AMENDED AND RESTATED TRANSITIONAL COMPENSATION AGREEMENT

Contract Categories: Human Resources - Compensation Agreements
EX-10.12 2 dex1012.htm AMENDED AND RESTATED TRANSITIONAL COMPENSATION AGREEMENT Amended and Restated Transitional Compensation Agreement

Exhibit 10.12

AMENDED AND RESTATED

TRANSITIONAL COMPENSATION AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT by and between AMCORE Financial, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and [Participant] (the “Executive”), dated as of the 2nd day of January 2008. This Agreement amends, restates and supersedes any and all prior agreements between the Company and the Executive relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, including (but not by way of limitation) the Transitional Compensation Agreement dated April 30, 2007.

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.

As a condition to the effectiveness of this Agreement, the Executive has executed the Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Certain Definitions.

(a) The “Effective Date” shall mean the first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in 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 which commenced on April 30, 2007, and ending on the third anniversary of such date; provided, however, that on April 30, 2008, 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) 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 or, if an Effective Period (as defined in Section 3) is then in effect, upon the expiration of the Effective Period.

2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence, after the date hereof, of any of the following events:

(a) The acquisition, other than from the Company, by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or l4(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of Company securities immediately after which such person is the beneficial owner (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

 

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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 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 the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including, but not limited to, a consent solicitation, relating to the election of the directors of the Company (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation l4A promulgated under the Exchange Act); or

(c) There occurs (i) a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary 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 ultimate parent corporation of any corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation, or (ii) shareholder approval of 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.

3. Effective Period. The Effective Period shall be in effect for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the second 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

 

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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.

(i) The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the Effective Period for Cause and may suspend the Executive from his duties with full pay and benefits if the Executive is indicted for a felony involving moral turpitude; provided, however, that the Executive will repay all amounts paid by the Company from the date of such suspension if the Executive is convicted of such felony. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean (A) the willful and continued failure by the Executive to substantially perform the Executive’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness or any such actual or anticipated failure after the issuance of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason by the Executive pursuant to Section 4(d) hereof) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties, or (B) the willful engaging by the Executive in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or its subsidiaries, monetarily or otherwise. For purposes of clauses (A) and (B) of this definition, (x) no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Executive’s act, or failure to act, was in the best interest of the Company and (y) in the event of a dispute concerning the application of this provision, no claim by the Company that Cause exists shall be given effect unless the Company establishes to the Board by clear and convincing evidence that Cause exists, and the Board adopts a finding to that effect.

(ii) A Notice of Termination for Cause must include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters (3/4) of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board

 

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which was called and held for the purpose of considering such termination (after reasonable notice to the Executive and an opportunity for the Executive, together with the Executive’s counsel, to be heard before the Board) finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive was guilty of conduct set forth in clause (A) or (B) of the definition of Cause herein, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

(c) Good Reason. The Executive’s employment may be terminated during the Effective Period by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:

(i) The assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any 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, including, without limitation, if the Executive was, immediately prior to the Effective Date, an executive officer of a public company, the Executive ceasing to be an executive officer of a public company, but 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;

(ii) 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;

(iii) The Company’s requiring the Executive to be based at any office or location more than twenty (20) miles from that in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date;

(iv) Any purported termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or

(v) 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.

 

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(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.

(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 or by the Executive other than for good reason, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the terminating party notifies the other party 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.

(f) Separation From Service. “Separation From Service” means a termination of employment that meets the “separation from service” requirements under section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and section 1.409A-1(h) of the regulations thereunder (as may be amended from time to time and including any successor thereto).

5. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.

(a) By Company Other Than for Cause or Disability or By Executive for Good Reason. 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 the following amounts, payment to be made at the times described below:

(A) The sum of

(1) the Executive’s then-current annual base salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, which amount shall be paid in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination;

 

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(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). This amount shall be paid during the 30-day period commencing six months subsequent to Executive’s Separation From Service, and, in order to compensate for the delay, the amounts to be paid shall be increased by six-months interest, computed at the prime rate as reported in the Wall Street Journal on the nearest date preceding the Separation From Service (the “Prime Rate”);;

(3) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon and as adjusted to reflect any other appreciation or depreciation in value) ) . This amount shall be paid in cash within 30 days after the Separation From Service; provided that, the payment described in this section 5(a)(i)(A)(3) shall only be paid as an immediate lump sum if (x) a lump sum payment had been previously elected by the Executive in accordance with section 409A or (y) the Separation From Service is within two years following the Change in Control and the Change in Control would also qualify as a Change in Control under section 409A and the regulations thereunder; and

(4) any accrued vacation pay; the extent not theretofore paid, which amount shall be paid in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination (the sum of the amounts described in parts (1), (2), (3) and (4), above, being hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”).

For purposes of this Agreement, Executive’s Recent Average Bonus shall be the average annualized (for any fiscal year consisting of less than 12 full months or with respect to which the Executive has been employed by the Company for less than 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 fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the termination of the Executive’s employment occurs; provided, however, that (i) if the Executive was not employed by the Company for any full fiscal year that would otherwise be included in the calculation of Recent Average Bonus, that year will be excluded from the calculation of Recent Average Bonus; and (ii) if the Executive was not employed by the Company for at least one full fiscal year during the period that would otherwise be included in the calculation of Recent Average Bonus, the Executive’s Recent Average Bonus will instead be calculated as the Executive’s Target Bonus for the year in which the termination occurred; and

 

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(B) The amount (such amount being hereinafter referred to as the “Severance Amount”) equal to (i) the product of 1.00 multiplied by the Executive’s then-current annual base salary, plus (ii) the product of 1.00 multiplied by the Executive’s Recent Average Bonus; provided, however, that the aggregate of such amounts shall be reduced by the present value (determined as provided in Section 280G(d)(4) 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. The Severance Amount (also referred to as the “Non-Compete Payment”) shall be deemed to be allocable to the performance of the covenants applicable to Executive pursuant to the Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A. This amount shall be paid during the 30-day period commencing six months subsequent to Executive’s Separation From Service, and, in order to compensate for the delay, the amounts to be paid shall be increased by six-months interest at the Prime Rate; and

(ii) At the Date of Termination, stock options, restricted stock, and other awards relating to stock under equity incentive plans or programs of the Company and its affiliates which would have become vested (non-forfeitable) if Executive’s employment had continued for thirty-six (36) months thereafter, excluding awards that require performance goals to be achieved in addition to passage of time and continued employment, will be immediately vested and exercisable, and any such stock options and other outstanding stock options already vested at or before the Date of Termination shall remain outstanding and exercisable for a period that is the greater of one year after the Date of Termination (but in no event after the stated expiration date of such option) or such longer period as may be provided under the applicable plan or program, and any such awards subject to settlement at a date later than the vesting date shall be immediately settled; provided, however, that rights set forth in this paragraph 5(a)(ii) shall be subject to the limitations described in Section 6; and

(iii) The Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum equal to X, which amount shall be paid during the 30-day period commencing six months subsequent to Executive’s Separation From Service. For the purpose of the preceding sentence, X equals the value of the benefits that would have been provided to Executive and/or the Executive’s family during the 12 month period immediately following the Date of Termination, 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 affiliated companies as in effect and applicable generally to other peer executives and their families or, if more favorable, applicable to the Executive and his family during the ninety (90)-day period immediately

 

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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 For the purpose of computing X with respect to benefits where the Company pays insurance premiums, the cost of benefits shall equal the insurance premiums that would have been paid over such twelve (12) month period that provides benefits to the Executive, based on the insurance premiums in effect on the Date of Termination. 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 during the twelve (12) month period immediately following the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of such period (and, to the extent Executive is eligible to receive retiree benefits that duplicate the benefits that would otherwise be taken into account in computing X, X shall be reduced); and

(iv) The Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum equal to Y, which amount shall be paid during the 30-day period commencing six months subsequent to Executive’s Separation From Service. For the purpose of the preceding sentence, Y equals the value of the benefits that would have been provided to Executive during the twelve (12) month period immediately following the Date of Termination ( if the Company had continued to provide the Executive and his family with the benefits and perquisites at least equal to those which would have been provided to them if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated, in accordance with the terms generally applicable with respect to the provision of such benefits and perquisites during the ninety (90) day period immediately preceding the Effective Date, or, if more favorable to the Executive, in effect generally from time to time thereafter during such twelve(12) month period with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families. These Benefits shall include (but shall not be limited to) the following: employer contributions to the AMCORE Financial Security Plan, employer contributions to the AMCORE Deferred Compensation Plan, AMCORE Cash Profit Plan or any other defined contribution retirement plan, club membership fees, financial planning allowance and car allowance. In computing Y, the Company shall determine the amount of a benefit annually provided by the Company by (A) assuming that the Executive’s base pay would have remained in effect at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination and the Executive would have received annual bonuses equal to the Recent Average Bonus, and (B) assuming, in the case of club membership fees, financial planning allowance, car allowance, and similar benefits, that the Executive would receive such benefits during the twelve months following the Date of Termination at the same rate that he received such benefits during the 12 months ending on the last day of the calendar quarter preceding the Date of Termination.

(v) all amounts payable to the Executive pursuant to this Section 5 are subject to the limitations described in Section 6 of this Agreement.

 

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(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 payments shall, notwithstanding the language of 5(a)(i)(A) above, 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 shall not include the interest factor described in 5(a)(i)(A) above) and (ii) the payment of the benefits described in section 5(a)(iii) and (iv) (which payments shall, notwithstanding the language of 5(a)(iii) and (iv) above, be paid to the Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination).

(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 and (ii) the timely payment of the benefits described in section 5(a)(iii) and (iv), but for this purpose only computing the amount of such benefits that would have been payable during the 12 month period immediately following the Date of Termination. Notwithstanding the language of section 5(a)(i)(A), (iii), and (iv), to the extent permitted under Section 409A, the payment of the obligations described in this subsection (c) shall be paid within 30 days of the Date of Termination (and the interest factor described in section 5(a)(i)(A) shall not apply) if the Disability constitutes a disability within the meaning of section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If, during the Effective Period, the Executive’s employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or the Executive terminates employment not for Good Reason:

(i) The Company may elect to have the Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A become effective and remain in effect in accordance with the terms of that Agreement, by giving notice of such election to the Executive, not later than five (5) business days after the effectiveness of the Executive’s termination of employment.

(ii) If the Executive’s employment was terminated by the Company for Cause, the Company shall 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 (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon and as adjusted to reflect any other appreciation or depreciation in value) and any accrued vacation pay; in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid; provided that the payment of previously deferred compensation, as adjusted, shall only be paid as an immediate lump sum if (x) a lump sum payment had been previously elected by the Executive or (y) the Separation From Service is within two years following the Change in Control and the Change in Control would also qualify as a Change in Control under section 409A and the regulations thereunder.

 

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(iii) If the Executive terminates his employment other than for Good Reason, the Company shall pay to the Executive the Accrued Obligations. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum at the times set forth in section 5(a)(i)(A) above.

(iv) Upon payment by the Company of the applicable amounts under this Section 5(d), the Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive.

6. Limitation of Payments and Certain Stock Option Rights. The parties agree that:

(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, it is the intent of the parties hereto that no amount payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall cause any payment or transfer by the Company or for the benefit of Executive, whether paid or payable (or transferred or transferable) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, to be subject to taxation under Section 4999 of the Code and as an “excess parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G of the Code. In the event that the last independent auditors selected by the Board prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment (the “Auditors”) determine that any such item would result in a deduction disallowance and/or the imposition of an excise tax under Code Sections 280G and 4999, then the item shall be reduced by the amount necessary to avoid such deduction disallowance and/or imposition of excise tax.

(b) The Auditors shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of a written request from the Company or the Executive for a determination as to whether reductions of a payment is necessary in order to avoid the excise tax and/or deduction disallowance imposed by Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. All fees and expenses of the Auditors shall be borne solely by the Company. If the Auditors determine that a payment under this Agreement (without reduction pursuant to paragraph (a), above) will not be subject to the deduction disallowance and/or excise tax imposed by Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code, the Auditors shall furnish the Executive with a written opinion that failure to report, on the Executive’s applicable federal income tax return, any excise tax in connection with such payment would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any good faith determinations by the Auditors shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.

(c) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, it is the intent of the parties hereto that nothing in this Agreement, including without

 

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limitation any rights described in paragraph 5(a)(ii), shall cause any of the Executive’s outstanding stock options, restricted stock, and/or other awards relating to stock under equity incentive plans or programs of the Company and its affiliates to be treated as a newly issued discount stock option subject to Code Section 409A and its implementing regulations, to violate the requirements of Code Section 409A, and/or to result in the imposition of any penalty pursuant to Section 409A. Consequently, the parties agree that any rights to immediate vesting and exercise described in paragraph 5(a)(ii) of this Agreement shall be limited, if necessary (but only to the extent necessary), to avoid any such result.

(d) The Auditors shall provide a detailed opinion to the Company and the Executive within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of a written request from the Company or the Executive for a determination as to whether any limitation in the rights described in paragraph 5(a)(ii) (or any other provision of this Agreement) is necessary in order to avoid any violation of Code Section 409A and/or the imposition of a penalty pursuant to Code Section 409A. Any good faith determinations by the Auditors shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.

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.

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 (except as specifically provided with respect to the Non-Compete Payment). 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 upon receipt of proper invoices,

 

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to the fullest extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest 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; provided, however, that in the event that it is finally judicially determined that the Executive was terminated for Cause, then the Executive shall be obligated to repay to the Company the full amount of all such legal fees and expenses paid for the Executive by the Company in connection with that contest, plus interest at the rate described above.

(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 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.

 

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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.

(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.

 

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(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:

If to the Executive:

[Participant name and address]

If to the Company:

AMCORE Financial, Inc.

501 Seventh Street

P.O. Box 1537

Rockford, Illinois 61110-0037

Attention: Mr. James S. Waddell

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 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.

 

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(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.

(h) The provisions of this Agreement are intended to comply with section 409A as it applies to an individual who is a “specified employee” as defined in section 409A. To the extent any provision is inconsistent with section 409A, it shall be deemed modified so that the modified provision is consistent with section 409A.

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/ James S. Waddell
  James S. Waddell
Its   Executive Vice President & Chief
Administrative Officer
By:    
  [Participant] (“Executive”)

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED

EXHIBIT A

CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT, dated as of January 2, 2008, by and between AMCORE Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) and [Participant] (“Executive”).

Section 1. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation.

(a) During the period beginning on the “Effective Date,” as that term is defined in the Transitional Compensation Agreement of even date herewith, and continuing while Executive is serving as an executive officer of the Company and for one year following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, any successor thereto, and its or their subsidiaries (the “Noncompetition Period”), if such termination of employment occurs within one year after the Effective Date and Executive becomes entitled to receive the “Non-Compete Payment” as defined in Section 5 of the Transitional Compensation Agreement, Executive will not, within fifty (50) miles of the Company’s headquarters in Rockford, Illinois as of the Effective Date, engage in “Competition” with the Company. For purposes of this Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement, Competition by Executive shall mean Executive’s:

(i) engaging in, including without limitation consulting or start-up activities for Executive’s own account or any third party, the business of commercial banking (including trust and asset management and mortgage banking); or

(ii) becoming interested in, or otherwise directly or indirectly being employed by or acting as a consultant or lender to, or render any services to, or being a director, officer, employee, principal, agent, stockholder, manager, member, owner or partner of, employer of, or permitting his name to be used in connection with the activities of any other business or organization (a “Competing Business”) which engages in, or is preparing to engage in, the business of commercial banking (including trust and asset management and mortgage banking); provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a violation of this Section 2(a) for Executive to become the registered or beneficial owner of up to two(2%) percent of any class of the capital stock of a Competing Business registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, provided that Executive does not otherwise participate in the business of such corporation.


(b) during the Noncompetition Period, Executive will not in any manner, directly or indirectly:

(i) solicit (or cause, or authorize, to be solicited), divert or otherwise attempt to obtain the business of any person who is, or has at any time within three years prior to the date of such action been, a customer, supplier, licensee or business relation of the Company for any purpose which is competitive with the Company’s business;

(ii) intentionally disturb or attempt to disturb in any adverse respect any business relationship between any person and the Company;

(iii) solicit from any customer of the Company, or from any known potential customer of the Company, business which has been the subject of a known written or oral bid, offer or proposal by the Company, or of substantial preparation with a view to making such a bid, proposal or offer, in any case, during the two-year period immediately preceding the termination for any reason whatsoever of his service with the Company;

(iv) seek or attempt to persuade, induce or encourage any director, officer, employee, consultant, advisor or other agent of the Company to discontinue his or her status or employment therewith or to become employed or otherwise engaged in a Competing Business; and

(v) solicit or employ, or otherwise hire or engage as an employee, independent contractor, consultant, advisor or otherwise, any person at any time within 12 months following the date of cessation of employment of such person or the termination of such person’s other status, as the case may be, with the Company.

Section 2. Confidentiality; Intellectual Property; Disclosure.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement, at all times hereafter, Executive shall keep secret and retain in strictest confidence, any and all Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) relating to the Company, and shall use such Confidential Information only

 

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in furtherance of the performance by him of his duties as an executive officer of the Company and not for personal benefit or the benefit of any interest adverse to the interests of the Company. For purposes of this Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean any confidential or proprietary information including, without limitation, plans, specifications, models, samples, data, customer lists and customer information, computer programs and documentation, and other technical and/or business information, in whatever form, tangible or intangible, printed, electronic or magnetic, that can be communicated by whatever means available at such time, that relates to the Company’s current business or future business contemplated during the period Executive serves as an executive officer of the Company, products, services and/or developments, or information received from others that the Company is obligated to treat as confidential or proprietary, and Executive shall not disclose such Confidential Information to any person other than the Company, except as may be required by law or court or administrative order (in which event Executive shall so notify the Company as promptly as practicable). Upon the termination of Executive’s position as an executive officer of the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly return to the Company or destroy all copies, reproductions and summaries of Confidential Information in his possession or control and erase the same from all media in his possession or control, and, if the Company so requests, shall certify in writing that he has done so. All Confidential Information is and shall remain the property of the Company, or in the case of information that the Company receives from a third party which it is obligated to treat as confidential, then the property of such third party.

(b) All Intellectual Property (as hereinafter defined) created, developed, co-developed, obtained or conceived of by Executive during the period Executive is serves as an executive officer of the Company, and all business opportunities presented to Executive during the period Executive serves as an executive officer of the Company, shall be owned by and belong exclusively to the Company, provided that they reasonably relate to any of the business of the Company on the date of such creation, development, obtaining or conception, and Executive shall (i) promptly disclose any such Intellectual Property or business opportunity to the Company, and (ii) promptly execute and deliver to the Company, without additional compensation, such instruments as the Company may require from time to time to evidence its ownership of any such Intellectual Property or business opportunity (the “Intellectual Property Documents”). If the Company is unable because of Executive’s mental or physical incapacity or for any other reason to secure Executive’s signature for any Intellectual Property Document, then Executive hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as his agent and attorney in fact, to act for and in his behalf and stead to execute and file any Intellectual Property Document and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to evidence or perfect the Company’s ownership and

 

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rights of and to any Intellectual Property or business opportunity with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Executive. For purposes of this Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement, the term “Intellectual Property” means any and all of the following and all statutory and/or common law rights throughout the world in, arising out of, or associated therewith: (i) all patents and applications therefor, including docketed patent disclosures awaiting filing, reissues, divisions, renewals, extensions, provisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof; (ii) all inventions (whether patentable or not), inventions disclosures and improvements, all trade secrets, confidential business information (including ideas, research and development, know-how, compositions, designs, specifications, pricing and cost information and business and market plans and proposals), proprietary information, manufacturing, engineering and technical drawings and specifications, processes, designs and technology; (iii) all works of authorship, “moral rights,” copyrights (including derivative works thereof), mask works, copyright and mask work registrations and applications therefor; (iv) all trade names, trade dress, logos, product names, collective marks, collective membership marks, trademarks certification marks and service marks, trademark and service mark registrations and applications together with the goodwill of the business symbolized by the names and the marks; (v) all data and related documents, object code, databases, passwords, encryption technology, firmware, development tools, files, records and data, and all media on which any of the foregoing is recorded; (vi) any similar, corresponding or equivalent rights to any of the foregoing; (vii) all documentation related to any of the foregoing; and (viii) all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing.

Section 3. Non-Disparagement.

Executive shall not, at any time from and after the Effective Date, make statements or representations, or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, or otherwise, or take any action which may, directly or indirectly, disparage or be damaging to the Company, its successors, subsidiaries or affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors, businesses or reputations, and the Company, its successors, subsidiaries and affiliates and their respective officers, employees, and agents shall not make any such statements or representations regarding Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive or any other person from making truthful statements that are required by applicable law, regulation or legal process.

Section 4. Cooperation With Regard to Litigation.

Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company, at any time from and after the Effective Date (including following Executive’s termination of employment), by making himself available to testify on behalf of the Company or

 

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any successor, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, and to assist the Company, or any successor, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, in any such action, suit, or proceeding, by providing information and meeting and consulting with the Board or its representatives or counsel, or representatives or counsel to the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, as may be reasonably requested and after taking into account Executive’s responsibilities and obligations to third parties. The Company agrees to reimburse Executive, on an after-tax basis, for all expenses actually incurred in connection with his provision of testimony or assistance hereunder.

Section 5. Covenants Reasonable.

Executive hereby acknowledges that the business of the Company is highly competitive. Executive further acknowledges that this Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement is being entered into in connection with the Transitional Compensation Agreement, that his service to the Company will be of a special and unique character, and that he will continue to be identified personally with the Company. Executive also acknowledges that service as an executive officer of the Company will require that he have access to some of the Company’s most highly confidential business information, trade secrets and proprietary information. The parties therefore acknowledge that the restrictions contained in Sections 1 and 2 hereof are a reasonable and necessary protection of the immediate interests of the Company, and any violation of these restrictions would cause substantial injury to the Company and that the Company would not have entered into the Transitional Compensation Agreement and this Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement without receiving the additional consideration offered by Executive in binding himself to any of these restrictions.

Section 6. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Injunctive Relief.

This Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Executive of any of these restrictions, the Company shall be entitled to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for an injunction restraining Executive from such breach or threatened breach; provided, however, that the right to apply for an injunction shall not be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other available remedies for such breach or threatened breach.

 

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Section 7. Notices.

Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice, exercise of rights or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by overnight delivery service such as Federal Express, telecopy (or like transmission) or personal delivery against receipt, or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), to the party to whom it is given at such party’s address set forth below such party’s name on the signature page or such other address as such party may hereafter specify by notice to the other party hereto. Any notice or other communication shall be deemed to have been given as of the date so personally delivered or transmitted by telecopy or like transmission or on the next business day when sent by overnight delivery service.

Section 8. Amendment.

This Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded or canceled, and the terms and covenants hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument executed by both of the parties hereto, or in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. The failure of either party at any time or times to require performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect the right at a later time to enforce the same.

Section 9. Binding Effect.

This Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement is not assignable by Executive. This Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor organizations which shall succeed to the Company by merger or consolidation or operation of law or otherwise, or by acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

Section 10. Severability.

Executive acknowledges and agrees that the restrictive covenants and agreements contained herein (the “Restrictive Covenants”) are reasonable and valid in geographic and temporal scope and in all other respects, and do not impose limitations greater than that are necessary to protect the goodwill, the confidential information and any other business interests of the Company, or any of its successors or assigns. If, however, any court subsequently determines that any of such covenants or agreements, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of such covenants and agreements shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid portions thereof. In addition, if any

 

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court construes any of the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, to be unenforceable because of the duration of such provision or the area covered thereby, such court shall have the power to reduce the duration or area of such provision and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced.

Section 11. Execution in Counterparts.

This Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Section 12. Entire Agreement.

This Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement (together with applicable provisions of the Transitional Compensation Agreement) sets forth the entire agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and any other agreement between the parties and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof as applicable to any period after the Effective Date (except for other agreements relating to confidentiality, proprietary information and intellectual property as may be entered into by Executive and the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate).

Section 13. Titles and Headings.

Titles and headings to Sections herein are for purposes of reference only, and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement.

Section 14. Conflicts of Interest; Representations and Warranties.

Executive specifically covenants, warrants and represents to the Company that he has the full, complete and entire right and authority to enter into this Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement, that he has no agreement, duty, commitment or responsibility or obligation of any kind or nature whatsoever with any corporation, partnership, firm, company, joint venture or other person which would conflict in any manner whatsoever with any of his duties, obligations or responsibilities to the Company pursuant to this Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement or which could interfere with Executive’s performance under this Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement, that he is not in possession of any document or other tangible property of any other person of a confidential or proprietary nature which would conflict in any manner whatsoever with any of his duties, obligations or responsibilities to the Company pursuant to this

 

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Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement and Executive’s performance of his obligations to the Company will not breach any agreement by which Executive is bound not to disclose any proprietary information, and that he is fully ready, willing and able to perform each and all of his duties, obligations and responsibilities pursuant to this Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement.

 

   
Name:   [Participant]
Address:   [Participant address]

 

AMCORE FINANCIAL, INC.
By:   /s/ James S. Waddell
Name:   James S. Waddell
Title:   EVP & CAO
Address:   AMCORE Financial, Inc.
 

501 Seventh Street

Rockford, Illinois 61104

 

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