Parke Bancorp, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan
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EX-10.1 3 parkebancorpinc2020equityi.htm EXHIBIT 10.1 Exhibit
PARKE BANCORP, INC.
2020 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE 1 – GENERAL
Section 1.1 Purpose, Effective Date and Term. The purpose of the Parke Bancorp, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to promote the long-term financial success of Parke Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), and any of its Subsidiaries or future parent or subsidiary corporations, by providing a means to attract, retain, incent and reward individuals who contribute to such success and to further align their interests with those of the Company’s shareholders through the ownership of common stock of the Company. The Plan also provides Eligible Participants with an opportunity to increase their ownership interest in the Company as an additional retention incentive. The “Effective Date” of the Plan shall be the date the Plan satisfies the applicable shareholder approval requirements. The Plan shall remain in effect as long as any Awards are outstanding; provided, however, that no Awards may be granted under the Plan after the day immediately prior to the ten-year anniversary of the Effective Date.
Section 1.2 Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”), in accordance with Section 5.1.
Section 1.3 Participation. Employees, Directors and Advisory Directors of the Company or any Subsidiary or future parent or subsidiary corporations of the Company shall be eligible to receive Awards in accordance with the terms of the Plan (“Eligible Participants”).
Section 1.4 Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Plan are defined in Article 8 and elsewhere in this Plan.
ARTICLE 2 – AWARDS
Section 2.1 General. Any Award under the Plan may be granted singularly or in combination with another Award (or Awards). Each Award under the Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and such additional terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions as the Committee shall provide with respect to such Award and as evidenced in the Award Agreement. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.7, an Award may be granted as an alternative to or replacement of an existing Award under the Plan or any other plan of the Company or any Subsidiary or as the form of payment for grants or rights earned or due under any other compensation plan or arrangement of the Company or its Subsidiaries, including without limitation the plan of any entity acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary. The types of Awards that may be granted under the Plan to Eligible Participants include:
(a) Stock Options. A Stock Option means a grant under Section 2.2 that represents the right to purchase shares of Stock at an Exercise Price established by the Committee. Any Stock Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option (an “ISO”) that is intended to satisfy the requirements applicable to an “Incentive Stock Option” described in Code Section 422(b), or a Non-Qualified Stock Option (a “Non-Qualified Stock Option”) that is not intended to be an ISO; provided, however, that no ISOs may be granted: (i) after the day immediately prior to the ten‑year anniversary of the Effective Date; or (ii) to Eligible Participants who are not Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary at the time of such Award grant. Unless otherwise specifically provided by its terms, any Stock Option granted to an Employee under this Plan shall be an ISO to the maximum extent permitted. Any ISO granted under this Plan that does not qualify as an ISO for any reason (whether at the time of grant or as the result of a subsequent event) shall be deemed to
be a Non-Qualified Stock Option. In addition, any ISO granted under this Plan may be unilaterally modified by the Committee to disqualify such Stock Option from ISO treatment such that it shall become a Non-Qualified Stock Option; provided, however, that any such modification shall be ineffective if it causes the Award to be subject to Code Section 409A (unless, as modified, the Award complies with Code Section 409A).
(b) Restricted Stock Award. Restricted Stock Award means a grant of shares of Stock under Section 2.3 for no payment of consideration or such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan, subject to a vesting schedule, the satisfaction of performance conditions or other terms of the Award.
Section 2.2 Stock Options.
(a) Grant of Stock Options. Each Stock Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall: (i) specify the number of Stock Options covered by the Award; (ii) specify the date of grant of the Stock Option; (iii) detail the Exercise Price of such Stock Options; (iv) specify the vesting period or conditions to vesting; and (iv) contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan, including the effect of termination of a Participant’s employment or Service with the Company as the Committee may, in its discretion, prescribe.
(b) Terms and Conditions. A Stock Option shall be exercisable in accordance with such terms and conditions and during such periods as may be established by the Committee. In no event, however, shall a Stock Option expire later than ten (10) years after the date of its grant (or five years with respect to ISOs granted to an Employee who is a 10% Shareholder). The “Exercise Price” of each Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant (or, if greater, the par value of a share of Stock); provided, however, that the Exercise Price of an ISO shall not be less than 110% of Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant if granted to a 10% Shareholder; provided further, that the Exercise Price may be higher or lower in the case of Stock Options exchanged in replacement of existing Awards held by an Employee, Director, Advisory Director or other service provider to an acquired entity.
(c) Method of Exercise. Subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, a Participant may exercise any Stock Option, to the extent such Stock Option is vested, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company, provided, however, that in no event shall a Stock Option be exercisable for a fractional share. The date of exercise of a Stock Option shall be the later of: (i) the date on which the Company receives such written notice; and (ii) the date on which the Participant pays the applicable Exercise Price pursuant to this Section 2.2(c). The payment of the Exercise Price upon the exercise of a Stock Option shall be by cash or, subject to limitations imposed by applicable law, by such other means as the Committee may from time to time permit, including: (i) by tendering, either actually or constructively by attestation, shares of Stock otherwise owned by the Stock Option holder valued at Fair Market Value as of the day of exercise; (ii) by irrevocably authorizing a third party, acceptable to the Committee, to sell shares of Stock (or a sufficient portion of the shares) acquired upon exercise of the Stock Option and to remit to the Company a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the entire Exercise Price and any tax withholding resulting from such exercise; (iii) other than in the case of Stock Options granted as ISOs, by a net settlement of the Stock Option, using a portion of the shares of Stock obtained on exercise in payment of the Exercise Price of the Stock Option (and if applicable, any required tax withholding, to the extent permitted under the Plan); (iv) by personal, certified or cashier's check; or (v) by any combination thereof. The total number of shares of Stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share, with cash-in-lieu paid by the Company, at its discretion, for the value of any fractional share.
(c) Other Limitations Applicable to ISO Awards. To the extent the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of Stock with respect to which ISO Options are exercisable for the first time by an Employee during any calendar year, under the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Company or any Subsidiary, exceeds $100,000, or such higher value as may be permitted under Code Section 422, such ISO Options in excess of the $100,000 limit shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the grant date for each ISO.
(d) Prohibition of Cash Buy-Outs of Underwater Stock Options. Under no circumstances will any Stock Options which were granted under the Plan be bought back by the Company at a time when the Exercise Price of such Stock Options is greater than the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of the purchase transaction without shareholder approval of such transaction.
Section 2.3 Restricted Stock Awards.
(a) Grant of Restricted Stock Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall: (i) specify the number of shares of Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Award; (ii) specify the date of grant of the Restricted Stock Award; (iii) specify the vesting period; and (iv) contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan, including the effect of termination of a Participant’s employment or Service with the Company, as the Committee may, in its discretion, prescribe. All Restricted Stock Awards shall be in the form of issued and outstanding shares of Stock that, at the discretion of the Committee, shall be either: (x) registered in the name of the Participant and held by the Company or on behalf of the Company, together with a stock power executed by the Participant in favor of the Company, pending the vesting or forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Award; or (y) registered in the name of, and delivered to, the Participant. In any event, the certificates evidencing the Restricted Stock Award shall at all times prior to the applicable vesting date bear the following legend:
The Stock evidenced hereby is subject to the terms of an Award Agreement with Parke Bancorp, Inc. dated [Date], made pursuant to the terms of the Parke Bancorp, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, copies of which are on file at the executive offices of Parke Bancorp, Inc., and may not be sold, encumbered, hypothecated or otherwise transferred except in accordance with the terms of such Plan and Award Agreement, or such other restrictive legend as the Committee, in its discretion, may specify.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may in its sole discretion issue a Restricted Stock Award in any other approved format (e.g., electronically) in order to facilitate the paperless transfer of such Awards. In the event a Restricted Stock Award is not issued in certificate form, the Company and the transfer agent shall maintain appropriate bookkeeping entries that evidence Participants’ ownership of such Awards. A Restricted Stock Award that is not issued in certificate form shall be subject to the same terms and conditions of the Plan as certificated shares, including the restrictions on transferability and the provision of a stock power executed by the Participant in favor of the Company, until the satisfaction of the conditions to which the Restricted Stock Award is subject. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Committee shall distribute to a Participant the Stock vested in accordance with a Restricted Stock Award, or portion thereof, within thirty days following the date of such vesting.
(b) Terms and Conditions. Each Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i) Dividends. Unless the Committee determines otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock Award and specifies such determination in the relevant Award Agreement, any cash dividends or distributions declared and paid with respect to shares of Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Award shall not be credited, earned, accrued or distributed to the Participant by the Company in advance of the date that such Award, or portion thereof, shall be deemed earned and non-forfeitable. Any stock dividends, stock splits or other adjustments declared on shares of Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be credited and attributed on such Stock and shall vest at the same time as the shares of Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Award from which said stock dividends, stock splits or other adjustments were derived.
(ii) Voting Rights. Unless the Committee determines otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock Award and specifies such determination in the relevant Award Agreement, voting rights applicable to the shares of Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Award shall not be exercised by the Participant prior to the date that such Restricted Stock Award is deemed earned and non-forfeitable. Such voting rights related to such Stock associated with an unearned Restricted Stock Award shall be exercisable by the Committee.
(iii) Tender Offers and Merger Elections. Each Participant to whom a Restricted Stock Award is granted shall have the right to respond, or to direct the response, with respect to the related shares of Restricted Stock, to any tender offer, exchange offer, cash/stock merger consideration election or other offer made to, or elections made by, the holders of shares of Restricted Stock. Such a direction for any such shares of Stock shall be given by proxy or ballot (if the Participant is the beneficial owner of the shares of Restricted Stock for voting purposes) or by completing and filing, with the inspector of elections, the trustee or such other person who shall be independent of the Company as the Committee shall designate in the direction (if the Participant is not such a beneficial owner), a written direction in the form and manner prescribed by the Committee. If no such direction is given, then the shares of Restricted Stock shall not be tendered.
(iv) Other Matters. The conditions for granting or vesting and the other provisions of Restricted Stock Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.
Section 2.4 Performance-Based Compensation.
(a) Upon the grant of an Award, the Committee may establish the performance targets, if any, which must be met before such Awards may begin to become first earned and non-forfeitable or exercisable. Such performance targets may be expressed as a minimum threshold level and an optimum level, and each level of performance attainment may yield a specified number of Stock Options and/or Restricted Stock Awards. The terms and conditions of any Award, including any performance targets, if any, for each Participant shall be detailed in an Award Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, if such performance targets are not attained by the ending date of the performance period as specified in the applicable Award Agreement, then such Award shall be forfeited. Once such performance targets are attained, as certified by the Committee, such Award shall be deemed first earned and non-forfeitable. Such performance targets may consist of Company financial metrics, peer group rankings based upon financial metrics, or such other criteria that may be established by the Committee as of the date of grant, except as otherwise modified thereafter by the Committee as permitted herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall have the authority to adjust or modify performance measures with respect to Awards, including the authority to determine that Awards shall be earned without regard to whether such performance measures previously established have been satisfied and/or to authorize the implementation of a new performance period and performance measures and the re-issuance of previously forfeited awards under the new program.
(b) The Committee shall have sole discretion in determining how performance measures are calculated. If the Committee determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Company or the manner in which the Company or its Subsidiary conducts its business or other events or circumstances render current performance measures to be unsuitable, the Committee may modify such performance measures, in whole or in part, as the Committee deems appropriate. The Committee shall certify in writing that any performance goals or other material terms applicable to an Award were in fact satisfied, or modified or waived, prior to such Award first becoming earned and non-forfeitable or exercisable.
Section 2.5 Vesting of Awards.
(a) The Committee shall specify the vesting schedule and other conditions of each Award. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee at the date of grant and set forth in an Award Agreement between the Company and the Participant, Awards shall be granted with a vesting rate equal to 20% per year, with the first installment vesting on the one year anniversary of the date of grant, and succeeding installments vesting on each annual anniversary thereafter during periods of continued service by the Award recipient until such Award is fully earned; provided, however, in no event will the specified vesting period be less than one year from the date of grant. If the right to become vested in an Award under the Plan (including the right to exercise a Stock Option) is conditioned on the completion of a specified period of Service with the Company or its Subsidiaries, without achievement of performance measures or other performance objectives being required as a condition of vesting, and without it being granted in lieu of, or in exchange for, other compensation, then the required period of Service for full vesting shall be determined by the Committee and evidenced in the Award Agreement (subject to acceleration of vesting, to the extent permitted by the Committee, including in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or Retirement or upon a Change in Control). Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, Service as a director emeritus, advisory director or consultant shall constitute continued Service for purposes of vesting.
(b) Notwithstanding the limitations set forth at Section 2.5(a), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine that all Stock Options granted or then held by a Participant shall become fully exercisable (subject to the expiration provisions otherwise applicable to the Stock Option) and all Restricted Stock Awards shall be fully earned and vested immediately as permitted, each as provided in accordance with Sections 2.8 and Article 4 hereof.
Section 2.6 Deferred Compensation. If any Award would be considered “deferred compensation” as defined under Code Section 409A (“Deferred Compensation”), the Committee reserves the absolute right to unilaterally amend the Plan or the Award Agreement, without the consent of the Participant, to maintain exemption from, or to comply with, Code Section 409A. Any amendment by the Committee to the Plan or an Award Agreement pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall maintain, to the extent practicable, the original intent of the applicable provision without violating Code Section 409A. A Participant’s acceptance of any Award under the Plan constitutes acknowledgement and consent to such rights of the Committee, without further consideration or action. Any discretionary authority retained by the Committee pursuant to the terms of this Plan or pursuant to an Award Agreement shall not be applicable to an Award which is determined to constitute Deferred Compensation, if such discretionary authority would contravene Code Section 409A.
Section 2.7 Prohibition Against Option Repricing. Except for adjustments pursuant to Section 3.3, and reductions of the Exercise Price approved by the Company’s shareholders, neither the Committee nor the Board shall have the right or authority to make any adjustment or amendment that reduces
or would have the effect of reducing the Exercise Price of a Stock Option previously granted under the Plan, whether through amendment, cancellation (including cancellation in exchange for a cash payment in excess of the Stock Option’s in-the-money value or in exchange for Stock Options or other Awards) or replacement grants, or by other means.
Section 2.8. Effect of Termination of Service on Awards. The Committee shall establish the effect of a Termination of Service on the continuation of rights and benefits available under an Award or the Plan and, in so doing, may make distinctions based upon, among other things, the reason for Termination of Service and type of Award. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement between the Company and the Participant, the following provisions shall apply to each Award granted under this Plan:
(a) Upon a Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason other than due to Disability, death, Retirement or Termination for Cause, Stock Options shall be exercisable only as to those shares that were immediately exercisable by such Participant at the date of Termination of Service, and Stock Options may be exercised only for a period of three (3) months following Termination of Service and any Restricted Stock Award that has not vested as of the date of Termination of Service shall expire and be forfeited.
(b) In the event of a Termination of Service for Cause, all Stock Options granted to a Participant that have not been exercised and all Restricted Stock Awards granted to a Participant that have not vested as of such date of Termination of Service for Cause shall expire and be forfeited.
(c) Upon Termination of Service for reasons of Disability or death or, to the extent permitted by the Committee, Retirement, (i) all Stock Options shall be exercisable as to all shares of Stock subject to an outstanding Award, whether or not then exercisable, and (ii) all Restricted Stock Awards which have not yet become earned and non-forfeitable, shall, in each case, be deemed earned and non-forfeitable, as if the Participant had Terminated Service as of the date of the next vesting event applicable to each outstanding Award. Stock Options which are or become exercisable may be exercised for a period of one year following Termination of Service due to death, Disability or Retirement; provided, however, that no Stock Option shall be eligible for treatment as an ISO in the event such Stock Option is exercised more than three months following Termination of Service due to Retirement, and provided, further, in order to obtain ISO treatment for Stock Options exercised by heirs or devisees of the Participant, the Participant’s death must have occurred while employed or within three months of Termination of Service.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Stock Option shall be exercisable beyond the last day of the original term of such Stock Option.
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 2.8, the effect of a Change in Control on the vesting and exercisability of Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards is as set forth in Article 4.
ARTICLE 3 - SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN
Section 3.1 Available Shares. The shares of Stock with respect to which Awards may be made under the Plan shall be from authorized but unissued shares of Stock, Stock currently held as treasury shares or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Stock subsequently acquired by the Company as treasury shares, including shares of Stock purchased in the open market or in private transactions.
Section 3.2 Share Limitations.
(a) Share Reserve. Subject to the following provisions of this Section 3.2, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered to Participants and their beneficiaries under the Plan shall be equal to Nine Hundred and Ninety Thousand (990,000) shares of Stock in the aggregate. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered pursuant to the exercise of Stock Options (all of which may be granted as ISOs, Non-Qualified Stock Options or a combination of each) is Nine Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand (935,000) shares of Stock. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be issued as Restricted Stock Awards is Fifty-Five Thousand (55,000) shares of Stock. The aggregate number of shares of Stock available for grant under this Plan and the number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Awards shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3.3. Upon the Effective Date of the Plan, the Company will not make any additional grants of Stock Options or Restricted Stock under the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, but prior outstanding Awards will continue to vest and be exercisable.
(b) Limitations on Awards.
(i) Total shares of Stock issuable to Outside Directors under the Plan shall not exceed 40% of the total shares of Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan in the aggregate (i.e., 396,000 shares). The maximum number of shares of Stock issuable to any single Outside Director related to the award of Non-Qualified Stock Options may not exceed 55,000 shares under the Plan in the aggregate, and an Outside Director may not be granted under the Plan in any calendar year Non-Qualified Stock Options to acquire more than 22,500 shares.
(ii) Total shares of Stock issuable to Employees under the Plan shall not exceed 54.5% of total shares of Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan in the aggregate (i.e., 539,000 shares). The maximum number of shares of Stock related to the award of Stock Options (all of which may be granted as ISOs, Non-Qualified Stock Options or a combination of each) issuable to any single Employee may not exceed 55,000 shares under the Plan in the aggregate. An Employee may not be granted under the Plan in any calendar year Stock Options to acquire more than 22,500 shares.
(iii) Total shares of Stock issuable to Advisory Directors may not exceed 5.5% of the total shares of Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan in the aggregate (i.e., 55,000 shares). An Advisory Director may not be granted under the Plan in any calendar year more than 5,000 shares of Restricted Stock.
(c) Computation of Shares Available. For purposes of this Section 3.2, and in connection with the granting of Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards, the number of shares of Stock available for the granting of additional Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards shall be reduced by the number of shares of Stock issued with respect to such Awards. To the extent any shares of Stock covered by an Award (including Restricted Stock Awards) under the Plan are not delivered to a Participant or beneficiary for any reason, including because the Award is forfeited or canceled or because a Stock Option is not exercised prior to its expiration, then such shares shall not be deemed to have been delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan. To the extent (i) a Stock Option is exercised by using an actual or constructive exchange of shares of Stock to pay the Exercise Price, (ii) shares of Stock are withheld to satisfy withholding taxes upon exercise or vesting of an Award granted hereunder, or (iii) shares are withheld to satisfy the exercise price of Stock Options in a net settlement of Stock Options, then the number of shares of Stock available shall be reduced by the gross number of Stock Options exercised or Awards earned, rather than by the net number of shares of Stock issued.
Section 3.3 Corporate Transactions.
(a) General. In the event any recapitalization, forward or reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of shares of Stock or other securities, stock dividend or other special and nonrecurring dividend or distribution (whether in the form of cash, securities or other property), liquidation, dissolution, or other similar corporate transaction or event, affects the shares of Stock such that an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants under the Plan and/or under any Award granted under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in an equitable manner, adjust any or all of (i) the number and kind of securities deemed to be available thereafter for grants of Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards in the aggregate to all Participants and individually to any one Participant, (ii) the number and kind of securities that may be delivered or deliverable in respect of outstanding Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards, and (iii) the Exercise Price of Stock Options. In addition, the Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards (including, without limitation, cancellation of Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards in exchange for the in-the-money value, if any, of the vested portion thereof, or substitution or exchange of Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards using stock of a successor or other entity) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in the preceding sentence) affecting the Company or any parent or Subsidiary, or the financial statements of the Company or any parent or Subsidiary, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles.
(b) Merger in which the Company is Not Surviving Entity. In the event of any merger, consolidation, or other business reorganization (including, but not limited to, a Change in Control) in which the Company is not the surviving entity, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at any time at or after grant and prior to the consummation of such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization, any Stock Options granted under the Plan which remain outstanding shall be converted into Stock Options to purchase voting common equity securities of the business entity which survives such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization having substantially the same terms and conditions as the outstanding Stock Options under this Plan and reflecting the same economic benefit (as measured by the difference between the aggregate Exercise Price and the value exchanged for outstanding shares of Stock in such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization), all as determined by the Committee prior to the consummation of such merger; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, at any time prior to the consummation of such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization, direct that all, but not less than all, outstanding Stock Options be canceled as of the effective date of such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization in exchange for a cash payment per share of Stock equal to the excess (if any) of the value exchanged for an outstanding share of Stock in such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization over the Exercise Price of the Stock Option being canceled; provided, further, that in the event the Exercise Price of outstanding Stock Options exceed the value to be exchanged for an outstanding share of Stock (an “Underwater Stock Option”) in such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization, the Committee may, in its discretion, cancel and terminate such Underwater Stock Options without the consent of the holder of the Stock Option and without any payment to such holder.
Section 3.4 Delivery of Shares. Delivery of shares of Stock or other amounts under the Plan shall be subject to the following:
(a) Compliance with Applicable Laws. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver any shares of Stock or make any other distribution of benefits under the Plan unless such delivery or distribution complies with all applicable laws (including, the requirements of the Securities Act), and the applicable requirements of any Exchange or similar entity.
(b) Certificates. To the extent that the Plan provides for the issuance of shares of Stock, the issuance may be effected on a non-certificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by the Company's governance documents, applicable law or the applicable rules of any Exchange.
(c) Award Payouts. Awards may be paid out in the form of cash, shares of Stock, or combinations thereof as the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion, and with such restrictions as it may impose. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine that upon the exercise of a Stock Option, make a cash payment to the Participant, in whole or in part, in lieu of the delivery of shares of Stock. Such cash payment to be paid in lieu of delivery of shares of Stock shall be equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock on the date of the Stock Option exercise and the Exercise Price per share of the Stock Option multiplied by the number of shares of Stock subject to such Stock Option to be cashed-out. Such cash payment shall be in exchange for the cancellation of such Stock Option. Such cash payment shall not be made in the event that such transaction would result in liability to the Participant or the Company under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and regulations promulgated thereunder, or subject the Participant to additional tax liabilities related to such cash payments pursuant to Code Section 409A. The Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine that upon a Change in Control of the Company each outstanding Stock Option shall be cancelled in exchange for a cash payment equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock on the date of the Stock Option cancellation and the Exercise Price per share of the Stock Option multiplied by the number of shares of Stock subject to such Stock Option.
(d) Other Matters. In no event shall any shares newly-issued by the Company be issued for less than the minimum lawful consideration for such shares or for consideration other than consideration permitted by applicable state law. In the event that the Committee allows a Participant to exercise a Stock Option by delivering shares of Stock previously owned by such Participant, any such shares delivered which were initially acquired by the Participant from the Company (upon exercise of a stock option or otherwise) must have been owned by the Participant for at least six months prior to such date of delivery, except in the case of the net settlement of Stock Options. Shares of Stock used to satisfy the Exercise Price of a Stock Option shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Stock unless and until it receives full payment of the Exercise Price and any related tax withholding obligations have been satisfied, or until any other conditions applicable to exercise or purchase have been satisfied. No Participant shall have any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company until shares of Stock are issued upon the exercise of such Stock Options or the delivery of shares following the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award, except as otherwise provided herein. Unless expressly provided otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement, the Committee may at any time within its sole discretion eliminate or limit a Participant’s ability to pay the purchase or Exercise Price of any Award by any method other than a cash payment to the Company.
ARTICLE 4 - CHANGE IN CONTROL
Section 4.1 Consequence of a Change in Control. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3 (relating to the adjustment of shares), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan or as determined by the Committee and set forth in the terms of any Award Agreement:
(a) Upon a Change in Control, all Stock Options then held by the Participant shall become fully earned and exercisable (subject to the expiration provisions otherwise applicable to the Stock Option).
(b) Upon a Change in Control, all Restricted Stock Awards described in Section 2.1(b) shall become fully earned and vested immediately.
(c) In the event of a Change in Control, any performance measure or condition applicable to an Award under the Plan shall be deemed satisfied as of the date of the Change in Control.
Section 4.2 Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred upon the earliest to occur of the following:
(a) Merger. The Company merges into or consolidates with another entity, or merges another bank or corporation into the Company, and as a result, less than a majority of the combined voting power of the resulting corporation immediately after the merger or consolidation is held by persons who were shareholders of the Company immediately before the merger or consolidation;
(b) Acquisition of Significant Share Ownership. A person or persons acting in concert has or have become the beneficial owner of 25% or more of a class of the Company’s Voting Securities; provided, however, this clause (b) shall not apply to beneficial ownership of the Company’s voting shares held in a fiduciary capacity by an entity of which the Company directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of its outstanding Voting Securities;
(c) Change in Board Composition. During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who constitute the Company’s Board of Directors at the beginning of the two-year period cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors; provided, however, that for purposes of this clause (c), each director who is first elected by the board (or first nominated by the board for election by the shareholders) by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors who were directors at the beginning of the two-year period shall be deemed to have also been a director at the beginning of such period; or
(d) Sale of Assets. The Company sells to a third party all or substantially all of its assets.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that an Award constitutes Deferred Compensation, and the settlement of, or distribution of benefits under, such Award is to be triggered solely by a Change in Control, then with respect to such Award, a Change in Control shall be defined as required under Code Section 409A, as in effect at the time of such transaction.
ARTICLE 5 – COMMITTEE
Section 5.1 Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or the members of the Compensation Committee of the Company who are Disinterested Board Members. If the Committee consists of fewer than three Disinterested Board Members, then the Board shall appoint to the Committee such additional Disinterested Board Members as shall be necessary to provide for a Committee consisting of at least three Disinterested Board Members. Any members of the Committee who do not qualify as Disinterested Board Members shall abstain from participating in any discussion or decision to make or administer Awards that are made to Participants who at the time of consideration for such Award are persons subject to the short-swing profit rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The Board or the Committee (or if necessary to maintain compliance with the applicable listing standards, those members of the Committee who are “independent directors” under the corporate governance statutes or rules of any Exchange on which
the Company lists, has listed or seeks to list its securities) may, in their discretion, take any action and exercise any power, privilege or discretion conferred on the Board or the Committee under the Plan with the same force and effect under the Plan as if done or exercised by the Committee.
Section 5.2 Powers of Committee. The administration of the Plan by the Committee shall be subject to the following:
(a) The Committee will have the authority and discretion to select from among the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ Directors, Employees and Advisory Directors, those persons who shall receive Awards, to determine the time or times of receipt, to determine the types of Awards and the number of shares of Stock covered by the Awards, to establish the terms, conditions, performance criteria, if any, restrictions (including without limitation, provisions relating to non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality), and other provisions of such Awards (subject to the restrictions imposed by Article 6) to cancel or suspend Awards and to reduce, eliminate or accelerate any restrictions or vesting requirements (as provided at Section 2.8 and Article 4) applicable to an Award at any time after the grant of the Award.
(b) The Committee will have the authority and discretion to interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and to make all other determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
(c) The Committee will have the authority to define terms not otherwise defined herein.
(d) Any interpretation of the Plan by the Committee and any decision made by it under the Plan is final and binding on all persons.
(e) In controlling and managing the operation and administration of the Plan, the Committee shall take action in a manner that conforms to the charter and bylaws of the Company and applicable corporate law.
(f) Deductibility of Compensation. The Committee, in its discretion, shall have the authority to grant Awards whether or not such Awards will satisfy the requirements for deductibility for compensation in excess of $1 million in accordance with Code Section 162(m).
Section 5.3 Delegation by Committee. The Chairman of the Committee and such other directors and officers of the Company as shall be designated by the Committee are hereby authorized to execute Agreements on behalf of the Company and to cause them to be delivered to the recipients of Awards.
Section 5.4 Information to be Furnished to Committee. As may be permitted by applicable law, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall furnish the Committee with such data and information as it determines may be required for it to discharge its duties. The records of the Company and its Subsidiaries as to a Participant’s employment, termination of employment, leave of absence, reemployment and compensation shall be conclusive on all persons unless determined by the Committee to be manifestly incorrect. Subject to applicable law, Participants and other persons entitled to benefits under the Plan must furnish the Committee such evidence, data or information as the Committee considers desirable to carry out the terms of the Plan.
Section 5.5 Committee Action. The Committee shall hold such meetings, and may make such administrative rules and regulations, as it may deem proper. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the action of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting
at which a quorum is present, as well as actions taken pursuant to the unanimous written consent of all of the members of the Committee without holding a meeting, shall be deemed to be actions of the Committee. Subject to Section 5.1, all actions of the Committee shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Company, Participants and all other interested parties. Any person dealing with the Committee shall be fully protected in relying upon any written notice, instruction, direction or other communication signed by a member of the Committee or by a representative of the Committee authorized to sign the same in its behalf.
ARTICLE 6 - AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
Section 6.1 General. The Board may, as permitted by law, at any time, amend or terminate the Plan, and may amend any Award Agreement, provided that no amendment or termination (except as provided in Section 2.6, Section 3.3 and Section 6.2) may cause the re-pricing of a Stock Option or, in the absence of written consent to the change by the affected Participant (or, if the Participant is not then living, the affected beneficiary), adversely impair the rights of any Participant or beneficiary under any Award granted under the Plan prior to the date such amendment is adopted by the Board; provided, however, that, no amendment may (a) materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (b) materially increase the aggregate number of securities which may be issued under the Plan, other than pursuant to Section 3.3, or (c) materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan, unless the amendment under (a), (b) or (c) above is approved by a vote of the Company’s shareholders.
Section 6.2 Amendment to Conform to Law and Accounting Changes. Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may amend the Plan or any Award Agreement, to take effect retroactively or otherwise, as deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of (i) conforming the Plan or the Award Agreement to any present or future law relating to plans of this or similar nature (including, but not limited to, Code Section 409A), or (ii) avoiding an accounting treatment resulting from an accounting pronouncement or interpretation thereof issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or Financial Accounting Standards Board subsequent to the adoption of the Plan or the making of the Award affected thereby, which, in the sole discretion of the Committee, may materially and adversely affect the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. By accepting an Award under this Plan, each Participant agrees and consents to any amendment by the Committee or the Board made pursuant to Sections 2.6, 6.2 or 7.17 to any Award granted under the Plan without further consideration or action.
ARTICLE 7 - GENERAL TERMS
Section 7.1 No Implied Rights.
(a) No Rights to Specific Assets. Neither a Participant nor any other person shall by reason of participation in the Plan acquire any right in or title to any assets, funds or property of the Company or any Subsidiary whatsoever, including any specific funds, assets, or other property which the Company or any Subsidiary, in its sole discretion, may set aside in anticipation of a liability under the Plan. A Participant shall have only a contractual right to the shares of Stock or amounts, if any, payable or distributable under the Plan, unsecured by any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, and nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute a guarantee that the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be sufficient to pay any benefits to any person.
(b) No Contractual Right to Employment or Future Awards. The Plan does not constitute a contract of employment, and selection as a Participant will not give any participating Employee the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or any right or claim to any benefit under the
Plan, unless such right or claim has specifically accrued under the terms of the Plan. No individual shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under the Plan, or, having been so selected, to receive a future Award under the Plan.
(c) No Rights as a Shareholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in the Award Agreement, no Award under the Plan shall confer upon the holder thereof any rights as a shareholder of the Company prior to the date on which the individual fulfills all conditions for receipt of such rights.
(d) Compliance with Law. Shares of Stock shall not be issued with respect to any Award granted under the Plan unless the issuance and delivery of such shares shall comply with all relevant provisions of applicable law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, any applicable state securities laws and the requirements of any Exchange upon which the shares may then be listed. The inability of the Company to obtain any necessary authorizations, approvals or letters of non-objection from any regulatory body or authority deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Stock issuable hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability with respect to the non-issuance or sale of such shares. As a condition to the exercise of any Stock Option or the delivery of shares of Stock in accordance with an Award, the Company may require the person exercising the Stock Option or receiving delivery of the shares of Stock to make such representations and warranties as may be necessary to assure the availability of an exemption from the registration requirements of federal or state securities law.
Section 7.2 Restrictions on Transferability. Except as otherwise so provided by the Committee, ISOs under the Plan are not transferable except (i) as designated by the Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, (ii) to a trust established by the Participant, if under Code Section 671 and applicable state law, the Participant is considered the sole beneficial owner of the Stock Option while held in trust, or (iii) between spouses incident to a divorce or pursuant to a domestic relations order, provided, however, in the case of a transfer within the meaning of this paragraph (iii), the Stock Option shall not qualify as an ISO as of the day of such transfer. The Committee shall have the discretion to permit the transfer of Stock Options (other than ISOs) under the Plan if it determines that the transfer or assignment is for valid estate planning purposes and is permitted under the Code and Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that such transfers shall be limited to Immediate Family Members of Participants, trusts and partnerships established for the primary benefit of such family members or to charitable organizations, and; provided, further, that such transfers are not made for consideration to the Participant.
Restricted Stock Awards shall not be transferable prior to the time that such Awards are deemed earned and non-forfeitable to the Participant unless provided for in accordance with a qualified domestic relations order.
Section 7.3 Designation of Beneficiaries. A Participant hereunder may file with the Company a written designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries under this Plan and may from time to time revoke or amend any such designation (“Beneficiary Designation”). Any designation of beneficiary under this Plan shall be controlling over any other disposition, testamentary or otherwise (unless such disposition is pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order); provided, however, that if the Committee is in doubt as to the entitlement of any such beneficiary to any Award, the Committee may determine to recognize only the legal representative of the Participant, in which case the Company, the Committee and the members thereof shall not be under any further liability to anyone.
Section 7.4 Non-Exclusivity. Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board nor the submission of the Plan to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations
on the power of the Board or the Committee to adopt such other incentive arrangements as either may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of Restricted Stock Awards or Stock Options and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
Section 7.5 Award Agreement. Each Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement signed by an authorized representative of the Company and the Participant. A copy of the Award Agreement, in any medium chosen by the Committee, shall be provided (or made available electronically) to the Participant.
Section 7.6 Form and Time of Elections. Unless otherwise specified herein, each election required or permitted to be made by any Participant or other person entitled to benefits under the Plan, and any permitted modification or revocation thereof, shall be filed with the Company at such times, in such form, and subject to such restrictions and limitations, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall require.
Section 7.7 Evidence. Evidence required of anyone under the Plan may be by certificate, affidavit, document or other information upon which the person is acting considers pertinent and reliable, and signed, made or presented by the proper party or parties.
Section 7.8 Tax Withholding and Tax Matters.
(a) Where a Participant is entitled to receive shares of Stock upon the vesting or exercise of an Award, the Company shall have the right to require such Participant to pay to the Company the amount of any tax that the Company is required to withhold with respect to such vesting or exercise, or, in lieu thereof, to retain, or to sell without notice, a sufficient number of shares of Stock to cover the minimum amount required to be withheld. To the extent determined by the Committee and specified in an Award Agreement, a Participant may be provided the opportunity to direct the Company to satisfy the minimum required federal, state and local tax withholding by: (i) with respect to a Stock Option settled in Stock, reducing the number of shares of Stock subject to the Stock Option (without issuance of such shares of Stock to the Stock Option holder) by a number equal to the quotient of (a) the total minimum amount of required tax withholding divided by (b) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the exercise date over the Exercise Price per share of Stock; and (ii) with respect to a Restricted Stock Award, withholding a number of shares (based on the Fair Market Value on the vesting date) otherwise vesting that would satisfy the minimum amount of required tax withholding; provided that in each case, there are no adverse accounting consequences to the Company (with a requirement to have liability classification of an award under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718 being deemed an adverse consequence).
(b) Notice of Section 83(b) Election. In the event a Participant makes an election under Code Section 83(b) in connection with an Award, the Participant shall notify the Company in writing of such election within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Code Section 83(b) or other applicable provision.
(c) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. If any Participant shall make a disposition of Stock delivered pursuant to the exercise of an ISO under the circumstances described in Code Section 421(b) (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Participant shall notify the Company in writing of such disposition within ten (10) days thereof.
(d) Section 409A Compliance. To the extent that any Award is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Committee from time to time in order to comply with Code Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Code Section 409A) to a Participant who is then considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Code Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the Participant’s separation from service, or (ii) the Participant’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Code Section 409A. Further, the settlement of any such 409A Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Code Section 409A. To the extent that an Award is deemed to constitute a 409A Award, and for which payment with respect to the Award or acceleration of such Award being deemed earned and exercisable or non-forfeitable is determined solely by reference to whether a Change in Control has occurred, the term “Change in Control” means (for purposes of determining whether a payment is due or acceleration exists) the first to occur of a “change in the ownership of the Company,” a “change in the effective control of the Company” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets,” as those phrases are determined under Code Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect at the time of such Change in Control transaction.
Section 7.9 Action by Company or Subsidiary. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Company or any Subsidiary shall be by resolution of its board of directors, or by action of one or more members of the Board (including a committee of the Board) who are duly authorized to act for the Board, or (except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or applicable rules of any Exchange on which the Company lists its securities) by a duly authorized officer of the Company or such Subsidiary.
Section 7.10 Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business, stock, and/or assets of the Company.
Section 7.11 Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s governing documents, each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the Board, or an officer of the Company to whom authority was delegated in accordance with Section 5.3, or an Employee of the Company, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss (including amounts paid in settlement), cost, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf, unless such loss, cost, liability, or expense is a result of his or her own willful misconduct or gross negligence, or except as expressly provided by statute or regulation. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s charter or bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
Section 7.12 No Fractional Shares; Minimum Issuances. Unless otherwise permitted by the Committee, no fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The
Committee shall determine whether cash or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated by rounding down. No fewer than 100 shares of Stock may be purchased on exercise of any Stock Option unless the total number purchased or exercised is the total number at the time available for purchase or exercise by the Participant.
Section 7.13 Governing Law. The Plan, all Awards granted hereunder, and all actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey without reference to principles of conflict of laws, except as superseded by applicable federal law. The federal and state courts located in the State of New Jersey within thirty miles of the Company's principal office, shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim, action, complaint or lawsuit brought under the terms of the Plan. By accepting any award under this Plan, each Participant and any other person claiming any rights under the Plan agrees to submit himself or herself and any legal action that the Participant brings under the Plan, to the sole jurisdiction of such courts for the adjudication and resolution of any such disputes.
Section 7.14 Benefits Under Other Plans. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee or as set forth in a Qualified Retirement Plan, Awards to a Participant (including the grant and the receipt of benefits) under the Plan shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the Participant’s benefits under, or contributions to, any Qualified Retirement Plan, non-qualified plan and any other benefit plans maintained by the Participant’s employer. The term “Qualified Retirement Plan” means any plan of the Company or a Subsidiary that is intended to be qualified under Code Section 401(a).
Section 7.15 Validity. If any provision of this Plan is determined to be illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts hereof, but this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision has never been included herein.
Section 7.16 Notice. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, all written notices and all other written communications to the Company provided for in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid (provided that international mail shall be sent via overnight or two-day delivery), or sent by facsimile, email or prepaid overnight courier to the Company at its principal executive office. Such notices, demands, claims and other communications shall be deemed given:
(a) in the case of delivery by overnight service with guaranteed next day delivery, the next day or the day designated for delivery;
(b) in the case of certified or registered U.S. mail, five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail; or
(c) in the case of facsimile or email, the date upon which the transmitting party received confirmation of receipt; provided, however, that in no event shall any such communications be deemed to be given later than the date they are actually received, provided they are actually received. In the event a communication is not received, it shall only be deemed received upon the showing of an original of the applicable receipt, registration or confirmation from the applicable delivery service. Communications that are to be delivered by U.S. mail or by overnight service to the Company shall be directed to the attention of the Company’s Corporate Secretary.
Section 7.17 Forfeiture Events.
(a) The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events include, but are not limited to, termination of employment for cause, termination of the Participant’s provision of Services to the Company or any Subsidiary, violation of material Company or Subsidiary policies, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct of the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company or any Subsidiary.
(b) If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws, any Participant who is subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or who is subject to recoupment under Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Act shall reimburse the Company the amount of any payment in settlement of an Award earned or accrued during the twelve month period following the first public issuance or filing with the SEC (whichever first occurred) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement.
(c) In addition, Awards granted hereunder are subject to any recoupment policy adopted by the Board from time to time, whether such policy shall have been adopted prior to or following a Participant’s receipt of an Award.
Section 7.18 Regulatory Requirements. The grant and settlement of Awards under this Plan shall be conditioned upon and subject to compliance with Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Further, Participants must exercise or forfeit their Stock Options in the event the Company becomes critically undercapitalized or receives a capital directive, as determined by the Company’s state or primary federal banking regulator.
Section 7.19 Shareholder Approval. Shareholder approval of such Plan shall be determined by an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter in person or by proxy at a meeting of shareholders of the Company held within one year of the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board of Directors of the Company. Any material amendment to the Plan deemed to require an approval vote of shareholders shall be approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter in person or by proxy at a meeting of shareholders of the Company.
Section 7.20 Section 16 of Exchange Act. It is the intent of the Company that the Awards and transactions permitted by Awards be interpreted in a manner that, in the case of Participants who are or may be subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, qualify, to the maximum extent compatible with the express terms of the Award, for exemption from matching liability under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to any Participant for Section 16 consequences of Awards or events affecting Awards if an Award or event does not so qualify.
ARTICLE 8 - DEFINED TERMS; CONSTRUCTION
Section 8.1 In addition to the other definitions contained herein, unless otherwise specifically provided in an Award Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:
“10% Shareholder” means an individual who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company in accordance with Code Section 422.
“Advisory Director” means an individual designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as a member of an advisory board established by the Company or any Subsidiary or an individual serving the Company or the Bank as a director emeritus, advisory director or in a similar capacity.
“Award” means any Stock Option or Restricted Stock Award or any combination of each, or any other right or interest relating to Stock or cash, granted to a Participant under the Plan.
“Award Agreement” means the document (in whatever medium prescribed by the Committee) which evidences the terms and conditions of an Award under the Plan. Such document is referred to as an agreement, regardless of whether a Participant’s signature is required.
“Bank” means Parke Bank and any successors thereto.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Cause” or “Termination for Cause” means: (i) If the Participant is subject to a written employment agreement (or other similar written agreement) with the Company or a Subsidiary that provides a definition of termination for “Cause,” then, for purposes of this Plan, the term “Cause” shall have meaning set forth in such agreement, and (ii) In the absence of such a definition, “Cause” means (i) the conviction of the Participant of a felony or of any lesser criminal offense involving moral turpitude; (ii) the willful commission by the Participant of a criminal or other act that, in the judgment of the Board, will likely cause substantial economic damage to the Company or any Subsidiary or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Company or any Subsidiary; (iii) the commission by the Participant of an act of fraud in the performance of his duties on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary; (iv) the continuing willful failure of the Participant to perform his duties to the Company or any Subsidiary (other than any such failure resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness) after written notice thereof; or (v) an order of a federal or state regulatory agency or a court of competent jurisdiction requiring the termination of the Participant’s Service with the Company.
“Change in Control” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.2.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any rules, regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder, as modified from time to time.
“Code Section 409A” means the provisions of Code Section 409A and any rules, regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder, as modified from time to time.
“Committee” means the Board or the Committee acting under Article 5.
“Company” shall mean Parke Bancorp, Inc. and any successors thereto.
“Director” means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or a Subsidiary, or any successors thereto from time to time.
“Disability” or “Disabled” means: (i) with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the “permanent and total disability” of the Employee as such term is defined at Code Section 22(e)(3); and (ii) with respect to other Awards, a condition of incapacity of a Participant which renders that person unable to engage in the performance of his or her duties by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment
which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months. In either case, except to the extent prohibited under Code Section 409A, if applicable, the Committee shall have discretion to determine if a termination due to Disability has occurred.
“Disinterested Board Member” means a member of the Board who: (a) is not a current Employee of the Company or a Subsidiary; (b) is not a former employee of the Company or a Subsidiary who receives compensation for prior Services (other than benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan) during the taxable year; (c) has not been an officer of the Company or a Subsidiary during the past three years; (d) does not receive remuneration from the Company or a Subsidiary, either directly or indirectly, in any capacity other than as a Director except in an amount for which disclosure would not be required pursuant to Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K in accordance with the proxy solicitation rules of the SEC, as amended or any successor provision thereto; and (e) does not possess an interest in any other transaction, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(a) of SEC Regulation S-K under the proxy solicitation rules of the SEC, as amended or any successor provision thereto. A Disinterested Board Member must be eligible to serve on the Company’s Compensation Committee as required by any Exchange on which the Company lists its securities, if applicable. The term Disinterested Board Member shall be interpreted in such manner as shall be necessary to conform to the requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and the corporate governance standards imposed on compensation committees under the listing requirements imposed by any Exchange on which the Company lists or seeks to list its securities.
“Employee” means any person employed by the Company or any Subsidiary. Directors who are also employed by the Company or a Subsidiary shall be considered Employees under the Plan.
“Exchange” means any national securities exchange on which the Stock may from time-to-time be listed or traded.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
“Exercise Price” means the purchase price of the Stock established with respect to a Stock Option pursuant to Section 2.2.
“Fair Market Value” on any date, means (i) if the Stock is listed on an Exchange, the closing sales price on such Exchange or over such system on such date (and without regard to after-hours trading activity) or, in the absence of reported sales on such date, the closing sales price on the immediately preceding date on which sales were reported, or (ii) if the Stock is not listed on a securities exchange, “Fair Market Value” shall mean a price determined by the Committee in good faith on the basis of objective criteria, and in accordance with Code Sections 409A and 422, if applicable.
“Immediate Family Member” means with respect to any Participant: (a) any of the Participant’s children, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, spouses, former spouses, siblings, nieces, nephews, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law or sisters-in-law, including relationships created by adoption; (b) any natural person sharing the Participant’s household (other than as a tenant or employee, directly or indirectly, of the Participant); (c) a trust in which any combination of the Participant and persons described in section (a) and (b) above own more than 50% of the beneficial interests; (d) a foundation in which any combination of the Participant and persons described in sections (a) and (b) above control management of the assets; or (e) any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which any combination of the Participant and persons described in sections (a) and (b) above control more than 50% of the voting interests.
“ISO” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.1(a).
“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means the right to purchase shares of Stock that is either (i) granted to a Participant who is not an Employee, or (ii) granted to an Employee and either is not designated by the Committee to be an ISO or does not satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422.
“Outside Director” means any member of the Board who is not also at that time an Employee.
“Participant” means any individual who has received, and currently holds, an outstanding Award under the Plan.
“Restricted Stock” or “Restricted Stock Award” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.3.
“Retirement” means, unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, termination from employment as an Employee on or after the attainment of age 65 , or Termination of Service as a Director on or after the attainment of age 70, and in each case having completed not less than ten years of employment or service; provided, however, that unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, an Employee who is also a Director shall not be deemed to have terminated due to Retirement for purposes of vesting of Awards and the exercise of Stock Options until both Service as an Employee and Service as a Director has ceased. A Director will be deemed to have terminated due to Retirement for purposes of vesting of Awards and the exercise of Stock Options only if the Director has terminated Service on the Board(s) of Directors of the Company and any Subsidiary or affiliate in accordance with applicable Company policy, following the provision of written notice to such Board(s) of Directors of the Director’s intention to retire. A Director who continues in Service as an Advisory Director shall be deemed to be in the Service of the Company or a Subsidiary for purposes of vesting of Awards and exercise of Stock Options.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
“Service” means continuous service as an Employee, service provider, or Outside Director of the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and shall include service as a director emeritus or advisory director. Service shall not be deemed interrupted in the case of sick leave, military leave or any other absence approved by the Company or a Subsidiary, in the case of transferees between payroll locations or between the Company, a Subsidiary or a successor.
“Stock” means the common stock of the Company, $0.10 par value per share.
“Stock Option” means an ISO or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
“Subsidiary” means any corporation, affiliate, bank or other entity which would be a subsidiary corporation with respect to the Company as defined in Code Section 424(f) and, other than with respect to an ISO, shall also mean any partnership or joint venture in which the Company and/or other Subsidiary owns more than 50% of the capital or profits interests.
“Termination of Service” means the first day occurring on or after a grant date on which the Participant ceases to be an Employee or Director (including an Advisory Directory) of the Company or any Subsidiary, regardless of the reason for such cessation, subject to the following:
(i) The Participant’s cessation as an Employee shall not be deemed to occur by reason of the transfer of the Participant between the Company and a Subsidiary or between two Subsidiaries.
(ii) The Participant’s cessation as an Employee shall not be deemed to occur by reason of the Participant’s being on a bona fide leave of absence from the Company or a Subsidiary approved by the Company or Subsidiary otherwise receiving the Participant’s Services, provided such leave of absence does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long as the Employee retains a right to reemployment with the Company or Subsidiary under an applicable statute or by contract. For these purposes, a leave of absence constitutes a bona fide leave of absence only if there is a reasonable expectation that the Employee will return to perform Services for the Company or Subsidiary. If the period of leave exceeds six months and the Employee does not retain a right to reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract, the employment relationship is deemed to terminate on the first day immediately following such six-month period. For purposes of this sub-section (ii), to the extent applicable, an Employee’s leave of absence shall be interpreted by the Committee in a manner consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(1).
(iii) If, as a result of a sale or other transaction, the Subsidiary for whom Participant is employed (or to whom the Participant is providing Services) ceases to be a Subsidiary, and the Participant is not, following the transaction, an Employee of the Company or an entity that is then a Subsidiary, then the occurrence of such transaction shall be treated as the Participant’s Termination of Service caused by the Participant being discharged by the entity for whom the Participant is employed or to whom the Participant is providing Services.
(iv) Except to the extent Code Section 409A may be applicable to an Award, and subject to the foregoing paragraphs of this sub-section, the Committee shall have discretion to determine if a Termination of Service has occurred and the date on which it occurred. In the event that any Award under the Plan constitutes Deferred Compensation (as defined in Section 2.6 hereof), the term Termination of Service shall be interpreted by the Committee in a manner consistent with the definition of “Separation from Service” as defined under Code Section 409A and under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(ii). For purposes of this Plan, a “Separation from Service” shall have occurred if the Company and Participant reasonably anticipate that no further Services will be performed by the Participant after the date of the Termination of Service (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) or the level of further Services performed will be less than 50% of the average level of bona fide Services in the 36 months immediately preceding the Termination of Service. If a Participant is a “Specified Employee,” as defined in Code Section 409A and any payment to be made hereunder shall be determined to be subject to Code Section 409A, then if required by Code Section 409A, such payment or a portion of such payment (to the minimum extent possible) shall be delayed and shall be paid on the first day of the seventh month following Participant’s Separation from Service.
(v) With respect to a Participant who is a Director, cessation as a Director will not be deemed to have occurred if the Participant continues as a director emeritus or Advisory Director. With respect to a Participant who is both an Employee and a Director, termination of employment as an Employee shall not constitute a Termination of Service for purposes of the Plan so long as the Participant continues to provide Service as an Outside Director or director emeritus or Advisory Director.
“Voting Securities” means any securities which ordinarily possess the power to vote in the election of directors without the happening of any pre-condition or contingency.
Section 8.2 In this Plan, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, the following uses apply:
(a) actions permitted under this Plan may be taken at any time and from time to time in the actor’s reasonable discretion;
(b) references to a statute shall refer to the statute and any successor statute, and to all regulations promulgated under or implementing the statute or its successor, as in effect at the relevant time;
(c) in computing periods from a specified date to a later specified date, the words “from” and “commencing on” (and the like) mean “from and including,” and the words “to,” “until” and “ending on” (and the like) mean “to, but excluding”;
(d) references to a governmental or quasi-governmental agency, authority or instrumentality shall also refer to a regulatory body that succeeds to the functions of the agency, authority or instrumentality;
(e) indications of time of day mean Eastern Time;
(f) “including” means “including, but not limited to”;
(g) all references to sections, schedules and exhibits are to sections, schedules and exhibits in or to this Plan unless otherwise specified;
(h) all words used in this Plan will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances and context require;
(i) the captions and headings of articles, sections, schedules and exhibits appearing in or attached to this Plan have been inserted solely for convenience of reference and shall not be considered a part of this Plan nor shall any of them affect the meaning or interpretation of this Plan or any of its provisions;
(j) any reference to a document or set of documents in this Plan, and the rights and obligations of the parties under any such documents, shall mean such document or documents as amended from time to time, and any and all modifications, extensions, renewals, substitutions or replacements thereof; and
(k) all accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.