2007 STOCK OPTION PLAN

EX-10.7 14 t1701677_ex10-7.htm EXHIBIT 10.7

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

2007 STOCK OPTION PLAN

 

1.Purpose

 

The purpose of the 2007 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) is to advance the interests of Esquire Bank (the “Bank”) and its stockholders by providing Key Employees and Outside Directors of the Bank and its Affiliates (the “Bank”), upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the successful conduct of the business of the Bank 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

 

“Advisory Board” means any advisory board of the Bank, unless otherwise noted herein.

 

“Affiliate” means any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of 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 Option and/or Incentive Stock Options granted under the provisions of the Plan.

 

“Bank” means Esquire Bank, 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 estate.

 

“Board” or “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Bank, unless otherwise noted herein.

 

“Cause” means personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, any breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, or the willful commission by the Executive of a criminal or other act (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) that, in the judgment of the Board, will likely cause substantial economic damage to the Bank or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Bank, or a final cease-and-desist order, any of which results in a material loss to the Bank or an Affiliate.

 

Change in Control” of the Bank 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 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 Bank representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of Bank’s outstanding securities except for any securities purchased in the Bank’s initial private placement of common stock; 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 Bank’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 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 similar transaction in which the Bank is not the surviving institution occurs; or (d) a proxy statement soliciting proxies from stockholders of the Bank, by someone other than the current management of the Bank, which receives the necessary stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Bank 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 or transaction are to be exchanged for or converted into cash or property or securities not issued by the Bank; or (e) a tender offer is made for 25% or more of the voting securities of the Bank and the shareholders owning beneficially or of record 25% or more of the outstanding securities of the Bank 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 Stock Benefits Committee consisting of either (i) at least two Non-Employee Directors of the Bank, or (ii) the entire Board of the Bank.

 

“Common Stock” means shares of the common stock of the Bank, par value $0.01 per share.

 

“Continuous Service” means employment as a Key Employee and/or service as an Outside Director or member of the Advisory Board 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. 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 Bank, 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, or a member of the Bank’s Advisory Board.

 

“Disability” means the permanent and total inability by reason of mental or physical infirmity, or both, of an employee to perform the work customarily assigned to him, or of a Director or Outside Director to serve as such.  Additionally, in the case of an employee, a medical doctor selected or approved by the Board must advise the Committee that it is either not possible to determine when such Disability will terminate or that it appears probable that such Disability will be permanent during the remainder of said employee’s lifetime.

 

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“Effective Date” means the date of, or a date determined by the Board of Directors following, approval of the Plan by the Bank’s stockholders.

 

“Fair Market Value” means, when used in connection with the Common Stock on a certain date, the reported closing price of the Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq stock market (as published in The Wall Street Journal, if published) on such date, or if the Common Stock was not traded on such date then, 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, 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.

 

“Key Employee” means any person who is currently employed by the Bank or an Affiliate who is chosen by the Committee to participate in the Plan.

 

“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.

 

“Non-Employee Director” means, for purposes of the Plan, a Director who (a) is not employed by the Bank 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.

 

“Normal Retirement” means for a Key Employee retirement at or following attainment of the age of 65.

 

“Option” means an Award granted under Section 8 or Section 9.

 

“OTS” means the Office of Thrift Supervision.

 

“Outside Director” means a Director of the Bank or an Affiliate who is not an employee of the Bank or an Affiliate.

 

“Participant” means a Key Employee or Outside Director of the Bank or its Affiliates who receives or has received an Award under the Plan.

 

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“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 commission by the Executive of a criminal or other act (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) that, in the judgment of the Board, will likely cause substantial economic damage to the Bank or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Bank, or a final cease-and-desist order, any of which results in material loss to the Bank or one of its Affiliates.

 

3.Plan Administration Restrictions

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Plan and OTS regulations and policy, to establish such rules and regulations as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Plan and to make whatever determinations and interpretations in connection with the Plan it deems necessary or advisable. All determinations and interpretations made by the Committee shall be binding and conclusive on all Participants in the Plan and on their legal representatives and beneficiaries.

 

In the event the Plan becomes subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) all transactions involving a grant, Award or other acquisition from the Bank shall:

 

(a)          be approved by the Bank’s full Board or by the Committee; or

 

(b)          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 securities present, or represented and entitled to vote at a meeting duly held in accordance with the laws of the state in which the Bank 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 shareholders; or

 

(c)          result in the acquisition of an Option that is held by the Participant for a period of six months following the date of such acquisition.

 

4.Types of Awards

 

Awards under the Plan may be granted in any one or a combination of: (a) Incentive Stock Options; and (b) Non-Statutory Stock Options.

 

5.Stock Subject to the Plan

 

Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 15, the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan is 270,000 shares. Shares issued under the Plan may be issued by the Bank from authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares, or acquired by the Bank in open market purchases. To the extent that Options granted under the Plan are exercised, the shares covered will be unavailable for future grants under the Plan; to the extent that Options granted under the Plan terminate, expire or are forfeited without having been exercised, new Awards may be made with respect to these shares. In addition, any shares that are used for full or partial payment of the exercise price of any Option will be available for future grants under the Plan.

 

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6.Eligibility

 

Key Employees of the Bank and its Affiliates shall be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options and Non-Statutory Stock Options under the Plan. Outside Directors shall be eligible to receive Non-Statutory Stock Options under the Plan.

 

7.General Terms and Conditions of Options

 

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 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, 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, 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, and (iv) the restrictions, if any, to be placed upon such Option or upon shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon exercise of such Option.

 

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. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 15 of the Plan, the maximum number of shares subject to a Non-Statutory Option that may be awarded under the Plan to any Key Employee shall be 67,500, subject to OTS regulation and policy, as set forth in Section 7 above, to the extent applicable.

 

(a)          Option Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by a written option agreement between the Bank 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 not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock of the Bank 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 11 hereof, as determined b the Committee.

 

(c)          Vesting. Unless the Committee shall specifically state to the contrary at the time as Award is granted, Non-Statutory Stock Options awarded to Key Employees and Outside Directors shall vest at the rate of 20% of the initially awarded amount per year commencing with the vesting of the first installment one year from the Date of Grant, and succeeding installments no each anniversary of the Date of Grant. No Options shall become vested by a Participant unless the Participant maintains Continuous Service until the vesting date of such Option, except as set forth herein.

 

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(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 Bank, or his 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 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. 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, Outside Director, the length and value of his service to the Bank or an Affiliate, the compensation paid to the Key Employee or Outside Director, and the Committee’s evaluation of the performance of the Bank or an 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 granted to Outside Directors 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 Employment or Service. Upon the termination of a Key Employee's employment or upon termination of an Outside Director's service for any reason other than death, Disability, Change in Control or termination for Cause, the Participant’s Non-Statutory Stock Options shall be exercisable only as to those shares that were immediately purchasable on the date of termination and only for three (3) months 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 employment or service due to death, Disability or coincident with 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 legal representative or beneficiaries for one (1) 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 set forth in the written option agreement.

 

(h)          Transferability. No Non-Statutory Stock Option granted under the Plan is transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during his lifetime only by the Participant to which it is granted or the recipient under the domestic relations order.

 

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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 Bank 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 not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

 

(b)          Price. Subject to Section 15 of the Plan 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 Bank’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 Bank 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 Bank 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 shareholder, 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 Bank’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 Bank at the Fair Market Value of such shares determined on the exercise date.

 

(c)          Vesting. Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall vest in a Participant at the rate or rates determined by the Committee. Unless the Committee shall specifically state to the contrary at the time an Award is granted, Incentive Stock Options awarded to Key Employees shall vest at the rate of 20% of the initially awarded amount per year commencing with the vesting of the first installment one year from the Date of Grant, and succeeding installments on each anniversary of the Date of Grant.

 

(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 Bank, or his 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 Bank and its Affiliates) shall not exceed $100,000.

 

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In the event of a Change in Control of the Bank, 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 9 to the extent permitted).

 

(e)          Amounts of Awards. 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. Notwithstanding the above, and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan, the maximum number of shares that may be subject to an Incentive Stock Option awarded under the Plan to any Key Employee shall be 67,500. 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 or her service to the Bank, the Bank, or the Affiliate, the compensation paid to the Key Employee and the Committee’s evaluation of the performance of the Bank, the Bank, 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 Section 9(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 Bank 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 shareholder, 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 Employment. Upon the termination of a Key Employee's employment for any reason other than death, Disability, a Change in Control, or termination for Cause, the Key Employee's Incentive Stock Options shall be exercisable only as to those shares that were immediately purchasable by such Key Employee at the date of termination and only for a period of three (3) months following termination.

 

In the event of termination for Cause all rights under the Incentive Stock Options shall expire upon termination.

 

Upon termination of a Key Employee's employment due to death, Disability or following a

 

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Change in Control, all Incentive Stock Options held by such Key Employee, whether or not exercisable at such time, shall be exercisable for a period of one (1) year following the date of his cessation of employment, provided however, that any 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 the date of his Normal Retirement or termination of employment following a Change in Control; and provided further, 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 (3) months of termination of employment. In no event shall the exercise period extend beyond the expiration of the Incentive Stock Option term.

 

(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 lifetime only by the Key Employee to which it is granted or the recipient under the domestic relations order.

 

(i)          Compliance with Code. The options granted under this Section 9 are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but the Bank 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.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 or 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 Bank 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 exercise price per share of the Option. Whether the Bank 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 Bank is under no obligation to any Participant whatsoever to make such payments. In the event that the Bank 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.

 

11.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

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Bank 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 Bank 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 Bank 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 Bank.

 

(c)          Exchange of Common Stock. The Committee may permit payment of the Option exercise price by the 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 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.

 

12.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 Bank or its Affiliates or to continue to perform services for the Bank or its Affiliates or interferes in any way with the right of the Bank or its Affiliates to terminate his services as an officer, director or employee at any time.

 

13.Agreement with Participants

 

Each Award of Options will be evidenced by a written agreement, executed by the Participant and the Bank 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.

 

14.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 to which he would then be entitled. Such designation will be made upon forms supplied by and delivered to the Bank and may be revoked in writing. If a Participant fails effectively to designate a Beneficiary, then his estate will be deemed to be the Beneficiary.

 

15.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 shareholders, 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 Bank, the Committee shall 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:

 

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(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.

 

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.

 

16.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: (A) any such Substitute Options exchanged for Incentive Stock Options shall meet the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code, and (B) 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.

 

17.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.

 

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18.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 consent, under an outstanding Award.

 

19.Effective Date of Plan

 

The Plan shall become effective upon the date of approval of the Plan by the Bank’s stockholders.

 

20.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, as set forth in Section 5. 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 rights under a previously granted Award.

 

21.Applicable Law

 

The Plan will be administered in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

22.Other Required Provisions

 

If the Bank’s regulatory capital falls below minimum regulatory requirements as determined by the OTS or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, then the OTS or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation may direct the Bank to require that all Awards made under this Plan must either be exercised or forfeited.

 

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