Business Planning Services Agreement between Pacific Trust Bank and RP Financial, LC.

Summary

Pacific Trust Bank has engaged RP Financial, LC. to prepare a regulatory business plan and financial projections as part of the Bank's conversion to a wholly-owned subsidiary of a stock holding company. RP Financial will evaluate the Bank's current operations, develop strategies, and create detailed financial projections and a written business plan for regulatory submission. The Bank will pay a fixed fee of $10,000 plus reimbursable expenses. If the engagement is discontinued early, payment will be based on time spent, not exceeding the fixed fee. Terms may be renegotiated if significant changes occur.

EX-10.4 18 ex10-4busltr.htm RPFINANCIAL, LC.
Financial Services Industry Consultants

January 7, 2002

Mr. Hans R. Ganz
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pacific Trust Bank
610 Bay Boulevard
Chula Vista, California 91910

Dear Mr. Ganz:

              This letter sets forth the agreement between Pacific Trust Bank, Chula Vista, California ("Pacific Trust" or the "Bank"), and RP Financial, LC. ("RP Financial"), whereby the Bank has engaged RP Financial to prepare the regulatory business plan and financial projections to be adopted by the Bank's Board of Directors in conjunction with the stock conversion transaction, whereby the Bank will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of a stock holding company. These services are described in greater detail below.

Description of Proposed Services

              RP Financial's business planning services will include the following areas: (1) evaluating Pacific Trust's current financial and operating condition, business strategies and anticipated strategies in the future; (2) analyzing and quantifying the impact of business strategies, incorporating the use of net conversion proceeds both in the short and long term; (3) preparing detailed financial projections on a quarterly basis for a period of at least three fiscal years to reflect the impact of Board approved business strategies and use of proceeds; (4) preparing the written business plan document which conforms with applicable regulatory guidelines including a description of the use of proceeds and how the convenience and needs of the community will be addressed; and (5) preparing the detailed schedules of the capitalization of the Bank and holding company and related cash flows.

              Contents of the business plan will include: Philosophy/Goals; Economic Environment and Background; Lending, Leasing and Investment Activities; Deposit, Savings and Borrowing Activity; Asset and Liability Management; Operations; Records, Systems and Controls; Growth, Profitability and Capital; Responsibility for Monitoring this Plan.

              RP Financial agrees to prepare the business plan and accompanying financial projections in writing such that the business plan can be filed with the appropriate regulatory agencies prior to filing the appropriate applications.

Fee Structure and Payment Schedule

              The Bank agrees to compensate RP Financial for preparation of the business plan on a fixed fee basis of $10,000. Payment of the professional fees shall be made upon delivery of the completed business plan.

              The Bank also agrees to reimburse RP Financial for those direct out-of-pocket expenses necessary and incidental to providing the business planning services. Reimbursable expenses will likely include shipping, telephone/facsimile printing, computer and data services, and shall be paid to RP Financial as incurred and billed. RP Financial will agree to limit reimbursable expenses in conjunction with the appraisal engagement, subject to written authorization from the Bank to exceed such level.

              In the event the Bank shall, for any reason, discontinue this planning engagement prior to delivery of the completed business plan and payment of the progress payment fee, the Bank agrees to compensate RP Financial according to RP Financial's standard billing rates for consulting services based on accumulated and verifiable time expenses, not to exceed the fixed fee described above, plus reimbursable expenses incurred.

              If during the course of the planning engagement, unforeseen events occur so as to materially change the nature or the work content of the business planning services described in this contract, the terms of said contract shall be subject to renegotiation by the Bank and RP Financial. Such unforeseen events may include changes in regulatory requirements as it specifically relates to Pacific Trust or potential transactions which will dramatically impact the Bank such as a pending acquisition or branch transaction.

* * * * * * * * * * *


              Please acknowledge your agreement to the foregoing by signing as indicated below and returning to RP Financial a signed copy of this letter.

Sincerely,
 
 
Ronald S. Riggins
President and Managing Director
 
 
Agreed To
and Accepted By:
Hans R. Ganz
President and Chief Executive Officer

 
Upon Authorization by the Board of Directors For:
Pacific Trust Bank, Chula Vista, California
Date Executed: ___________________________________





End.