Ex-10.1 Atlantic Coast Federal Corporation 2005 Stock Option Plan
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EX-10.1 2 g95652exv10w1.txt EX-10.1 ATLANTIC COAST FEDERAL CORPORATION 2005 STOCK OPTION PLAN EXHIBIT 10.1 ATLANTIC COAST FEDERAL CORPORATION 2005 STOCK OPTION PLAN 1. PURPOSE The purpose of the Atlantic Coast Federal Corporation 2005 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is to advance the interests of Atlantic Coast Federal Corporation (the "Company") and its stockholders by providing Key Employees and Outside Directors of the Company and its Affiliates, including Atlantic Coast Federal (the "Bank"), upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the successful conduct of the business of the Company and its Affiliates largely depends, with an additional incentive to perform in a superior manner as well as to attract people of experience and ability. 2. DEFINITIONS "AFFILIATE" means any "parent corporation" or "subsidiary corporation" of the Company or the Bank, as such terms are defined in Section 424(e) or 424(f), respectively, of the Code, or a successor to a parent corporation or subsidiary corporation. "AWARD" means an Award of Non-Statutory Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, and Limited Rights granted under the provisions of the Plan. "BANK" means Atlantic Coast Federal, or a successor corporation. "BENEFICIARY" means the person or persons designated by a Participant to receive any benefits payable under the Plan in the event of such Participant's death. Such person or persons shall be designated in writing on forms provided for this purpose by the Committee and may be changed from time to time by similar written notice to the Committee. In the absence of a written designation, the Beneficiary shall be the Participant's surviving spouse, if any, or if none, his/her estate. "BOARD" or "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means the board of directors of the Company, unless otherwise noted herein. "CAUSE" means personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, any breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, or the willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or a final cease-and-desist order, any of which results in a material loss to the Company or an Affiliate. "CHANGE IN CONTROL" of the Bank or the Company means a change in control of a nature that: (i) would be required to be reported in response to Item 5.01 of the current report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"); or (ii) results in a Change in Control of the Bank or the Company within the meaning of the Home Owners' Loan Act, as amended ("HOLA"), and applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect at the time of the Change in Control; or (iii) without limitation such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (a) any "person" (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of Company's outstanding securities, except for any securities purchased by the Company's employee stock ownership plan or trust; or (b) individuals who constitute the Board on the date hereof (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by the same Nominating Committee serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be, for purposes of this clause (b), considered as though he/she were a member of the Incumbent Board; or (c) a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Bank or the Company or similar transaction occurs in which the Bank or Company is not the surviving institution; or (d) a proxy statement soliciting proxies from stockholders of the Company, by someone other than the current management of the Company, seeking stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company or similar transaction with one or more corporations as a result of which the outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject to the Plan are to be exchanged for or converted into cash or property or securities not issued by the Company; or (e) a tender offer is made for 25% or more of the voting securities of the Company and the stockholders owning beneficially or of record 25% or more of the outstanding securities of the Company have tendered or offered to sell their shares pursuant to such tender offer and such tendered shares have been accepted by the tender offeror. "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. "COMMITTEE" means the committee consisting of either (i) at least two Non-Employee Directors of the Company, or (ii) the entire Board of the Company. "COMMON STOCK" means shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share. "COMPANY" means Atlantic Coast Federal Corporation, the stock holding company of the Bank, or a successor corporation. "CONTINUOUS SERVICE" means employment as a Key Employee and/or service as an Outside Director without any interruption or termination of such employment and/or service. Continuous Service shall also mean a continuation as a member of the Board of Directors following a cessation of employment as a Key Employee or continuation of service as a Director Emeritus following termination of service as a Director. In the case of a Key Employee, employment shall not be considered interrupted in the case of sick leave, military leave or any other approved leave of absence or in the case of transfers between payroll locations of the Company, its subsidiaries or its successor. "DATE OF GRANT" means the actual date on which an Award is granted by the Committee. "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board. "DIRECTOR EMERITUS" means a former member of the Board who has been appointed to a Director Emeritus position. "DISABILITY" means the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable mental or physical impairment which can be expected to result in death or which lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. An individual shall not be considered to be permanently and totally disabled unless he furnishes proof of the existence thereof in such form and manner, and at such times, as the Secretary of the Treasury may require, in accordance with Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the date of, or a date determined by the Board of Directors following, approval of the Plan by the Company's stockholders. "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, when used in connection with the Common Stock on a certain date, the mean between the highest and lowest quoted selling prices of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq stock market (or over-the-counter market) on such date, or if the Common Stock was not traded on such date, then on the day prior to such date or on the next preceding day on which the Common Stock was traded; provided, however, that if the Common Stock is not reported on the Nasdaq stock market (or over the counter market), Fair Market Value shall mean the average sale price of all shares of Common Stock sold during the 30-day period immediately preceding the date on which such stock option was granted, and if no shares of stock have been sold within such 30-day period, the average sale price of the last three sales of Common Stock sold during the 90-day period immediately preceding the date on which such stock option was granted. In the event Fair Market Value cannot be determined in the manner described above, then Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee is authorized, but is not required, to obtain an independent appraisal to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock. "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option granted by the Committee to a Key Employee, which Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to Section 9. 2 "KEY EMPLOYEE" means any person who is currently employed by the Company or an Affiliate who is chosen by the Committee to participate in the Plan. "LIMITED RIGHT" means the right to receive a number of shares of Common Stock based upon the terms set forth in Section 10. "NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR" means, for purposes of the Plan, a Director who (a) is not employed by the Company or an Affiliate; (b) does not receive compensation directly or indirectly as a consultant (or in any other capacity than as a Director) greater than $60,000; (c) does not have an interest in a transaction requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K; or (d) is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K. "NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option granted by the Committee to (i) an Outside Director or (ii) any other Participant and such Option is either (a) not designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option, or (b) fails to satisfy the requirements of an Incentive Stock Option as set forth in Section 422 of the Code and the regulations thereunder. "OTS" means the Office of Thrift Supervision. "OPTION" means an Award granted under Section 8 or Section 9. "OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" means a Director of the Company or an Affiliate who is not an employee of the Company or an Affiliate. "PARTICIPANT" means a Key Employee or Outside Director of the Company or its Affiliates who receives or has received an Award under the Plan. "RIGHT" means a Limited Right. "TERMINATION FOR CAUSE" means the termination of employment or termination of service on the Board caused by the individual's personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, any breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, or the willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses), or a final cease and desist order, any of which results in material loss to the Company or one of its Affiliates. 3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN (a) ROLE OF THE COMMITTEE. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The interpretation and construction by the Committee of any provisions of the Plan or of any Option granted hereunder shall be final and binding. The Committee shall act by vote or written consent of a majority of its members. Subject to the express provisions and limitations of the Plan and subject to OTS regulations and policy, the Committee may adopt such rules and procedures as it deems appropriate for the conduct of its affairs. The Committee shall report its actions and decisions with respect to the Plan to the Board at appropriate times, but in no event less than one time per calendar year. (b) ROLE OF THE BOARD. The members of the Committee shall be appointed or approved by, and will serve at the pleasure of, the Board of Directors of the Company. The Board may in its discretion from time to time remove members from, or add members to, the Committee. The Board shall have all of the powers allocated to it in the Plan, may take any action under or with respect to the Plan that the Committee is authorized to take, and may reverse or override any action taken or decision made by the Committee under or with respect to the Plan. (c) PLAN ADMINISTRATION RESTRICTIONS. All transactions involving a grant, award or other acquisitions from the Company shall: (i) be approved by the Company's full Board or by the Committee; 3 (ii) be approved, or ratified, in compliance with Section 14 of the Exchange Act, by either: the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present, or represented and entitled to vote at a meeting duly held in accordance with the laws under which the Company is incorporated; or the written consent of the holders of a majority of the securities of the issuer entitled to vote, provided that such ratification occurs no later than the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders; or (iii) result in the acquisition of Common Stock that is held by the Recipient for a period of six months following the date of such acquisition. (d) LIMITATION ON LIABILITY. No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Awards granted under it. If a member of the Board or the Committee is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of anything done or not done by him in such capacity under or with respect to the Plan, the Bank or the Company shall indemnify such member against expense (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he/she acted in good faith and in a manner he/she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Bank and the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his/her conduct was unlawful. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, and subject to any adjustment that may be made pursuant to Section 16 hereof, once an Option has been awarded at Fair Market Value, the Committee shall not have authority to reprice such Option so that the exercise price of the Option shall be less than the exercise price on the Date of Grant. 4. TYPES OF AWARDS Awards under the Plan may be granted in any one or a combination of: (a) Incentive Stock Options; (b) Non-Statutory Stock Options, and (c) Limited Rights. 5. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 16, the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan is 712,827 shares. Shares issued under the Plan may be issued by the Company from authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares, or acquired by the Company in open market purchases. The maximum number of Options that may be awarded to a Key Employee is 178,206. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options is 712,827. For these purposes, only the net number of shares issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option are counted against the maximum number of shares. To the extent that Options or Rights granted under the Plan are exercised, the shares covered will be unavailable for future grants under the Plan; to the extent that Options together with any related Rights granted under the Plan terminate, expire or are forfeited without having been exercised, new Awards may be made with respect to these shares. Any shares that are issued by the Company, and any Awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Company, through the assumption by the Company or an affiliate thereof, or in substitution for, outstanding Awards previously granted by an acquired company, shall not be counted against the shares available for issuance under the Plan. 6. ELIGIBILITY Key Employees of the Company and its Affiliates shall be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options, Non-Statutory Stock Options, and Limited Rights under the Plan. Outside Directors shall be eligible to receive Non-Statutory Stock Options under the Plan. 4 7. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS AND RIGHTS (a) The Committee shall have full and complete authority and discretion, subject to OTS regulations and policy and except as expressly limited by the Plan, to grant Options and/or Rights and to provide the terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Participants) thereof. In particular, the Committee shall prescribe the following terms and conditions: (i) the Exercise Price of any Option or Right, which shall not be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant, (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to, and the expiration date of, any Option or Right, which expiration date shall not exceed ten years from the Date of Grant, (iii) the manner, time and rate (cumulative or otherwise) of exercise of such Option or Right, and (iv) the restrictions, if any, to be placed upon such Option or Right or upon shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon exercise of such Option or Right. (b) The following provisions shall apply to all Awards made under this Plan: no individual officer shall be granted Awards with respect to more than 25% of the total shares (or 178,206 shares) subject to the Plan; no Outside Director shall be granted Awards with respect to more than 5% of the total shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan; all Outside Directors in the aggregate may not be granted Awards with respect to more than 30% of the total shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan; no Awards shall begin vesting earlier than one year from the date the Plan is approved by stockholders of the Company; and no Awards shall vest at a rate in excess of 20% per year beginning one year from the Date of Grant. (c) Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, all executive officers or directors must exercise or forfeit their Awards in the event that the Bank becomes critically undercapitalized (as defined in 12 C.F.R. Section 565.4), becomes subject to enforcement action by the OTS, or receives a capital direction from the OTS pursuant to 12 C.F.R. Section 565.7. (d) The Company, or its designee, shall timely furnish to individuals in the Plan following the individual's exercise of an Incentive Stock Option a written information statement containing the information set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.6039-1(a). 8. NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS The Committee may, from time to time, grant Non-Statutory Stock Options to eligible Key Employees and Outside Directors. Non-Statutory Stock Options granted under the Plan, including Non-Statutory Stock Options granted in exchange for and upon surrender of previously granted Awards, are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section. (a) OPTION AGREEMENT. Each Option shall be evidenced by a written option agreement between the Company and the Participant specifying the number of shares of Common Stock that may be acquired through its exercise and containing such other terms and conditions that are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan. (b) PRICE. The purchase price per share of Common Stock deliverable upon the exercise of each Non-Statutory Stock Option shall be the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock of the Company on the Date of Grant. Shares may be purchased only upon full payment of the purchase price in one or more of the manners set forth in Section 12 hereof, as determined by the Committee. (c) VESTING. Subject to Section 7(b) hereof, a Non-Statutory Stock Option granted under the Plan shall vest in a Participant at the rate or rates determined by the Committee. No Options shall become vested in a Participant unless the Participant maintains Continuous Service until the vesting date of such Option, except as set forth herein. The Committee may, subject to OTS regulations and policy, accelerate the time at which any Non-Statutory Stock Option may be exercised in whole or in part. (d) EXERCISE OF OPTIONS. A vested Option may be exercised from time to time, in whole or in part, by delivering a written notice of exercise to the President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or his/her designee. Such notice shall be irrevocable and must be accompanied by full payment of the purchase price in cash or shares of Common Stock at the Fair Market Value of such shares, determined on the exercise date in the manner 5 described in Section 2 hereof. If previously acquired shares of Common Stock are tendered in payment of all or part of the exercise price, the value of such shares shall be determined as of the date of such exercise. (e) AMOUNT OF AWARDS. Subject to Section 7(b) hereof, Non-Statutory Stock Options may be granted to any Key Employee or Outside Director in such amounts as determined by the Committee. In granting Non-Statutory Stock Options, the Committee shall consider such factors as it deems relevant, which factors may include, among others, the position and responsibility of the Key Employee or Outside Director, the length and value of his/her service to the Bank, the Company or the Affiliate, the compensation paid to the Key Employee or Outside Director, and the Committee's evaluation of the performance of the Bank, the Company or the Affiliate, according to measurements that may include, among others, key financial ratios, level of classified assets and independent audit findings. (f) TERM OF OPTIONS. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, the term during which Non-Statutory Stock Options may be exercised shall not exceed ten years from the Date of Grant. In no event shall a Non-Statutory Stock Option be exercisable in whole or in part more than ten years from the Date of Grant. (g) TERMINATION OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE. Upon the termination of a Key Employee's or Outside Director's Continuous Service, for any reason other than death, Disability, Termination for Cause, termination following a Change in Control (other than for Cause following a Change in Control), the Participant's Non-Statutory Stock Options shall be exercisable only as to those shares that were vested on the date of termination and only for one year following termination. In the event of Termination for Cause, all rights under a Participant's Non-Statutory Stock Options shall expire upon termination. In the event of the Participant's termination of Continuous Service due to death, Disability, or following a Change in Control, all Non-Statutory Stock Options held by the Participant, whether or not vested at such time, shall vest and become exercisable by the Participant or his/her legal representative or beneficiaries for one year following the date of such termination, death or cessation of employment or service, provided that in no event shall the period extend beyond the expiration of the Non-Statutory Stock Option term. (h) TRANSFERABILITY. In the discretion of the Board, all or any Non-Statutory Stock Option granted hereunder may be transferable by the Participant once the Option has vested in the Participant, provided, however, that the Board may limit the transferability of such Option or Options to a designated class or classes of persons. 9. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS The Committee may, from time to time, grant Incentive Stock Options to Key Employees. Incentive Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions: (a) OPTION AGREEMENT. Each Option shall be evidenced by a written option agreement between the Company and the Key Employee specifying the number of shares of Common Stock that may be acquired through its exercise and containing such other terms and conditions that are consistent with the terms of the Plan. (b) PRICE. Subject to Section 16 hereof and Section 422 of the Code, the purchase price per share of Common Stock deliverable upon the exercise of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Company's Common Stock on the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted. However, if a Key Employee owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Affiliates (or under Section 424(d) of the Code is deemed to own stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Affiliates by reason of the ownership of such classes of stock, directly or indirectly, by or for any brother, sister, spouse, ancestor or lineal descendent of such Key Employee, or by or for any corporation, partnership, estate or trust of which such Key Employee is a stockholder, partner or Beneficiary), the purchase price per share of Common Stock deliverable upon the exercise of each Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Company's Common Stock on the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted. Shares may be purchased only upon payment of the full purchase price. Payment of the purchase price may be made, in whole or in part, through the surrender of shares of the Common Stock of the Company at the Fair Market Value of such shares determined on the exercise date. 6 (c) VESTING. Subject to Section 7(b) hereof, Incentive Stock Options awarded to Key Employees shall vest at the rate or rates determined by the Committee. No Incentive Stock Option shall become vested in a Participant unless the Participant maintains Continuous Service until the vesting date of such Option, except as set forth herein. (d) EXERCISE OF OPTIONS. Vested Options may be exercised from time to time, in whole or in part, by delivering a written notice of exercise to the President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or his/her designee. Such notice is irrevocable and must be accompanied by full payment of the exercise price in cash or shares of Common Stock at the Fair Market Value of such shares determined on the exercise date. The Options comprising each installment may be exercised in whole or in part at any time after such installment becomes vested, provided that the amount able to be first exercised in a given year is consistent with the terms of Section 422 of the Code. To the extent required by Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the Option is granted) of the Common Stock for which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) shall not exceed $100,000. The Committee may, in its sole discretion and subject to OTS regulations and policy, accelerate the time at which any Incentive Stock Option may be exercised in whole or in part, provided that it is consistent with the terms of Section 422 of the Code. Notwithstanding the above, in the event of a Change in Control of the Company, all Incentive Stock Options that have been awarded shall become immediately exercisable, provided, however, that if the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the Option is granted) of Common Stock for which Options are exercisable as a result of a Change in Control, together with the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the Option is granted) of all other Common Stock for which Incentive Stock Options become exercisable during such year, exceeds $100,000, then the first $100,000 of Incentive Stock Options (determined as of the Date of Grant) shall be exercisable as Incentive Stock Options and any excess shall be exercisable as Non-Statutory Stock Options (but shall remain subject to the provisions of this Section to the extent permitted). (e) AMOUNTS OF AWARDS. Subject to Section 7(b) hereof, Incentive Stock Options may be granted to any eligible Key Employee in such amounts as determined by the Committee; provided that the amount granted is consistent with the terms of Section 422 of the Code. In granting Incentive Stock Options, the Committee shall consider such factors as it deems relevant, which factors may include, among others, the position and responsibilities of the Key Employee, the length and value of his/her service to the Bank, the Company, or the Affiliate, the compensation paid to the Key Employee and the Committee's evaluation of the performance of the Bank, the Company, or the Affiliate, according to measurements that may include, among others, key financial ratios, levels of classified assets, and independent audit findings. The provisions of this subsection (e) shall be construed and applied in accordance with Section 422(d) of the Code and the regulations, if any, promulgated thereunder. (f) TERMS OF OPTIONS. The term during which each Incentive Stock Option may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee, provided, however, in no event shall an Incentive Stock Option be exercisable in whole or in part more than 10 years from the Date of Grant. If any Key Employee, at the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted to him, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Affiliate (or, under Section 424(d) of the Code, is deemed to own stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock, by reason of the ownership of such classes of stock, directly or indirectly, by or for any brother, sister, spouse, ancestor or lineal descendent of such Key Employee, or by or for any corporation, partnership, estate or trust of which such Key Employee is a stockholder, partner or Beneficiary), the Incentive Stock Option granted to him shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Date of Grant. (g) TERMINATION OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE. Upon the termination of a Key Employee's Continuous Service for any reason other than death, Disability, Termination for Cause or termination following a Change in Control (other than for Cause following a Change in Control) the Key Employee's Incentive Stock Options shall be exercisable only as to those shares that were vested by such Key Employee at the date of termination for a period of three months following termination. Upon termination of a Key Employee's Continuous Service due to death or Disability or following a Change in Control, all Incentive Options held by a Key Employee, whether or not vested at such time, shall vest and become exercisable by the Participant or his/her legal representative or beneficiaries for 7 one year following the date of such termination, death or cessation of Continuous Service, provided that in no event shall the period extend beyond the expiration of the Stock Option term, and provided, further, that, except in the event of death or Disability, such Option shall not be eligible for treatment as an Incentive Stock Option in the event such Option is exercised more than three months following termination. In the event of Termination for Cause, all rights under the Incentive Stock Options shall expire upon termination. In order to obtain Incentive Stock Option treatment for Options exercised by heirs or devisees of an Optionee, the Optionee's death must have occurred while employed or within three months of termination of Continuous Service. (h) TRANSFERABILITY. No Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan is transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution and is exercisable during his/her lifetime only by the Key Employee to which it is granted. (i) COMPLIANCE WITH CODE. The options granted under this Section are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but the Company makes no warranty as to the qualification of any Option as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. If an Option granted hereunder fails for whatever reason to comply with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, and such failure is not or cannot be cured, such Option shall be a Non-Statutory Stock Option. 10. LIMITED RIGHTS The Committee may grant a Limited Right simultaneously with the grant of any Option to any Key Employee of the Bank or the Company, with respect to all or some of the shares covered by such Option. Limited Rights granted under the Plan are subject to the following terms and conditions: (a) TERMS OF RIGHTS. In no event shall a Limited Right be exercisable in whole or in part before the expiration of six months from the date of grant of the Limited Right. A Limited Right may be exercised only in the event of a Change in Control of the Company. The Limited Right may be exercised only when the underlying Option is eligible to be exercised, provided that the Fair Market Value of the underlying shares on the day of exercise is greater than the exercise price of the related Option. Upon exercise of a Limited Right, the related Option shall cease to be exercisable. Upon exercise or termination of an Option, any related Limited Rights shall terminate. The Limited Rights may be for no more than 100% of the difference between the exercise price and the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the underlying Option. The Limited Right is transferable only when the underlying Option is transferable and under the same conditions. (b) PAYMENT. Upon exercise of a Limited Right, the holder shall promptly receive from the Company a number of shares of Common Stock equal in value to the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant of the Limited Right and the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Limited Right is exercised, multiplied by the number of Limited Rights being exercised. In no event shall a Limited Right be settled other than in shares of Common Stock. (c) Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph 10 to the contrary, in no event shall a Limited Right be exercisable in whole or in part if the Common Stock is not traded on an established securities market. 11. SURRENDER OF OPTION In the event of a Participant's termination of employment or termination of service as a result of death or Disability, the Participant (or his/her personal representative(s), heir(s), or devisee(s)) may, in a form acceptable to the Committee, make application to surrender all or part of the Options held by such Participant in exchange for a cash payment from the Company of an amount equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of termination of employment or the date of termination of service on the Board and the 8 exercise price per share of the Option. Whether the Company accepts such application or determines to make payment, in whole or part, is within its absolute and sole discretion, it being expressly understood that the Company is under no obligation to any Participant whatsoever to make such payments. In the event that the Company accepts such application and determines to make payment, such payment shall be in lieu of the exercise of the underlying Option and such Option shall cease to be exercisable. 12. ALTERNATE OPTION PAYMENT MECHANISM The Committee has sole discretion to determine what form of payment it will accept for the exercise of an Option. The Committee may indicate acceptable forms in the agreement with the Participant covering such Options or may reserve its decision to the time of exercise. No Option is to be considered exercised until payment in full is accepted by the Committee or its agent. (a) CASH PAYMENT. The exercise price may be paid in cash or by certified check. To the extent permitted by law, the Committee may permit all or a portion of the exercise price of an Option to be paid through borrowed funds. (b) CASHLESS EXERCISE. Subject to vesting requirements, if applicable, a Participant may engage in a "cashless exercise" of the Option. Upon a cashless exercise, the Participant shall give the Company written notice of the exercise of the Option together with an order to a registered broker-dealer or equivalent third party, to sell part or all of the Common Stock subject to the Option and to deliver enough of the proceeds to the Company to pay the Option exercise price and any applicable withholding taxes. If the Participant does not sell the Common Stock subject to the Option through a registered broker-dealer or equivalent third party, the Participant may give the Company written notice of the exercise of the Option and the third party purchaser of the Common Stock subject to the Option shall pay the Option exercise price plus applicable withholding taxes to the Company. (c) EXCHANGE OF COMMON STOCK. The Committee may permit payment of the Option exercise price by the tendering (or constructively tendering) of previously acquired shares of Common Stock. All shares of Common Stock tendered in payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be valued at the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock. No tendered shares of Common Stock which were acquired by the Participant upon the previous exercise of an Option or as awards under a stock award plan (such as the Company's Recognition and Retention Plan) shall be accepted for exchange unless the Participant has held such shares (without restrictions imposed by said plan or award) for at least six months prior to the exchange. 13. RIGHTS OF A STOCKHOLDER A Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by a Non-Statutory and/or Incentive Stock Option until the date of issuance of a stock certificate for such shares. Nothing in the Plan or in any Award granted confers on any person any right to continue in the employ of the Company or its Affiliates or to continue to perform services for the Company or its Affiliates or interferes in any way with the right of the Company or its Affiliates to terminate his/her services as an officer, director or employee at any time. 14. AGREEMENT WITH PARTICIPANTS Each Award of Options and Limited Rights will be evidenced by a written agreement, executed by the Participant and the Company or its Affiliates that describes the conditions for receiving the Awards, including the date of Award, the purchase price, applicable periods, and any other terms and conditions as may be required by the Board or applicable securities laws. 15. DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY A Participant may, with the consent of the Committee, designate a person or persons to receive, in the event of death, any Option or Limited Rights to which he/she would then be entitled. Such designation will be made upon forms supplied by and delivered to the Company and may be revoked in writing. If a Participant fails effectively to designate a Beneficiary, then his/her estate will be deemed to be the Beneficiary. 9 16. DILUTION AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, pro rata return of capital to all stockholders, recapitalization, or any merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization, combination or exchange of shares, or other similar corporate change, or other increase or decrease in such shares, without receipt or payment of consideration by the Company, the Committee will make such adjustments to previously granted Awards, to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of the Participant, including any or all of the following: (a) adjustments in the aggregate number or kind of shares of Common Stock that may be awarded under the Plan; (b) adjustments in the aggregate number or kind of shares of Common Stock covered by Awards already made under the Plan; or (c) adjustments in the purchase price of outstanding Incentive and/or Non-Statutory Stock Options, or any Limited Rights attached to such Options. No such adjustments may, however, materially change the value of benefits available to a Participant under a previously granted Award. With respect to Incentive Stock Options, no such adjustment shall be made if it would be deemed a "modification" of the Award under Section 424 of the Code. 17. EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL ON OPTION AWARDS In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee and the Board of Directors will take one or more of the following actions to be effective as of the date of such Change in Control: (a) provide that such Options shall be assumed, or equivalent options shall be substituted ("Substitute Options") by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), provided that: (1) any such Substitute Options exchanged for Incentive Stock Options shall meet the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code, and (2) the shares of stock issuable upon the exercise of such Substitute Options shall be registered in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act") or such securities shall be exempt from such registration in accordance with Sections 3(a)(2) or 3(a)(5) of the 1933 Act, (collectively, "Registered Securities"), or in the alternative, if the securities issuable upon the exercise of such Substitute Options shall not constitute Registered Securities, then the Participant will receive upon consummation of the Change in Control a cash payment for each Option surrendered equal to the difference between the (1) fair market value of the consideration to be received for each share of Common Stock in the Change in Control times the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such surrendered Options, and (2) the aggregate exercise price of all such surrendered Options; or (b) in the event of a transaction under the terms of which the holders of Common Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment (the "Merger Price") for each share of Common Stock exchanged in the Change in Control transaction, make or provide for a cash payment to the Participants equal to the difference between (1) the Merger Price times the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Options held by each Participant (to the extent then exercisable at prices not in excess of the Merger Price), and (2) the aggregate exercise price of all such surrendered Options. 18. WITHHOLDING There may be deducted from each distribution of cash and/or Common Stock under the Plan the minimum amount of any federal or state taxes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income and that are required by any governmental authority to be withheld. Shares of Common Stock will be withheld where required from any distribution of Common Stock. 10 19. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN The Board may at any time, and from time to time, modify or amend the Plan in any respect, or modify or amend an Award received by Key Employees and/or Outside Directors; provided, however, that no such termination, modification or amendment may affect the rights of a Participant, without his/her consent, under an outstanding Award. 20. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN The Plan shall become effective upon the date of approval of the Plan by the Company's stockholders. 21. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN The right to grant Awards under the Plan will terminate upon the earlier of (i) 10 years after the Effective Date, or (ii) the date on which the exercise of Options or related rights equaling the maximum number of shares reserved under the Plan occurs. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time, provided that no such action will, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect his/her rights under a previously granted Award. 22. APPLICABLE LAW (a) This Plan, the Awards, all documents evidencing Awards and all other related documents shall be governed by, and will be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, except to the extent that federal law shall apply. (b) This Plan is subject to the requirements of 12 C.F.R. Part 575, including the requirements of section 575.8 and the applicable requirements of section 563b.500. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, no shares of Common Stock shall be issued with respect to any Award to the extent that such issuance would cause Atlantic Coast Federal, MHC to fail to qualify as a mutual holding company under applicable federal regulations. 11
