Split-Dollar Agreement between The Middlefield Banking Company and Ronald L. Zimmerly, Jr

Exhibit 10.12

SPLIT-DOLLAR AGREEMENT

This SPLIT-DOLLAR AGREEMENT (this "Agreement made and entered into effective as of the 1'¹ day of October 2010, by and between Liberty National Bank, a federal bank headquartered in the state of Ohio (the "Bank") and Ronald Zimmerly, (the "Insured").

RECITALS:

A.         Insured is currently an employee and officer of the Bank and Bank desires to retain the services of the Insured for a considerable period.

B.         Bank desires 10 provide Insured with certain death benefits under a life insurance policy that the Bank has purchased on the life of Insured.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parries hereto, for and in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, intending 10 be legally bound hereby, do hereby agree as follows:

I.          This Agreement pertains to the life insurance policies (the "Policy") listed on Exhibit C, attached and made a part hereof.

2.          Ownership of Policy. The Bank shall own all of the right, title and interest in the Policy and shall control an rights of ownership with respect thereto. The Bank, in its sole discretion, may exercise its right to borrow against or withdraw the cash value of the Policy. In the event coverage under the Policy is increased, such increased coverage shall be subject to all of the rights, duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement.

3.         Designation of Beneficiary. Insured may designate one or more beneficiaries (on the Beneficiary Designation Form attached hereto as Exhibit A) to receive a portion of the death proceeds of the Policy payable pursuant hereto upon the death of the Insured subject to any right, title or interest the Bank may have in such proceeds as provided herein. In the event Insured fails to designate a beneficiary, any benefits payable pursuant hereto shall be paid to the estate of Insured.

4.          Maintenance of Policy. The Bank intends to maintain a policy for purposes of this agreement. The Bank shall make any required premium payments and take all other actions within the Bank's reasonable control in order to keep the Policy in full force and effect; provided, however, that the Bank may replace the Policy with a comparable policy or policies so long as Insured's beneficiaries will be entitled to receive an amount of death proceeds under Section 6 substantially equal to those that the beneficiaries would be entitled to if the original Policy were to remain in effect. If any such replacement is made, all references herein to the "Policy"shall thereafter be references to such replacement policy or policies. If the Policy contains any premium waiver provision, any such waived premiums shall be considered for the purposes of this Agreement as having been paid by the Bank. The Bank shall be under no obligation to set aside, earmark. or otherwise segregate any funds with which to pay its obligations under this Agreement, including. but not limited to, payment of Policy premiums.

5.         Reporting Requirements. The Bank will report on an annual basis to Insured the economic benefit attributable to this Agreement on IRS Form W-2 or its equivalent so that Insured can properly include said amount in his or her taxable income. Insured agrees to accurately report and pay all applicable taxes on such amounts of income reportable hereunder to Insured. Insured acknowledges and understands that no "group term life" or similar income tax exclusion applies to benefits provided hereunder.

6.          Policy Proceeds. Subject to Section 8, upon the death of Insured, the death proceeds of the Policy shall be divided in the following manner:

(a)           The Insured,s beneficiary(ies) designated in accordance with Section 3 shall be entitled to an amount equal to the Death Benefit (as defined in Exhibit B hereto).

(b)          The Bank shall be entitled to any death proceeds payable under the Policy remaining after payment to the Insured"s beneficiary(ies) under Section 6(a) above.

(c)         The Bank and Insured shall share in any interest due on the death proceeds of the Policy on a pro rata basis based upon the amount of proceeds due each patty divided by the total amount of proceeds,excluding any such interest.

7.          Cash Surrender Value of the Policy. The "Cash Surrender Value of the Policy" shall be equal to the cash value of the Policy at the time of the Insured's death or upon surrender of the Policy, as applicable, less (i) any policy or premium loans or withdrawals or any other indebtedness by the Policy, and any unpaid interest thereon, previously incurred or made by the Bank, and (ii) any applicable surrender charges, as determined by the Insurer or agent servicing the Policy.

8.          Termination of Agreement.

(a)          This Agreement shall terminate upon the first to occur of the _following:

  (i)         the distribution of the death benefit proceeds in accordance with Section 6 above; or

  (ii)        the termination of the Insured's employment for any reason (other than on account of the Insured's death).

(b)         Insured acknowledges and agrees that the termination of this Agreement pursuant to subsection (a)(ii) above prior to the death of Insured shall terminate any right of Insured to receive any death proceeds of the Policy under this Agreement, and such termination shall be without any liability of any nature to Bank.

9.         Assignment. Insured shall not make any assignment of Insured's rights title or interest in or to the death proceeds of the Policy whatsoever without the prior written consent of the Bank (which may be withheld for any reason or no reason in its sole and absolute discretion) and acknowledgment by the Insurer.

10.        Administration.

(a)       This Agreement shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Bank (the "Board").

(b)       As the administrator, the Board shall have the powers, duties and discretion to:

 (i)            Construe and interpret the provisions of this Agreement;

 (ii)            Adopt. amend or revoke rules and regulations for the administration of this Agreement, provided they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement;

 (iii)          Provide appropriate parties with such returns, reports, descriptions and statements as may be required by law, within the times prescribed by law and to make them available to the Insured (or the Insured's beneficiary) when required by law;

 (iv)           Take such other action as may be reasonably required to administer this Agreement in accordance with its terms or as may be required by law;

 (v)           Withhold applicable taxes and file with the Internal Revenue Service appropriate information returns with respect to any payments and/or benefits provided hereunder;

 (vi)           Appoint and retain such persons as may be necessary to carry out jts duties as administrator.

(c)     The Bank shall serve as the Named Fiduciary with respect to this Agreement. The Named Fiduciary shall be responsible for the management, control and administration of the Policy's death proceeds. The Named Fiduciary may, in its reasonable discretion, delegate certain aspects of its management and administrative responsibilities. If the Named Fiduciary has a claim which it believes may be covered under the Policy, it will contact the Insurer in order to complete a claim form and determine what other steps need to be taken. The Insurer will evaluate and make a decision as to payment. If the claim is eligible for payment under the Policy, a check will be issued to the Named Fiduciary. If the Insurer determines that a claim is not eligible for payment under the Policy, the Named Fiduciary may, in its sole discretion, contest such claim denial by contacting the Insurer in writing.

11.        Claims Procedures.

(a)          For purposes of these claims procedures, the Board shall serve as the "Claims Administrator."

(b)        If the Executive or any beneficiary of the executive should have a claim for benefits hereunder, he or she shall file such claim by notifying the Claims Administrator in writing. The Claims Administrator sha11 make all determinations as to the right of any person or persons to a benefit hereunder. Benefit claims shall be made by the Executive, his beneficiary or beneficiaries or a duly authorized representative thereof (the '"claimant").

 If the claim is wholly or partially denied, the Claims Administrator shall provide written or electronic notice thereof to the claimant within a reasonable period of time, but not later than ninety (90) days after receipt of the claim. An extension of time for processing the claim for benefits is allowable if special circumstances require an extension, but such an extension shall not extend beyond one hundred eighty (180) days from the date the claim for benefits is received by the Claims Administrator. Written notice of any extension of time shall be delivered or mailed within ninety (90) days after receipt of the claim and shall include an explanation of the special circumstances requiring the extension and the date by which the Claims Administrator expects to render the final decision.

The notice of adverse benefit determination shall (i) specify the reason fur the denial(ii) reference the provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based;(iii) describe the additional material or information, if any, necessary for the claimant to receive benefits and explain why such information is necessary(iv) indicate the steps to be taken by the claimant if a review of the denial is desired, including the time limits applicable thereto; and (v) contain a statement of the claimant's right to bring a civil action under ERISA in the event of an adverse determination on review.

 If notice of the adverse benefit determination is not furnished in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Section, the claim shall be deemed denied and the claimant shall be permitted to exercise his right to review as set forth below.

(c)        If a claim is denied and a review is desired, the claimant shall notify the Claims Administrator in writing within sixty (60) days after receipt of written notice of a denial of a claim. In requesting a review, the claimant may submit any written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the claim, the claimant feels arc appropriate. The claimant shall, upon request and free of charge, be provided reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information "relevant" to the claimant's claim for benefits. The Claims Administrator shall review the claim taking into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the claimant, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

The Claims Administrator shall provide the claimant with written or electronic notification of the benefit determination upon review. In the event of an adverse benefit determination on review, the notice thereof shall (i) specify the reason or reasons for the adverse determination; (ii) reference the specific provisions of this Agreement on which the benefit determination is based; (iii) contain a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of all do records and other information "relevant" to the claimant's claim for benefits; and (iv) inform the claimant of the right to bring a civil action under the provisions of ERISA.

For purposes hereof, documents, records and information shall be considered "relevant" to the claimant's claim if it (i) was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (ii) was submitted, considered, or generated in the course of making the benefit determination, whether or not actually relied upon in making the determination; or (iii) demonstrates compliance with the administrative processes and safeguards of this claims procedure.

(d)         After exhaustion of the claims procedure as provided herein, nothing shall prevent the claimant from pursuing any other legal or equitable remedy otherwise available, including the right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA, if applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no legal action may be commenced or maintained against the Bank, the Board, any member of the Board or the Claims Administrator more than ninety (90) days after the claimant has exhausted the administrative remedies set forth in this Section 11.

12.      Confidentiality. Insured agrees that the terns and conditions of this Agreement, except as such may be disclosed in financial statements and tax returns, or in connection with estate planning, are and shall forever remain confidential, and Insured agrees that he shall not reveal the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement at any time to any person or entity, other than his financial and professional advisors unless required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction.

13.      Other Agreements. The benefits provided for herein for Insured are supplemental life insurance benefits and shall not be deemed to modify, affect or limit any salary or salary increases, bonuses, profit sharing or any other type of compensation of Insured in any manner whatsoever. No provision contained in this Agreement shall in any way affect, restrict or limit any existing employment agreement between the Bank and Insured, nor shall any provision or condition contained in this Agreement create specific rights of Insured or limit the right of the Bank to discharge Insured with or without cause. Except as otherwise provided therein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall affect the right of Insured to participate in or be covered by or under any qualified or non-qualified pension, profit sharing, group, bonus or other supplemental compensation, retirement or fringe benefit plan constituting any part of the Bank's compensation structure whether now or hereinafter existing.

14.        Withholding. Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereof, the Bank may withhold from any payment \0 be made hereunder such amount as it may be required to withhold under any applicable federal, state or other law, and transmit such withheld amounts to the applicable taxing authority.

15.         Miscellaneous Provisions.

(a)         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts. F..ach counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile transmission of an executed counterpart.

(b)          Survival. The provisions of Sections 12 and 1S of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement indefinitely, regardless of the cause of, or reason for, such termination.

(c)         Construction. As used in this Agreement, the neuter gender shall include the masculine and the feminine, the masculine and feminine genders shall be interchangeable among themselves and each with the neuter, the singular numbers shall include the plural, and the plural the singular. The term "person.. shall include all persons and entities of every nature whatsoever, including, but not limited to, individuals, corporations, partnerships, governmental entities and associations. The terms "including," "included," "such as" and terms of similar import shall not imply the exclusion of other items not specifically enumerated.

(d)       Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable or inconsistent with any present or future law, ruling.rule or regulation of any court, governmental or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the subject matter of this Agreement, such provision shall be rescinded or modified in accordance with such law, ruling, rule or regulation and the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such provision to the person or circumstances other than those as to which it is held inconsistent shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

(e)          Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to its conflicts of law principles, except to the extent superseded by the Federal laws of the United States of America.

(f)         Binding Effect. This Agreement is binding upon the parties, their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs and legal representatives. Without limiting the foregoing, the terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon Insured's estate, administrators, personal representatives and heirs. This Agreement may be assigned by Bank to any party to which Bank assigns or transfers the Policy. This Agreement has been approved by the Bank's Board of Directors and the Bank agrees to maintain an executed counterpart of this Agreement in a safe place as an official record of the Bank.

(g)         No Trust. Nothing contained in this Agreement and no action taken pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Bank and the Insured, Insured's designated beneficiary or any other person.

(h)         Assignment of Rights. None of the payments provided for by this Agreement shall be subject to seizure for payment of any debts or judgments against the Insured or any beneficiary; nor shall the Insured or any beneficiary have any right to transfer, modify, anticipate or encumber any rights or benefits hereunder; provided, however, that the undistributed portion of any benefit payable hereunder shall at all times be subject to set--off for debts owed by Insured to Bank.

(i)         Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with its Exhibits, which are incorporated herein by reference) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supercedes all prior or contemporaneous negotiations, agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.

(j)          Notice. Any notice to be delivered to the Bank under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered by hand, or by first class, certified or registered mail at the address below:

Director of Human Resources

Liberty National Bank

118 South Main Street

Ada, OH 45810

  Any notice to be delivered to the Insured under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered by hand, or by first class, certified or registered mail at the last known address of the Insu d.

(k)         Non-waiver. No delay or failure by either party to exercise any right under this Agreement, and no partial or single exercise of that right, shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right.

(l)          Headings. Headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used to interpret or construe its provisions.

(m)     Amendment. No amendments or additions to this Agreement shall be binding Wlless in writing and signed by all parties. No waiver of any provision contained in this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom such waiver is asserted. Notwithstanding the foregoing. the Bank may amend, modify or terminate this Agreement (and may do so retroactively) without the consent and or approval of the Insured or any beneficiary of the Insured if such amendment, modification or termination is necessary to ensure compliance with Code Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or in order to avoid the application of any penalties that may be imposed upon the Insured and any beneficiary of the Insured pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 409A.

(n)         Seal. The parties hereto intend this Agreement to have the effect of an agreement executed under the seal of each.

(o)         Purpose. The primary purpose of this Agreement is to provide certain death benefits to the Insured as a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees of the Bank.

(p)       Compliance with the AJCA. Code Section 409A, as added by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (AJCA), substantially revised the requirements applicable to certain deferred compensation arrangements. If Code Section 409A is found to be applicable, this Agreement is intended to comply, and to be operated and administered in all respects in compliance, with the requirements of Code Section 409A and all Internal Revenue Service rulings, treasury regulations or other pronouncements or guidance implementing or interpreting its provisions.

(Signature Page Follows)

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year set forth above.

	BANK:

EXHIBIT A

BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FORM

SPLIT-DOLLAR AGREEMENT

Pursuant to Section  3 of the Split-Dollar  Agreement  (the "Agreement"), I, Ronald  Zimmerly, hereby designate the beneficiary(ies)  listed below to receive any  benefits  under the Agreement that  may  be due  upon  my  death. This  designation  shall   replace  and   revoke   any   prior designation of beneficiary(ies) made by me under  the Agreement.

Full Name(s), Address(es) and Social Security Number(s) of Primary Beneficiary(ies)*:

*If  more  than  one  beneficiary  is  named  above,  the  beneficiaries  will  share  equally  in any benefits, unless you have otherwise  provided above. Further, if you have named more than one beneficiary  and  one or more  of  the  beneficiaries  is deceased  at  the time  of  your  death, any remaining beneficiary(ies) will share equally,  unless you have provided otherwise above. If no primary beneficiary survives you, then the contingent beneficiary designated  below will receive any benefits due upon your death.   In the event you have no designated  beneficiary  upon your death, any benefits due will be paid to your estate. In the event that you are naming a beneficiary that is not a person, please provide pertinent infonna1ion regarding the designation.

Full Name, Address and Social Security Number of Contingent Beneficiary:

Date	Ronald Zimmerly

 

_ACCEPTED:

 

Liberty National Bank

 

By
Its
Date

 

10

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