or Termination for
Cause (as defined in Section 7 of this Agreement).
(c) Upon Executive's entitlement to benefits pursuant to Section 5(b), the
Holding Company shall pay Executive, or in the event of his subsequent death,
his beneficiary or
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beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be, as severance pay or liquidated
damages, or both, a sum equal to the greater of: (i) the payments due for the
remaining term of the Agreement; or (ii) five (5) times Executive's annual
compensation for the most recently completed year. In determining Executive's
annual compensation, annual compensation shall include Base Salary and any other
taxable income, including but not limited to amounts related to the granting,
vesting or exercise of restricted stock or stock option awards, commissions,
bonuses, severance payments, retirement benefits, director or committee fees and
fringe benefits paid or to be paid to Executive or paid for Executive's benefit
during any such year, as well as pension, profit sharing plan, employee stock
ownership and other retirement contributions or benefits (whether or not
taxable) made or accrued on behalf of Executive for such year. At the election
of Executive, which election is to be made prior to or within thirty (30) days
of the Date of Termination on or following a Change in Control, such payment may
be made in a lump sum (without discount for early payment) on or immediately
following the Date of Termination (which may be the date a change in Control
occurs) or paid in equal monthly installments during the sixty (60) months
following Executive's termination. In the event that no election is made,
payment to Executive will be made on a monthly basis during the remaining sixty
(60) month term of the Agreement. Such payments shall not be reduced in the
event Executive obtains other employment following termination of employment.
(d) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control followed by Executive's
termination of employment, Executive will be entitled to receive benefits due
him under or contributed by the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries on his
behalf pursuant to any retirement, incentive, profit sharing, employee stock
ownership, bonus, performance, disability or other employee benefit plan
maintained by the Institution or the Holding Company on Executive's behalf to
the extent such benefits are not otherwise paid to Executive under a separate
provision of this Agreement.
(e) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control and Executive's termination
of employment in connection therewith, the Holding Company will cause to be
continued life, medical and disability coverage substantially identical to the
coverage maintained by the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries for Executive and
any of his dependents covered under such plans prior to the Change in Control.
Such coverage and payments shall cease upon the expiration of sixty (60) full
calendar months following the Date of Termination. In the event Executive's
participation in any such plan or program is barred, the Holding Company shall
arrange to provide Executive and his dependents with benefits substantially
similar as those of which Executive and his dependents would otherwise have been
entitled to receive under such plans and programs from which their continued
participation is barred or provide their economic equivalent.
(f) The use or provision of any membership, license, automobile use, or
other perquisites shall be continued during the remaining term of the Agreement
on the same financial terms and obligations as were in place immediately prior
to the Change in Control. To the extent that any item referred to in this
paragraph will at the end of the term of this Agreement, no longer be available
to Executive, Executive will have the option to purchase all rights then held by
the
7
Holding Company or its Subsidiaries to such item for a price equal to the then
fair market value of the item.
(g) In the event that Executive is receiving monthly payments pursuant to
Section 5(c) hereof, on an annual basis, thereafter, between the dates of
January 1 and January 31 of each year, Executive shall elect whether the balance
of the amount payable under the Agreement at that time shall be paid in a lump
sum or on a pro rata basis pursuant to such section. Such election shall be
irrevocable for the year for which such election is made.
6. CHANGE OF CONTROL RELATED PROVISIONS.
(a) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of Section 5 of this
Agreement, for any taxable year in which Executive shall be liable, as
determined for the payment of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (or
any successor provision thereto), with respect to any payment in the nature of
the compensation made by the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries to (or for the
benefit of) Executive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, the Holding
Company shall pay to Executive an amount determined under the following formula:
An amount equal to: (E x P) + X
WHERE:
X = E x ▇
▇ - [(▇▇ ▇ (▇ - ▇▇▇)) + SLI + E]
E = the rate at which the excise tax is assessed under Section 4999
of the Code;
P = the amount with respect to which such excise tax is assessed,
determined without regard to this Section 6;
FI = the highest marginal rate of federal income, employment, and
other taxes (other than taxes imposed under Section 4999 of the
Code) applicable to Executive for the taxable year in question
(including any effective increase in Executive's tax rate
attributable to the disallowance of any deduction); and
SLI = the sum of the highest marginal rates of income and payroll tax
applicable to Executive under applicable state and local laws for
the taxable year in question (including any effective increase in
Executive's tax rate attributable to the disallowance of any
deduction).
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With respect to any payment in the nature of compensation that is made to (or
for the benefit of) Executive under the terms of this Section or otherwise and
on which an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code will be assessed, the
payment determined under this Section 6 shall be made to Executive on the
earliest of (i) the date the Holding Company is required to withhold such tax,
(ii) the date the tax is required to be paid by Executive, or (iii) at the time
of the Change in Control. It is the intention of the parties that the Holding
Company provide Executive with a full tax gross-up under the provisions of this
Section 6, so that on a net after-tax basis, the result to Executive shall be
the same as if the excise tax under Section 4999 (or any successor provisions)
of the Code had not been imposed. The tax gross-up may be adjusted if
alternative minimum tax rules are applicable to Executive.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it shall subsequently be determined
in a final judicial determination or a final administrative settlement to which
Executive is a party that the excess parachute payment as defined in Section
4999 of the Code, reduced as described above, is more than the amount determined
as "P", above (such greater amount being hereafter referred to as the
"Determinative Excess Parachute Payment"), then the Holding Company's
independent accountants shall determine the amount (the "Adjustment Amount"),
the Holding Company must pay to Executive, in order to put Executive (or the
Holding Company, as the case may be) in the same position as Executive (or the
Holding Company, as the case may be) would have been if the amount determined as
"P" above had been equal to the Determinative Excess Parachute Payment. In
determining the Adjustment Amount, the independent accountants shall take into
account any and all taxes (including any penalties and interest) paid by or for
Executive or refunded to Executive or for Executive's benefit. As soon as
practicable after the Adjustment Amount has been so determined, the Holding
Company shall pay the Adjustment Amount to Executive.
(c) In each calendar year that Executive receives payments or benefits
under this Agreement, Executive shall report on his state and federal income tax
returns such information as is consistent with the determination made by the
independent accountants of the Holding Company as described above. The Holding
Company shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless from any and all losses,
costs and expenses (including without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees,
interest, fines and penalties) which Executive incurs as a result of reporting
such information. Executive shall promptly notify the Holding Company in
writing whenever Executive receives notice of the Bank of a judicial or
administrative proceeding, formal or informal, in which the federal tax
treatment under Section 4999 of the Code of any amount paid or payable under
this Supplemental Agreement is being reviewed or is in dispute. The Holding
Company shall assume control at its expense over all legal and accounting
matters pertaining to such federal tax treatment (except to the extent necessary
or appropriate for Executive to resolve any such proceeding with respect to any
matter unrelated to amounts paid or payable pursuant to this contract) and
Executive shall cooperate fully with the Holding Company in any such proceeding.
Executive shall not enter into any compromise or settlement or otherwise
prejudice any rights the Holding Company may have in connection therewith
without prior consent to the Holding Company.
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7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.
The term "Termination for Cause" shall mean termination because of: 1)
Executive's personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty
involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful
violation of any law, rule, regulation (other than traffic violations or similar
offenses), final cease and desist order or material breach of any provision of
this Agreement which results in a material loss to the Institution or the
Holding Company, or 2) Executive's conviction of a crime or act involving moral
turpitude or a final judgement rendered against Executive based upon actions of
Executive which involve moral turpitude. For the purposes of this Section, no
act, or the failure to act, on Executive's part shall be "willful" unless done,
or omitted to be done, not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the
action or omission was in the best interests of the Bank or its affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have been
terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a
Notice of Termination which shall include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by
the affirmative vote of not less than three-fourths of the members of the Board
at a meeting of the Board called and held for that purpose (after reasonable
notice to Executive and an opportunity for him, together with counsel, to be
heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board,
Executive was guilty of conduct justifying Termination for Cause and specifying
the particulars thereof in detail. Executive shall not have the right to
receive compensation or other benefits for any period after Termination for
Cause. During the period beginning on the date of the Notice of Termination for
Cause pursuant to Section 8 hereof through the Date of Termination, stock
options and related limited rights granted to Executive under any stock option
plan shall not be exercisable nor shall any unvested awards granted to Executive
under any stock benefit plan of the Institution, the Holding Company or any
subsidiary or affiliate thereof, vest. At the Date of Termination, such stock
options and related limited rights and any such unvested awards shall become
null and void and shall not be exercisable by or delivered to Executive at any
time subsequent to such Termination for Cause.
8. NOTICE.
(a) Any purported termination by the Holding Company or by Executive shall
be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written
notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement
relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated.
(b) "Date of Termination" shall mean the date specified in the Notice of
Termination (which, in the case of a Termination for Cause, shall not be less
than thirty (30) days from the date such Notice of Termination is given);
provided, however, that if a dispute regarding
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Executive's termination exists, the "Date of Termination" shall be determined in
accordance with Section 8(c) of this Agreement.
(c) If, within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination is given,
the party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the other party that a
dispute exists concerning the termination, except upon the occurrence of a
Change in Control and voluntary termination by Executive in which case the Date
of Termination shall be the date specified in the Notice, the Date of
Termination shall be the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either
by mutual written agreement of the parties, by a binding arbitration award, or
by a final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the
time for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected)
and; provided, further, that the Date of Termination shall be extended by a
notice of dispute only if such notice is given in good faith and the party
giving such notice pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable
diligence. Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, the Holding
Company will continue to pay Executive his full compensation in effect when the
notice giving rise to the dispute was given (including, but not limited to, Base
Salary) and continue him as a participant in all compensation, benefit and
insurance plans in which he was participating when the notice of dispute was
given, until the dispute is finally resolved in accordance with this Agreement.
Amounts paid under this Section are in addition to all other amounts due under
this Agreement and shall not be offset against or reduce any other amounts due
under this Agreement.
9. POST-TERMINATION OBLIGATIONS.
All payments and benefits to Executive under this Agreement shall be
subject to Executive's compliance with this Section 9 for one (1) full year
after the earlier of the expiration of this Agreement or termination of
Executive's employment with the Holding Company. Executive shall, upon
reasonable notice, furnish such information and assistance to the Holding
Company as may reasonably be required by the Holding Company in connection with
any litigation in which it or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is, or may
become, a party.
10. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-DISCLOSURE.
(a) Upon any termination of Executive's employment hereunder pursuant to
Section 4 hereof, Executive agrees not to compete with the Holding Company or
its Subsidiaries for a period of one (1) year following such termination in any
city, town or county in which Executive's normal business office is located and
the Holding Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an office or has filed an
application for regulatory approval to establish an office, determined as of the
effective date of such termination, except as agreed to pursuant to a resolution
duly adopted by the Board. Executive agrees that during such period and within
said cities, towns and counties, Executive shall not work for or advise, consult
or otherwise serve with, directly or indirectly, any entity whose business
materially competes with the depository, lending or other business activities of
the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries. The parties hereto, recognizing that
irreparable injury will result to the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries, its
business and
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property in the event of Executive's breach of this Subsection 10(a) agree that
in the event of any such breach by Executive, the Holding Company or its
Subsidiaries, will be entitled, in addition to any other remedies and damages
available, to an injunction to restrain the violation hereof by Executive,
Executive's partners, agents, servants, employees and all persons acting for or
under the direction of Executive. Executive represents and admits that in the
event of the termination of his employment pursuant to Section 7 hereof,
Executive's experience and capabilities are such that Executive can obtain
employment in a business engaged in other lines and/or of a different nature
than the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries, and that the enforcement of a
remedy by way of injunction will not prevent Executive from earning a
livelihood. Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting the Holding Company
or its Subsidiaries from pursuing any other remedies available to the Holding
Company or its Subsidiaries for such breach or threatened breach, including the
recovery of damages from Executive.
(b) Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the knowledge of the
business activities and plans for business activities of the Holding Company and
its Subsidiaries as it may exist from time to time, is a valuable, special and
unique asset of the business of the Holding Company and its Subsidiaries.
Executive will not, during or after the term of his employment, disclose any
knowledge of the past, present, planned or considered business activities of the
Holding Company and its Subsidiaries thereof to any person, firm, corporation,
or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever unless expressly authorized
by the Board of Directors or required by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Executive may disclose any knowledge of banking, financial and/or economic
principles, concepts or ideas which are not solely and exclusively derived from
the business plans and activities of the Holding Company. Further, Executive
may disclose information regarding the business activities of the Bank or
Holding Company to the Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York, the New
York Banking Department, OTS and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
("FDIC") pursuant to a formal regulatory request. In the event of a breach or
threatened breach by Executive of the provisions of this Section, the Holding
Company will be entitled to an injunction restraining Executive from disclosing,
in whole or in part, the knowledge of the past, present, planned or considered
business activities of the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries or from rendering
any services to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity to whom such
knowledge, in whole or in part, has been disclosed or is threatened to be
disclosed. Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting the Holding Company
from pursuing any other remedies available to the Holding Company for such
breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from Executive.
11. SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.
(a) All payments provided in this Agreement shall be timely paid in cash or
check from the general funds of the Holding Company subject to Section 11(b).
(b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, to the extent
that payments and benefits, as provided by this Agreement, are paid to or
received by Executive under an the employment agreement in effect between
Executive and the Institution, such compensation
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payments and benefits paid by the Institution will be subtracted from any amount
due simultaneously to Executive under similar provisions of this Agreement.
Payments pursuant to this Agreement and the Institution Agreement shall be
allocated in proportion to the level of activity and the time expended on such
activities by Executive as determined by the Holding Company and the Institution
on a quarterly basis.
12. EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND EXISTING BENEFITS PLANS.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto
and supersedes any prior employment agreement between the Holding Company or any
predecessor of the Holding Company and Executive, except that this Agreement
shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation inuring to
Executive of a kind elsewhere provided. No provision of this Agreement shall be
interpreted to mean that Executive is subject to receiving fewer benefits than
those available to him without reference to this Agreement.
13. NO ATTACHMENT.
(a) Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this
Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale,
assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution,
attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any
attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to affect any such action shall be null,
void, and of no effect.
(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of,
Executive and the Holding Company and their respective successors and assigns.
14. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER.
(a) This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument
in writing signed by the parties hereto.
(b) No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been
waived, nor shall there be any estoppel against the enforcement of any provision
of this Agreement, except by written instrument of the party charged with such
waiver or estoppel. No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver
unless specifically stated therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as
to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of
such term or condition for the future as to any act other than that specifically
waived.
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15. SEVERABILITY.
If, for any reason, any provision of this Agreement, or any part of any
provision, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision
of this Agreement or any part of such provision not held so invalid, and each
such other provision and part thereof shall to the full extent consistent with
law continue in full force and effect.
16. HEADINGS FOR REFERENCE ONLY.
The headings of sections and paragraphs herein are included solely for
convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of
any of the provisions of this Agreement.
17. GOVERNING LAW.
The validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to
principles of conflict of laws of this state.
18. ARBITRATION.
Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this
Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel
of three arbitrators sitting in a location selected by Executive within fifty
(50) miles from the location of the Institution, in accordance with the rules of
the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on
the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction; provided, however, that
Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of his right to be paid
until the Date of Termination during the pendency of any dispute or controversy
arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
19. PAYMENT OF COSTS AND LEGAL FEES AND REINSTATEMENT OF BENEFITS.
In the event any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with
Executive's termination is resolved in favor of Executive, whether by judgment,
arbitration or settlement, Executive shall be entitled to the payment of: (1)
all legal fees incurred by Executive in resolving such dispute or controversy,
and (2) any back-pay, including salary, bonuses and any other cash compensation,
fringe benefits and any compensation and benefits due Executive under this
Agreement.
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20. INDEMNIFICATION.
The Holding Company shall provide Executive (including his heirs, executors
and administrators) with coverage under a standard directors' and officers'
liability insurance policy at its expense and shall indemnify Executive (and his
heirs, executors and administrators) to the fullest extent permitted under
Delaware law against all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by him in
connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which he may
be involved by reason of his having been a director or officer of the Holding
Company (whether or not he continues to be a director or officer at the time of
incurring such expenses or liabilities), such expenses and liabilities to
include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs and attorneys' fees and
the cost of reasonable settlements.
21. SUCCESSOR TO THE HOLDING COMPANY.
The Holding Company shall require any successor or assignee, whether direct
or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or
substantially all the business or assets of the Institution or the Holding
Company, expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the
Holding Company's obligations under this Agreement, in the same manner and to
the same extent that the Holding Company would be required to perform if no such
succession or assignment had taken place.
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SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Richmond County Financial Corp. has caused this
Agreement, as amended and restated, to be executed and its seal to be affixed
hereunto by its duly authorized officer and its directors, and Executive has
signed this Agreement, on the 21st day of September, 1999.
ATTEST: RICHMOND COUNTY FINANCIAL CORP.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
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For the Entire Board of Directors
[SEAL]
WITNESS: EXECUTIVE
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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