2019 Equity Incentive Plan, and forms of Restricted Stock Award Agreement and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, to be in effect upon the pricing of this offering
Exhibit 10.10
ASSETMARK FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Section 1. Purpose and Eligibility.
(a) General Purpose. The purpose of this AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the Plan) is to motivate and reward employees and other individuals to perform at the highest level and contribute significantly to the success of AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. (the Company), thereby furthering the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
(b) Eligible Award Recipients. The persons eligible to receive Awards are the Employees, Consultants and Directors of the Company and its Affiliates, and such other individuals designated by the Administrator who are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Directors after the receipt of Awards.
(c) Available Awards. The Plan permits the grant of Options, SARs, Restricted Stocks, RSUs, Performance Awards, Other Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards.
Section 2. Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) Affiliate means, with respect to a Person, any entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person (or, if no Person is specified, the Company).
(b) Award means any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, RSU, Performance Award, Other Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.
(c) Award Agreement means any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document (including in electronic form) evidencing an Award granted under the Plan.
(d) Beneficial Owner has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular Person, such Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms Beneficial Ownership, Beneficially Owns and Beneficially Owned have a corresponding meaning.
(e) Beneficiary means a Person entitled to receive payments or other benefits or exercise rights that are available under the Plan in the event of a Participants death. If no such Person can be named or is named by a Participant, or if no Beneficiary designated by a Participant is eligible to receive payments or other benefits or exercise rights that are available under the Plan at a Participants death, such Participants Beneficiary shall be such Participants estate.
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(f) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(g) Cause means, with respect to a Participant, cause as defined in such Participants Service Agreement, if any, or if not so defined, except as otherwise provided in such Participants Award Agreement, such Participants: (i) serious misconduct in the performance of his or her employment duties, (ii) conviction of, plea of guilty to, or plea of nolo contendere to (x) a felony or (y) a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, fraud or dishonesty, (iii) commission of an act involving personal dishonesty that results in financial, reputational or other harm to the Company or its Affiliates; (iv) breach of any applicable term set forth in such Participants Service Agreement, if any, or (v) breach or violation of any rule, policy, procedure or guideline of the Company or its Affiliates.
(h) Change in Control means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:
(i) the acquisition by any Person of Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates other than in connection with the acquisition by the Company or its Affiliates of a business) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors (the Outstanding Company Voting Securities); provided, however that for purposes of this Plan any acquisition which complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (v) of this definition shall not constitute a Change of Control;
(ii) a majority of the members of the Board are replaced during any twelve-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the Board before the date of appointment or election;
(iii) the date which is ten (10) business days prior to the consummation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(iv) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation) by the Company of all or substantially all of the Companys assets in which any Person acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; or
(v) the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company that requires the approval of the Companys shareholders, whether for such transaction or the issuance of securities in the transaction (a Business Combination), unless immediately following such Business Combination: (A) more than 50% of the
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total voting power of (I) the entity resulting from such Business Combination (the Surviving Company), or (II) if applicable, the ultimate parent entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of sufficient voting securities eligible to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Surviving Company (the Parent Company), is represented by the Outstanding Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which the Outstanding Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination; (B) no Person (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors of the Parent Company (or the analogous governing body) (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company); and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) following the consummation of the Business Combination were Board members at the time of the Boards approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination; or
In no event, however shall a Change in Control be deemed to occur as a result of any acquisition (w) by the Company, Huatai International Investment Holding Limited, or any of their respective Affiliates, (x) by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any subsidiary, (y) by any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (z) in respect of an Award held by a particular Participant, by the Participant or any group of persons including the Participant (or any entity controlled by the Participant or any group of persons including the Participant);
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of any Award Agreement to the contrary, for any Award that provides for accelerated distribution on a Change in Control of amounts that constitute deferred compensation (as defined in Section 409A of the Code), if the event that constitutes such Change in Control does not also constitute a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Companys assets (in either case, as defined in Section 409A of the Code), such amount shall not be distributed on such Change in Control but instead shall vest as of such Change in Control and shall be distributed on the scheduled payment date specified in the applicable Award Agreement, except to the extent that earlier distribution would not result in the Participant who holds such Award incurring interest or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code.
(i) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules, regulations and guidance thereunder. Any reference to a provision in the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder and any successor provision thereto.
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(j) Committee means the compensation committee of the Board or such other committee of one or more members of the Board as may be designated by the Board from time to time to administer the Plan in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(k) Common Stock means the Companys common stock, $0.001 par value per share.
(l) Company means AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.
(m) Consultant means any individual, including an advisor, who is providing services to the Company or any Subsidiary other than as an Employee or Director, and who may be offered securities registerable pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.
(n) Director means any member of the Board.
(o) Disability means, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment; provided, however, that for purposes of determining the term of an Incentive Stock Option, the term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to it under Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. The determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Administrator. Except in situations where the Administrator is determining Disability for purposes of the term of an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, the Administrator may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which a Participant participates
(p) Effective Date means the date on which the registration statement covering the initial public offering of the Shares is declared effective pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(q) Employee means any individual, including any officer or Director, employed by the Company or any Subsidiary or any prospective employee or officer who has accepted an offer of employment from the Company or any Subsidiary, with the status of employment determined based upon such factors as are deemed appropriate by the Committee in its discretion, subject to any requirements of the Code or applicable laws. Mere service as a Director or payment of a directors fee by the Company or an Affiliate will not be sufficient to constitute employment by the Company or an Affiliate.
(r) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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(s) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, (i) with respect to Shares, the closing price of a Share on the trading day immediately preceding the date of determination (or, if there is no reported sale on such date, on the last preceding date on which any reported sale occurred), on the principal stock market or exchange on which the Shares are quoted or traded, or if Shares are not so quoted or traded, the fair market value of a Share as determined by the Committee, and (ii) with respect to any property other than Shares, the fair market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee.
(t) Grant Date means the date on which the Administrator adopts a resolution, or takes other appropriate action, expressly granting an Award to a Participant that specifies the key terms and conditions of the Award or, if a later effective date is set forth in such resolution, then such effective date as is set forth in such resolution.
(u) Incentive Stock Option means an option representing the right to purchase Shares from the Company, granted pursuant to Section 6, that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
(v) Intrinsic Value with respect to an Option or SAR Award means (i) the excess, if any, of the price or implied price per Share in a Change in Control or other event over (ii) the exercise or hurdle price of such Award multiplied by (iii) the number of Shares covered by such Award.
(w) Non-Qualified Stock Option means an option representing the right to purchase Shares from the Company, granted pursuant to Section 6, that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
(x) Option means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(y) Optionholder means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.
(z) Other Cash-Based Award means an Award granted pursuant to Section 11, including cash awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of specified performance criteria or otherwise as permitted under the Plan.
(aa) Other Stock-Based Award means an Award granted pursuant to Section 11 that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Shares or factors that may influence the value of Shares, including convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Shares, purchase rights for Shares, dividend rights or dividend equivalent rights or Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or business units thereof or any other factors designated by the Committee.
(bb) Participant means an eligible person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.
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(cc) Performance Award means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10.
(dd) Performance Period means the period established by the Committee with respect to any Performance Award during which the performance goals specified by the Committee with respect to such Award are to be measured.
(ee) Permitted Transferee means (i) a member of the Optionholders immediate family (child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships), (ii) any person sharing the Optionholders household (other than a tenant or employee), (iii) a trust in which these persons have more than 50% of the Beneficial Ownership interest, (iv) a foundation in which these persons (or the Optionholder) control the management of assets, (v) any other entity in which these persons (or the Optionholder) own more than 50% of the voting interests; and (vi) such other transferees as may be permitted by the Administrator in its sole discretion..
(ff) Person has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a group as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.
(gg) Plan means this AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
(hh) Restricted Stock means any Share subject to certain restrictions and forfeiture conditions, granted pursuant to Section 8.
(ii) Restricted Stock Unit or RSU means a right granted pursuant to Section 9. Each RSU represents an unfunded and unsecured right to receive cash, Shares or a combination thereof, in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share.
(jj) Service Agreement means any employment, severance, consulting or similar agreement between the Company or any of its Affiliates and a Participant.
(kk) Share means a share of the Companys Common Stock.
(ll) Stock Appreciation Right or SAR means a right granted pursuant to Section 7. Each SAR represents an unfunded and unsecured right to receive upon exercise, cash, Shares or a combination thereof, in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise or settlement over (ii) the exercise or hurdle price of the right on the Date of Grant.
(mm) Subsidiary means an entity of which the Company directly or indirectly holds all or a majority of the value of the outstanding equity interests of such entity or a majority of the voting power with respect to the voting securities of such entity. Whether employment by or service with a Subsidiary is included within the scope of the Plan shall be determined by the Committee.
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(nn) Substitute Award means an Award granted in assumption of, or in substitution for, an outstanding award previously granted by a company or other business acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines.
(oo) Termination of Service means the cessation of a Participants performance of services as an Employee, Director or Consultant for the Company or any Subsidiary ; provided, however, that in the case of a Participant who is an Employee, the transfer of employment from the Company to a Subsidiary, from a Subsidiary to the Company, from one Subsidiary to another Subsidiary or, unless the Committee determines otherwise, the cessation of employee status but the continuation of the performance of services for the Company or a Subsidiary as a Director or Consultant shall not be deemed a cessation of service that would constitute a Termination of Service; provided, further, that a Termination of Service shall be deemed to occur for a Participant employed by, or performing services for, a Subsidiary when such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary unless such Participants employment or service continues with the Company or another Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award subject to Section 409A of the Code (and not exempt therefrom), a Termination of Service occurs when a Participant experiences a separation of service (as such term is defined under Section 409A of the Code).
Section 3. Eligibility.
(a) Any Employee, Director or Consultant shall be eligible to be selected to receive an Award under the Plan, to the extent that an offer or receipt of an Award is permitted by applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations.
(b) Holders of options and other types of awards granted by a company or other business that is acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines are eligible for grants of Substitute Awards under the Plan to the extent permitted under applicable regulations of any stock exchange on which the Company is listed.
Section 4. Administration.
(a) Administration of the Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. All decisions of the Committee with respect to the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties, including the Company, its shareholders, Participants and any Beneficiaries thereof, unless determined by a court having jurisdiction to be arbitrary and capricious.
(b) Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by applicable law, including under Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company some or all of its authority under the Plan, including the authority to grant Options and SARs or other Awards in the form of Share rights (except that such delegation shall not apply to any Award for a Person then covered by Section 16 of the Exchange Act), and the Committee may delegate to one or more committees of the Board (which may consist of solely one Director) some or all of its authority under the Plan, including the authority to grant all types of Awards, in accordance with applicable law.
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(c) Authority of Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee (or its delegate) shall have full discretion and authority to:
(i) determine when Awards are to be granted under the Plan and the applicable Date of Grant;
(ii) select the eligible Award recipients to whom Awards shall be granted;
(iii) determine the type or types of Awards (including Substitute Awards) to be granted to each Participant under the Plan;
(iv) determine the number of Shares to be covered by (or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated in connection with) Awards;
(v) prescribe the form of each Award Agreement and determine the terms and conditions of any Award, which need not be identical for each Participant, including but not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, any Performance Goals over any Performance Periods, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Committee will determine;
(vi) determine whether, to what extent, under what circumstances and by which methods Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Shares, other Awards, other property, net settlement, or any combination thereof, or canceled, forfeited or suspended;
(vii) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other Awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee;
(viii) waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award theretofore granted, subject to the provisions of Section 14(c) below;
(ix) determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of their employment for purposes of the Plan, which periods shall be no shorter than the periods generally applicable to Employees under the Companys employment policies;
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(x) make decisions with respect to outstanding Awards that may become necessary upon a change in corporate control or an event that triggers anti-dilution adjustments;
(xi) allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations in a manner prescribed in Section 15(d);
(xii) authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Committee;
(xiii) interpret, administer, correct any defect, supply any omission and reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, any instrument or agreement relating to the Plan or any Award;
(xiv) establish, amend, suspend, rescind or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents, trustees, brokers, depositories and advisors and determine such terms of their engagement as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan and due compliance with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations; and
(xv) exercise discretion to make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan and due compliance with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards or administer the Plan. In any such case, the Board shall have all of the authority and responsibility granted to the Committee herein.
(d) In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or members of the Committee or otherwise, and to the extent allowed by Applicable Laws, each person who is, either individually or as a member of the Board or a Committee, or who administers the Plan pursuant to a delegation pursuant to Section 4(b) above, shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, actually incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with any appeal therein, to which the Committee or such person may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, and against all amounts paid by such person in settlement thereof (provided, however, that the settlement has been approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) or paid by such person in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, or in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no
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reason to believe that the conduct complained of was unlawful; provided, however, that within 60 days after the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall, in writing, offer the Company the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend such action, suit or proceeding.
Section 5. Shares Available for Awards.
(a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5(c) and except for Substitute Awards, the maximum number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan as of the Effective Date shall equal 4,887,691 Shares (the Share Reserve).
(b) If any Award is forfeited, cancelled, expires, terminates or otherwise lapses or is settled in cash, in whole or in part, without the delivery of Shares, then the Shares covered by such forfeited, expired, terminated or lapsed Award shall again be available for grant under the Plan; provided, however, that any Shares withheld in respect of taxes relating to any Award, and any Shares tendered or withheld to pay the exercise price of an Option, will not again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(c) In the event that the Committee determines that, as a result of any dividend or other distribution (other than an ordinary dividend or distribution), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, separation, rights offering, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of Shares pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affecting the Shares, an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent disproportional dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code and other applicable law, adjust equitably so as to ensure no undue enrichment or harm (including by payment of cash), any or all of:
(i) the number and type of Shares (or other securities) which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards, including the aggregate limits specified in Section 5(a) and Section 5(f);
(ii) the number and type of Shares (or other securities) subject to outstanding Awards; and
(iii) the grant, purchase, exercise or hurdle price with respect to any Award or, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award.
(d) Shares available for distribution under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares reacquired by the Company in any manner.
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(e) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5(c)(i), the maximum number of Shares available for issuance with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall equal the Share Reserve.
Section 6. Options. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions, in either case not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine in its discretion:
(a) The exercise price per Share under an Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant; provided, however, that, except in the case of Substitute Awards, such exercise price shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Option.
(b) The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee but shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant of such Option. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option becomes vested and exercisable in whole or in part.
(c) The Committee shall determine the method or methods by which, and the form or forms, including cash, Shares, other Awards, other property, net settlement, broker-assisted cashless exercise or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the exercise price of the Shares as to which the Option shall be exercised, in which payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made.
(d) The terms of any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or of a parent or subsidiary corporation (as defined in Section 424 of the Code).
Section 7. Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions, in either case not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine:
(a) SARs may be granted under the Plan to Participants either alone (freestanding) or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan (tandem) and may, but need not, relate to a specific Option granted under Section 6.
(b) The exercise or hurdle price per Share under a SAR shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that, except in the case of Substitute Awards, such exercise or hurdle price shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such SAR.
(c) The term of each SAR shall be fixed by the Committee but shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant of such SAR. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which a SAR may be exercised or settled in whole or in part.
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(d) Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the number of Shares subject to the SAR multiplied by the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the exercise date over the exercise or hurdle price of such SAR. The Company shall pay such excess in cash, in Shares valued at Fair Market Value, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee.
Section 8. Restricted Stock. The Committee is authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions, in either case not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine:
(a) The Award Agreement shall specify the vesting schedule.
(b) Awards of Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.
(c) Subject to the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder with respect to Awards of Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Shares of Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends; provided that, (i) the Committee may reserve the right to exercise the voting rights with respect to the Restricted Stock; and (ii) any cash dividends and stock dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be withheld by the Company for the Participants account, and interest may be credited on the amount of the cash dividends withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. The cash dividends or stock dividends so withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed to the Participant, if applicable, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.
(d) The Committee may, in its discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement that any or all dividends or other distributions paid on Awards of Restricted Stock prior to vesting be paid either in cash or in additional Shares and either on a current or deferred basis and that such dividends or other distributions may be reinvested in additional Shares, which may be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying Awards.
(e) Any Award of Restricted Stock may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration.
(f) The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that an Award of Restricted Stock is conditioned upon the Participant making or refraining from making an election with respect to the Award under Section 83(b) of the Code. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock, such Participant shall be required to file promptly a copy of such election with the Company and the applicable Internal Revenue Service office.
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Section 9. RSUs. The Committee is authorized to grant Awards of RSUs to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions, in either case not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine:
(a) The Award Agreement shall specify the vesting schedule and the delivery schedule (which may include deferred delivery later than the vesting date).
(b) Awards of RSUs shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.
(c) An RSU shall not convey to a Participant the rights and privileges of a stockholder with respect to the Shares subject to such RSU, such as the right to vote or the right to receive dividends, unless and until such Shares are issued to such Participant to settle such RSU.
(d) Shares delivered upon the vesting and settlement of an RSU Award may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration.
(e) The Committee may determine the form or forms (including cash, Shares, other Awards, other property or any combination thereof) in which payment of the amount owing upon settlement of any RSU Award may be made.
Section 10. Performance Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant Performance Awards to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions, in either case not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine in its discretion:
(a) Performance Awards may be denominated as a cash amount, number of Shares or units or a combination thereof and are Awards that may be earned upon achievement or satisfaction of performance conditions specified by the Committee. In addition, the Committee may specify that any other Award shall constitute a Performance Award by conditioning the grant to a Participant or the right of a Participant to exercise the Award or have the Award vested or settled, and the timing thereof, upon achievement or satisfaction of such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the performance goals to be achieved during any Performance Period, the length of any Performance Period, the amount of any Performance Award granted and the amount of any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee.
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(b) Each Performance Award shall include a pre-established formula, such that payment, retention or vesting of the Award is subject to the achievement during a Performance Period or Performance Periods, as determined by the Committee, of a level or levels of, or increases in, in each case as determined by the Committee, one or more of the following performance measures with respect to the Company: net flows; platform assets; new producing advisers; production lift from existing advisers; net flows lift from existing advisers; gross or net revenue; revenue growth; operating income; income or loss (before or after allocation of corporate overhead and bonus); net earnings; earnings per share; net income or loss; return on equity; total shareholder return; return on assets or net assets; appreciation in and/or maintenance of share price; market share; gross profits; earnings or loss (including earnings or loss before taxes, before interest and taxes, or before earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, with or without adjustments); economic value-added models or equivalent metrics; comparisons with various stock market indices; reductions in costs; cash flow or cash flow per share (before or after dividends); return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital); cash flow return on investment; improvement in or attainment of expense levels or working capital levels (including cash and accounts receivable); operating margin; gross margin; cash margin; year-end cash; debt reduction; shareholder equity; operating efficiencies; market share; customer satisfaction; customer growth or household growth; employee satisfaction; research and development achievements; financial ratios, including those measuring liquidity, activity, profitability or leverage; cost of capital or assets under management; financing and other capital raising transactions (including sales of the Companys equity or debt securities; factoring transactions; sales or licenses of the Companys assets, including its intellectual property, whether in a particular jurisdiction or territory or globally; or through partnering transactions); implementation, completion or attainment of measurable objectives with respect to research, development, products or services, acquisitions or divestitures; factoring transactions; recruiting or maintaining personnel; or such other performance measures as may be determined by the Committee from time to time. Performance criteria may be measured on an absolute (e.g., plan or budget) or relative basis; before or after taxes; with or without adjustments and may be established on a corporate-wide basis or with respect to one or more business units, divisions, subsidiaries or business segments. Performance may be measured against a group of peer companies, a financial market index or other acceptable objective and quantifiable indices. The Award Agreement may provide that if the Committee determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Company, or the manner in which the Committee conducts its business, or other events or circumstances render the performance objectives unsuitable, the Committee may modify the performance objectives or the related minimum acceptable level of achievement, in whole or in part, as the Committee deems appropriate and equitable. Performance measures may vary from Performance Award to Performance Award, respectively, and from Participant to Participant, and may be established on a stand-alone basis, in tandem or in the alternative. The Committee shall have the power to impose such other restrictions on Awards subject to this Section as it may deem necessary or appropriate.
(c) If the Committee determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Company, or the manner in which the
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Company conducts its business, or other events or circumstances render the performance objectives for a Performance Award unsuitable, the Committee may modify the performance objectives or the related minimum acceptable level of achievement, in whole or in part, as the Committee deems appropriate and equitable such that it does not provide any undue enrichment or harm.
(d) Performance measures may vary from Performance Award to Performance Award and from Participant to Participant, and may be established on a stand-alone basis, in tandem or in the alternative. The Committee shall have the power to impose such other restrictions on Performance Awards as it may deem necessary or appropriate to ensure that such Awards satisfy all requirements of any applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations.
(e) Settlement of Performance Awards shall be in cash, Shares, other Awards, other property, net settlement, or any combination thereof, as determined in the discretion of the Committee.
(f) The Committee may, in its discretion, increase or reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with a Performance Award.
Section 11. Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant Other Cash-Based Awards (either independently or as an element of or supplement to any other Award under the Plan) and Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards. Shares delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 11 shall be purchased for such consideration, and paid for at such times, by such methods and in such forms, including cash, Shares, other Awards, other property, net settlement, broker-assisted cashless exercise or any combination thereof, as the Committee shall determine; provided that the purchase price therefor shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the date of grant of such right.
Section 12. Effect of Termination of Service or a Change in Control on Awards.
(a) The Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any applicable Award Agreement, or may determine in any individual case, the circumstances in which, and the extent to which, an Award may be exercised, settled, vested, paid or forfeited in the event of a Participants Termination of Service prior to the end of a Performance Period or vesting, exercise or settlement of such Award.
(b) Subject to the last sentence of Section 2(nn), the Committee may determine, in its discretion, whether, and the extent to which, (i) an Award will vest during a leave of absence, (ii) a reduction in service level (for example, from full-time to part-time employment) will cause a reduction, or other change, to an Award and (iii) a leave of absence or reduction in service will be deemed a Termination of Service.
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(c) In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, take any one or more of the following actions with respect to any outstanding Award, which need not be uniform with respect to all Participants and/or Awards:
(i) continuation or assumption of such Award by the Company (if it is the surviving corporation) or by the successor or surviving corporation or its parent;
(ii) substitution or replacement of such Award by the successor or surviving corporation or its parent with cash, securities, rights or other property to be paid or issued, as the case may be, by the successor or surviving corporation (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), with substantially the same terms and value as such Award (including any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto);
(iii) acceleration of the vesting of such Award and the lapse of any restrictions thereon and, in the case of an Option or SAR Award, acceleration of the right to exercise such Award during a specified period (and the termination of such Option or SAR Award without payment of any consideration therefor to the extent such Award is not timely exercised), in each case, either (A) immediately prior to or as of the date of the Change in Control or (B) upon a Participants involuntary Termination of Service (including upon a termination of a Participants employment by the Company (or a successor corporation or its parent) without cause, by a Participant for good reason and/or due to a Participants death or disability, as such terms may be defined in the applicable Award Agreement and/or a Participants Service Agreement) on or within a specified period following the Change in Control;
(iv) in the case of a Performance Award, determination of the level of attainment of the applicable performance condition(s); and
(v) cancellation of such Award in consideration of a payment, with the form, amount and timing of such payment determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, subject to the following: (A) such payment shall be made in cash, securities, rights and/or other property; (B) the amount of such payment shall equal the value of such Award, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided that, in the case of an Option or SAR Award, if such value equals the Intrinsic Value of such Award, such value shall be deemed to be valid; provided further that, if the Intrinsic Value of an Option or SAR Award is equal to or less than zero, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for the cancellation of such Award without payment of any consideration therefor; and (C) such payment shall be made promptly following such Change in Control or on a specified date or dates following such Change in Control; provided that the timing of such payment shall comply with Section 409A of the Code.
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Section 13. General Provisions Applicable to Awards.
(a) Awards shall be granted for such cash or other consideration, if any, as the Committee determines; provided that in no event shall Awards be issued for less than such minimal consideration as may be required by applicable law.
(b) Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with any other Award or any award granted under any other plan of the Company. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards, or in addition to or in tandem with awards granted under any other plan of the Company, may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.
(c) Subject to the terms of the Plan, payments or transfers to be made by the Company upon the grant, exercise or settlement of an Award may be made in the form of cash, Shares, other Awards, other property, net settlement, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee in its discretion at the time of grant, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments or on a deferred basis, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures may include provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of dividend equivalents in respect of installment or deferred payments.
(d) Except as may be permitted by the Committee or as specifically provided in an Award Agreement, (i) no Award and no right under any Award shall be assignable, alienable, saleable or transferable by a Participant other than by will or pursuant to Section 13(e) and (ii) during a Participants lifetime, each Award, and each right under any Award, shall be exercisable only by such Participant or, if permissible under applicable law, by such Participants guardian or legal representative. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not apply to any Award that has been fully exercised or settled, as the case may be, and shall not preclude forfeiture of an Award in accordance with the terms thereof.
(e) If permitted by the Committee, a Participant may designate a Beneficiary or change a previous Beneficiary designation only at such times as prescribed by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and only by using forms and following procedures approved or accepted by the Committee for that purpose.
(f) All certificates for Shares and/or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock market or exchange upon which such Shares or other securities are then quoted, traded or listed, and any applicable securities laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
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(g) The Committee may impose restrictions on any Award with respect to non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality and other restrictive covenants as it deems necessary or appropriate in its sole discretion.
Section 14. Amendments and Terminations.
(a) Amendment or Termination of the Plan. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the Plan, the Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided, however, that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without (i) shareholder approval if such approval is required by applicable law or the rules of the stock market or exchange, if any, on which the Shares are principally quoted or traded or (ii) subject to Section 5(c) and Section 12, the consent of the affected Participant, if such action would materially adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any outstanding Award, except (x) to the extent any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination is made to cause the Plan to comply with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations or (y) to impose any clawback or recoupment provisions on any Awards (including any amounts or benefits arising from such Awards) in accordance with Section 18. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the Committee may amend the Plan, or create sub-plans, in such manner as may be necessary to enable the Plan to achieve its stated purposes in any jurisdiction in a tax-efficient manner and in compliance with local rules and regulations.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, each Award shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such action, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.
(c) Terms of Awards. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, without the consent of any relevant Participant or holder or Beneficiary of an Award; provided, however, that, subject to Section 5(c) and Section 12, no such action shall materially adversely affect the rights of any affected Participant or holder or Beneficiary under any Award theretofore granted under the Plan, except (x) to the extent any such action is made to cause the Plan to comply with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations, or (y) to impose any clawback or recoupment provisions on any Awards (including any amounts or benefits arising from such Awards) in accordance with Section 18. The Committee shall be authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of events (including the events described in Section 5(c)) affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.
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(d) No Repricing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in Section 5(c), no action (including the repurchase of Options or SAR Awards (in each case, that are out of the money) for cash and/or other property) shall directly or indirectly, through cancellation and regrant or any other method, reduce, or have the effect of reducing, the exercise or hurdle price of any Award established at the time of grant thereof without approval of the Companys shareholders.
Section 15. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Employee, Consultant, Director, Participant, or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of employees, Participants or holders or Beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient. Any Award granted under the Plan shall be a one-time Award that does not constitute a promise of future grants. The Company, in its sole discretion, maintains the right to make available future grants under the Plan.
(b) The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of, or to continue to provide services to, the Company or any Subsidiary. Further, the Company or any applicable Subsidiary may at any time dismiss a Participant, free from any liability, or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement or in any other agreement binding on the parties. The receipt of any Award under the Plan is not intended to confer any rights on the receiving Participant except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(c) Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
(d) To the extent provided by the terms of an Award Agreement and subject to the discretion of the Committee, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under an Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Companys right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (a) tendering a cash payment; (b) authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award, provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law; or (c) delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock of the Company.
(e) If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to
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applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award Agreement, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any Award to the contrary, no Option or other award shall be granted hereunder if, at the time of grant, such Option or award would result in this Plan or any portion hereof being deemed a scheme involving the grant by a subsidiary of a listed issuer on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong for options over new shares or other new securities, or an arrangement analogous to such a scheme, that is required to comply with the requirements of Chapter 17 of the Main Board Listing Rules of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong or any successor thereto (as amended from time to time, Chapter 17 of the HKEX Listing Rules), other than pursuant to a sub-plan or other scheme that satisfies all the requirements of Chapter 17 of the HKEX Listing Rules.
(g) Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.
(h) No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash or other securities shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares, or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.
(i) Awards may be granted to Participants who are non-United States nationals or employed or providing services outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Participants who are employed or providing services in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable to recognize differences in local law, tax policy or custom. The Committee also may impose conditions on the exercise or vesting of Awards in order to minimize the Companys obligation with respect to tax equalization for Participants on assignments outside their home country.
Section 16. Effective Date of the Plan. The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date, provided that the Board and the Companys stockholders may approve the Plan prior to such date.
Section 17. Term of the Plan. No Award shall be granted under the Plan after the earliest to occur of (i) the 10-year anniversary of the Effective Date; (ii) the maximum number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan have been issued; or (iii) the Board terminates the Plan in accordance with Section 14(a). However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award theretofore granted may extend beyond such date, and the authority of the Committee to
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amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue or terminate any such Award, or to waive any conditions or rights under any such Award, and the authority of the Board to amend the Plan, shall extend beyond such date.
Section 18. Clawback of Awards. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, the Company may cancel any Award, require reimbursement of any Award by a Participant, and effect any other right of recoupment of equity or other compensation provided under the Plan in accordance with any Company policies that may be adopted and/or modified from time to time (Clawback Policy). In addition, a Participant may be required to repay to the Company previously paid compensation, whether provided pursuant to the Plan or an Award Agreement, in accordance with the Clawback Policy. By accepting an Award, the Participant is agreeing to be bound by the Clawback Policy, as in effect or as may be adopted and/or modified from time to time by the Company in its discretion (including, without limitation, to comply with applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements).
Section 19. Section 409A of the Code. With respect to Awards subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and the provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and the Plan shall be operated accordingly. If any provision of the Plan or any term or condition of any Award would otherwise frustrate or conflict with this intent, the provision, term or condition shall be interpreted and deemed amended so as to avoid this conflict. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if the Board considers a Participant to be a specified employee under Section 409A of the Code at the time of such Participants separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code), and any amount hereunder is deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, any distribution of such amount that otherwise would be made to such Participant with respect to an Award as a result of such separation from service shall not be made until the date that is six months after such separation from service, except to the extent that earlier distribution would not result in such Participants incurring interest or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code. If an Award includes a series of installment payments (within the meaning of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations), a Participants right to such series of installment payments shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments and not as a right to a single payment, and if an Award includes dividend equivalents (within the meaning of Section 1.409A-3(e) of the Treasury Regulations), a Participants right to such dividend equivalents shall be treated separately from the right to other amounts under the Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Plan or any Award Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed, and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by a Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
Section 20. Successors and Assigns. The terms of the Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor entity, including any successor entity contemplated by Section 12(c).
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Section 21. Data Protection. By participating in the Plan, a Participant consents to the holding and processing of personal information provided by such Participant to the Company or any Affiliate, trustee or third party service provider, for all purposes relating to the operation of the Plan. These include:
(a) administering and maintaining Participant records;
(b) providing information to the Company, any Subsidiary, trustees of any employee benefit trust, registrars, brokers or third party administrators of the Plan;
(c) providing information to future purchasers or merger partners of the Company or any Affiliate, or the business in which such Participant works; and
(d) transferring information about such Participant to any country or territory that may not provide the same protection for the information as such Participants home country.
Section 22. Governing Law. The Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without application of the conflicts of law principles thereof.
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ASSETMARK FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD
Except as otherwise indicated, any capitalized term used but not defined in this Notice of Restricted Stock Award (this Notice) shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (as it may be amended from time to time, the Plan).
Name: []
Address: []
The undersigned Participant has been granted an Award of Restricted Stock (the Award) under the Plan, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, this Notice and the attached Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
Shares of Restricted Stock: | [] | |
Date of Grant: | [] | |
Rights of Shareholder: | ||
Voting: | [Not Included] | |
Dividends: | [Included] | |
Vesting Commencement Date: | [] | |
Vesting Schedule: | Subject to Section 2 of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, the Award will vest in accordance with the following schedule: | |
[] |
By signing where indicated below, AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. (the Company) grants the Award to the Participant upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Notice and the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, and the applicable provisions of the Plan, and the Participant acknowledges receipt of the Award and agrees to observe and be bound by such terms and conditions.
Participant: | AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. | |||||
| By: |
| ||||
[] | Name: | |||||
Title: |
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ASSETMARK FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT
This Restricted Stock Award Agreement (this Agreement) is made and entered into as of Grant Date (the Grant Date) set forth in the Notice of Restricted Stock Award to which this Agreement is attached (the Notice) by and among AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. (the Company) and the Participant (the Participant) set forth in the Notice.
WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (as it may be amended from time to time, the Plan), pursuant to which Awards of Restricted Stock may be granted; and
WHEREAS, the Company has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to grant the Award of Restricted Stock provided for herein; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. Grant of Restricted Stock Award; Consideration. Pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan, the Company hereby issues to the Participant on the Grant Date an Award of Restricted Stock on the terms and conditions and subject to the restrictions set forth in the Notice, this Agreement and the Plan (the Award). The number of Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Award is set forth in the Notice. The Award is made in consideration of the services to be rendered by Participant to the Company and to any Affiliate of the Company that the Participant serves as an Employee, Consultant or Director (the Company and each such Affiliate, as applicable, the Employer).
2. Restricted Period; Vesting. Except as otherwise provided herein, provided that the Participant does not experience a Termination of Service prior to the applicable vesting date[, and further provided that any additional conditions and performance goals set forth in Schedule [ ] have been satisfied] subject to Section 2, the Award shall vest according to the vesting schedule set forth in the Notice. The Restricted Period shall mean the period during which the Award remains outstanding and not fully vested.
3. Termination of Service. In the event of the Participants Termination of Service for any reason, any Restricted Stock that are not vested as of the date of such Termination of Service will be forfeited.
4. Change in Control; Adjustments. In the event of a Change in Control while the Restricted Stock remains outstanding and unvested, the Restricted Stock will be treated in accordance with Section 12(c) of the Plan. If any change is made to the outstanding Common Stock or the capital structure of the Company, the Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in the Restricted Stock in any manner as contemplated by Section 14(c) of the Plan.
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5. Restrictions. Subject to any exceptions set forth in this Agreement or the Plan or as otherwise permitted by the Committee, during the Restricted Period, neither the Restricted Stock nor any rights relating thereto may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Participant other than by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempt to assign, alienate, pledge, attach, sell or otherwise transfer or encumber the Restricted Stock or any rights relating thereto in contravention of this Agreement or the Plan shall be wholly ineffective. This provision shall not apply to any portion of the Award that has been vested and fully settled and shall not preclude forfeiture of any portion of the Award in accordance with the terms herein.
6. Rights as a Shareholder.
(a) Voting and Dividend Rights. The Participant shall be the record owner of the Restricted Stock until such Shares are sold or otherwise disposed of, and shall be entitled to all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company including, without limitation, to the extent specified in the Notice, the right to vote such shares and receive all dividends or other distributions paid with respect to such shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any dividends or other distributions shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid, and shall be withheld by the Company for the Participants account. Interest may be credited on the amount of the cash dividends withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee from time to time. If the right to vote the Restricted Stock has not been extended to the Participant in the Notice, then the Committee has reserved the right to exercise the voting rights with respect to the Restricted Stock.
(b) Documentation of Issuance. The Company may issue stock certificates or evidence the Participants interest by using a restricted book entry account with the Companys transfer agent. Physical possession or custody of any stock certificates that are issued shall be retained by the Company until such time as the Restricted Stock vests.
(c) Legend. A legend may be placed on any certificate(s) or other document(s) delivered to the Participant indicating restrictions on transferability of the shares of Restricted Stock pursuant to this Agreement or any other restrictions that the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any applicable federal or state securities laws or any stock exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are then listed or quoted.
(d) Forfeiture. If the Participant forfeits any rights he or she has under this Agreement in accordance with Section 3, the Participant shall, on the date of such forfeiture, no longer have any rights as a shareholder with respect to the Restricted Stock and shall no longer be entitled to vote or receive dividends on such shares.
7. Section 83(b) Election. The Participant may make an election under Code Section 83(b) (a Section 83(b) Election) with respect to the Restricted Stock. Any such election must be made within thirty (30) days after the Grant Date. If the Participant elects to make a Section 83(b) Election, the Participant shall provide the Company with a copy of an executed version and satisfactory evidence of the filing of the executed Section 83(b) Election with the Internal Revenue Service. The Participant agrees to assume full responsibility for ensuring that the Section 83(b) Election is actually and timely filed with the Internal Revenue Service and for all tax consequences resulting from the Section 83(b) Election.
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8. Responsibility for Taxes.
(a) The Participant shall be required to pay to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to deduct from any compensation paid to the Participant pursuant to the Plan, the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect of the Restricted Stock and to take all such other action as the Committee deems necessary to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes. The Committee may permit the Participant to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation by any of the following means, or by a combination of such means:
(i) tendering a cash payment.
(ii) authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable to the Participant as a result of the vesting of the Restricted Stock; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock shall be withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law.
(iii) delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock.
(b) Notwithstanding any action the Company takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, or other tax-related withholding (Tax-Related Items), the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participants responsibility and the Company (i) makes no representation or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with the grant, or vesting or settlement of the Restricted Stock or the subsequent sale of any shares; and (ii) does not commit to structure the Award or the Restricted Stock to reduce or eliminate the Participants liability for Tax-Related Items.
9. Not Salary, Pensionable Earnings or Base Pay. The Participant acknowledges that the Award shall not be included in or deemed to be a part of (a) salary, normal salary or other ordinary compensation, (b) any definition of pensionable or other earnings (however defined) for the purpose of calculating any benefits payable to or on behalf of the Participant under any pension, retirement, termination or dismissal indemnity, severance benefit, retirement indemnity or other benefit arrangement of the Company or any Affiliate (including the Employer) or (c) any calculation of base pay or regular pay for any purpose.
10. Cancellation/Clawback. The Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Participant and the Award are subject to the terms and conditions of Section 18 of the Plan.
11. Provisions of Plan Control. This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, including the amendment provisions thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations relating to the Plan as may be adopted by the Committee and as may be in effect from time to time. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. If and to the extent that this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly.
12. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered personally or by courier, or sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, duly addressed to the party concerned at the address indicated below or to such changed address as such party may subsequently by similar process give notice of:
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If to the Company:
AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc.
[Address]
Attention: [ ]
Email: [ ]
If to the Participant, to the address of the Participant on file with the Company.
13. No Right to Continued Service. Neither the Plan, the Notice or this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Participant any right to be retained in the employ of, or to continue to provide services to, the Company or any Affiliate (including the Employer).
14. No Right to Future Awards. Any Award granted under the Plan shall be a one-time Award that does not constitute a promise of future grants. The Company, in its sole discretion, maintains the right to make available future grants under the Plan.
15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Plan, the Notice and any other agreements, schedules, exhibits and other documents referred to herein or therein constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous arrangements, agreements and understandings, both oral and written, whether in term sheets, presentations or otherwise, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
16. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or this Agreement under any law deemed applicable by the Board, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Board, materially altering the intent of this Agreement, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
17. Amendment; Waiver. No amendment or modification of any provision of this Agreement that has a material adverse effect on the Participant shall be effective unless signed in writing by or on behalf of the Company and the Participant; provided that the Company may amend or modify this Agreement without the Participants consent in accordance with the provisions of the Plan or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement. No waiver of any breach or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach or condition, whether of like or different nature. Any amendment or modification of or to any provision of this Agreement, or any waiver of any provision of this Agreement, shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which such amendment, modification or waiver is made or given.
18. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any right, remedy, obligation or liability arising hereunder or by reason hereof shall be assignable by the Participant.
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19. Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Participant and their respective heirs, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer on any Person other than the Company and the Participant, and their respective heirs, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
20. Dispute Resolution. All controversies and claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach hereof, shall be settled by the Companys or the Employers mandatory dispute resolution procedures, if any, as may be in effect from time to time with respect to matters arising out of or relating to the Participants employment with the Company or the Employer.
21. Governing Law; Venue. All matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including its validity, interpretation, construction, performance and enforcement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to its principles of conflict of laws. For purposes of any action, lawsuit or other proceedings brought to enforce this Agreement, relating to it, or arising from it, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Santa Clara County, California, or the federal courts for the United States for the Northern District of California, and no other courts.
22. Imposition of other Requirements and Participant Undertaking. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Participants participation in the Plan, on the Award and on any Shares to be issued upon settlement of the Award, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Participant agrees to take whatever additional action and execute whatever additional documents the Company may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the foregoing or to carry out or give effect to any of the obligations or restrictions imposed on either the Participant or the Restricted Stock pursuant to this Agreement.
23. References. References herein to rights and obligations of the Participant shall apply, where appropriate, to the Participants legal representative or estate without regard to whether specific reference to such legal representative or estate is contained in a particular provision of this Agreement.
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ASSETMARK FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD
Except as otherwise indicated, any capitalized term used but not defined in this Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award (this Notice) shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (as it may be amended from time to time, the Plan).
Name: []
Address: []
The undersigned Participant has been granted an Award of Restricted Stock Units or RSUs (the Award) under the Plan, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, this Notice and the attached Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.
Number of RSUs: | [] | |
Date of Grant: | [] | |
Dividend Equivalents: | [Not] Included | |
Vesting Commencement Date: | [] | |
Vesting Schedule: | Subject to Section 2 of the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, the Award will vest in accordance with the following schedule: | |
[] |
By signing where indicated below, AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. (the Company) grants the Award to the Participant upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Notice and the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, and the applicable provisions of the Plan, and the Participant acknowledges receipt of the Award and agrees to observe and be bound by such terms and conditions.
Participant: | AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. | |||||
| By: |
| ||||
[] | Name: | |||||
Title: |
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ASSETMARK FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
This Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this Agreement) is made and entered into as of Grant Date (the Grant Date) set forth in the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award to which this Agreement is attached (the Notice) by and among AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. (the Company) and the Participant (the Participant) set forth in the Notice.
WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (as it may be amended from time to time, the Plan), pursuant to which Awards of Restricted Stock Units may be granted; and
WHEREAS, the Company has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to grant the Award of Restricted Stock Units or RSUs provided for herein; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. Grant of Restricted Stock Award; Consideration. Pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan, the Company hereby issues to the Participant on the Grant Date an Award of RSUs on the terms and conditions and subject to the restrictions set forth in the Notice, this Agreement and the Plan (the Award). The number of RSUs granted pursuant to the Award is set forth in the Notice. Each RSU shall represent the right to receive one Share upon the vesting of such RSU, as determined in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Plan and the Notice. The Award is made in consideration of the services to be rendered by Participant to the Company and to any Affiliate of the Company that the Participant serves as an Employee, Consultant or Director (the Company and each such Affiliate, as applicable, the Employer).
2. Restricted Period; Vesting. Except as otherwise provided herein, provided that the Participant does not experience a Termination of Service prior to the applicable vesting date[, and further provided that any additional conditions and performance goals set forth in Schedule [ ] have been satisfied] subject to Section 3, the Award shall vest according to the vesting schedule set forth in the Notice. The Restricted Period shall mean the period during which the Award remains outstanding and not fully vested.
3. Termination of Service. In the event of the Participants Termination of Service for any reason, any RSUs that are not vested as of the date of such Termination of Service will be forfeited.
4. Change in Control; Adjustments. In the event of a Change in Control while the RSUs remain outstanding and unvested, the RSUs will be treated in accordance with Section 12(c) of the Plan. If any change is made to the outstanding Common Stock or the capital structure of the Company, the Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, the RSUs in any manner as contemplated by Section 14(c) of the Plan.
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5. Restrictions. Subject to any exceptions set forth in this Agreement or the Plan or as otherwise permitted by the Committee, during the Restricted Period and until such time as the RSUs are settled in accordance with Section 7, neither the RSUs nor any rights relating thereto may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Participant other than by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempt to assign, alienate, pledge, attach, sell or otherwise transfer or encumber the RSUs or any rights relating thereto in contravention of this Agreement or the Plan shall be wholly ineffective. This provision shall not apply to any portion of the Award that has been vested and fully settled and shall not preclude forfeiture of any portion of the Award in accordance with the terms herein.
6. No Rights as a Shareholder. The Participant shall have no voting rights, rights to dividends or dividend equivalents or any other rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the RSUs unless and until such time as the RSUs are settled in accordance with Section 7.
7. Distribution of Shares. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, upon the vesting of any of the RSUs, the Company shall, as soon as reasonably practicable (and in no event later than 30 days) after the applicable Vesting Date, (a) issue and deliver to the Participant one Share for each such RSU, and (b) make a cash payment to the Participant equal to the amount of any Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to such RSUs and any interest credited thereon or, at the discretion of the Committee, Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to such amount. Upon delivery, all such Shares shall be fully assignable, alienable, saleable and transferrable by the Participant; provided that any such assignment, alienation, sale, transfer or other alienation with respect to such Shares shall be in accordance with applicable securities laws and any applicable Company policy.
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8. Responsibility for Taxes.
(a) The Participant shall be required to pay to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to deduct from any compensation paid to the Participant pursuant to the Plan, the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect of the RSUs and to take all such other action as the Committee deems necessary to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes. The Committee may permit the Participant to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation by any of the following means, or by a combination of such means:
(i) tendering a cash payment.
(ii) authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable to the Participant as a result of the immediate vesting of the RSUs; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock shall be withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law.
(iii) delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock.
(b) Notwithstanding any action the Company takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, or other tax-related withholding (Tax-Related Items), the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participants responsibility and the Company (i) makes no representation or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with the grant, or vesting or settlement of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of any shares; and (ii) does not commit to structure the Award or the RSUs to reduce or eliminate the Participants liability for Tax-Related Items.
9. Not Salary, Pensionable Earnings or Base Pay. The Participant acknowledges that the Award shall not be included in or deemed to be a part of (a) salary, normal salary or other ordinary compensation, (b) any definition of pensionable or other earnings (however defined) for the purpose of calculating any benefits payable to or on behalf of the Participant under any pension, retirement, termination or dismissal indemnity, severance benefit, retirement indemnity or other benefit arrangement of the Company or any Affiliate (including the Employer) or (c) any calculation of base pay or regular pay for any purpose.
10. Cancellation/Clawback. The Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Participant and the Award are subject to the terms and conditions of Section 18 of the Plan.
11. Provisions of Plan Control. This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, including the amendment provisions thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations relating to the Plan as may be adopted by the Committee and as may be in effect from time to time. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. If and to the extent that this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly.
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12. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered personally or by courier, or sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, duly addressed to the party concerned at the address indicated below or to such changed address as such party may subsequently by similar process give notice of:
If to the Company:
AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc.
[Address]
Attention: [ ]
Email: [ ]
If to the Participant, to the address of the Participant on file with the Company.
13. No Right to Continued Service. Neither the Plan, the Notice or this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Participant any right to be retained in the employ of, or to continue to provide services to, the Company or any Affiliate (including the Employer).
14. No Right to Future Awards. Any Award granted under the Plan shall be a one-time Award that does not constitute a promise of future grants. The Company, in its sole discretion, maintains the right to make available future grants under the Plan.
15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Plan, the Notice and any other agreements, schedules, exhibits and other documents referred to herein or therein constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous arrangements, agreements and understandings, both oral and written, whether in term sheets, presentations or otherwise, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
16. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or this Agreement under any law deemed applicable by the Board, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Board, materially altering the intent of this Agreement, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
17. Amendment; Waiver. No amendment or modification of any provision of this Agreement that has a material adverse effect on the Participant shall be effective unless signed in writing by or on behalf of the Company and the Participant; provided that the Company may amend or modify this Agreement without the Participants consent in accordance with the provisions of the Plan or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement. No waiver of any breach or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach or condition, whether of like or different nature. Any amendment or modification of or to any provision of this Agreement, or any waiver of any provision of this Agreement, shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which such amendment, modification or waiver is made or given.
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18. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any right, remedy, obligation or liability arising hereunder or by reason hereof shall be assignable by the Participant.
19. Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Participant and their respective heirs, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer on any Person other than the Company and the Participant, and their respective heirs, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
20. Dispute Resolution. All controversies and claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach hereof, shall be settled by the Companys or the Employers mandatory dispute resolution procedures, if any, as may be in effect from time to time with respect to matters arising out of or relating to the Participants employment with the Company or the Employer.
21. Governing Law; Venue. All matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including its validity, interpretation, construction, performance and enforcement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to its principles of conflict of laws. For purposes of any action, lawsuit or other proceedings brought to enforce this Agreement, relating to it, or arising from it, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Santa Clara County, California, or the federal courts for the United States for the Northern District of California, and no other courts.
22. Imposition of other Requirements and Participant Undertaking. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Participants participation in the Plan, on the Award and on any Shares to be issued upon settlement of the Award, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Participant agrees to take whatever additional action and execute whatever additional documents the Company may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the foregoing or to carry out or give effect to any of the obligations or restrictions imposed on either the Participant or the RSU pursuant to this Agreement.
23. References. References herein to rights and obligations of the Participant shall apply, where appropriate, to the Participants legal representative or estate without regard to whether specific reference to such legal representative or estate is contained in a particular provision of this Agreement.
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