Employment Agreement by and between SSB Bank and Benjamin Contrucci

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made effective as of September 1, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), by and between SSB Bank (the “Bank”) and Benjamin Contrucci (“Executive”). Any reference to the “Company” shall mean any future stock holding company of the Bank, or any successor thereto.

WHEREAS, the Bank wishes to assure itself of the continued services of Executive for the period provided in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, in order to induce Executive to remain in the employ of the Bank and to provide further incentive for Executive to achieve the financial and performance objectives of the Bank, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Bank desires to set forth the rights and responsibilities of Executive and the compensation payable to Executive, as modified from time to time.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.       POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

During the term of this Agreement, Executive agrees to serve as Vice President of Retail/Merchant Operations of the Bank (the “Executive Position”), and will perform the duties and will have all powers associated with those positions as set forth in any job description provided to Executive by the Bank, and as may be set forth in the bylaws of the Bank. During the term of this Agreement, Executive also agrees to serve, if elected, as an officer of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Bank and in that capacity will carry out the duties and responsibilities reasonably appropriate to that office.

2.       TERM AND DUTIES.

(a)       Term and Annual Renewal. The initial term of this Agreement and the period of Executive’s employment hereunder shall begin as of the Effective Date and shall continue for three (3) years thereafter. Commencing as of September 1, 2018, and continuing as of each September 1 thereafter (the “Renewal Date”), this Agreement shall renew for an additional year such that the remaining term shall again be three (3) years unless written notice of non-renewal (“Non-Renewal Notice”) is provided to Executive at least 30 days prior to the Renewal Date, in which event this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the term of the Agreement (including any previous extensions of the term). Prior to each notice period for non-renewal, the disinterested members of the Board of Trustees of the Bank (the “Board of Trustees,” the term “Board of Trustees shall also include the term “Board of Trustees,” if applicable at any time during the term of this Agreement) will conduct an evaluation and review of Executive for purposes which include determining whether to take action regarding non-renewal of the Agreement, and the results thereof shall be included in the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Trustees. Reference herein to the term of this Agreement shall refer to both the initial term and any extended terms.

(b)       Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Bank or the Company has entered into an agreement to effect a transaction that would be considered a Change in Control as defined under Section 5 of this Agreement, the term of this Agreement shall be extended automatically for three (3) years following the effective date of the Change in Control.

(c)       Membership on Other Boards of Directors or Organizations. During the period of his employment hereunder, except for periods of absence occasioned by illness, reasonable vacation periods, and reasonable leaves of absence, Executive will devote all of his business time, attention, skill and efforts to the faithful performance of his duties under this Agreement, including activities and duties related to the Executive Position. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, Executive may serve as a member of the board of directors of business, community and charitable organizations, provided that in each case the service shall not materially interfere with the performance of his duties under this Agreement, adversely affect the reputation of the Bank or any affiliates of the Bank (as determined by the Board of Trustees), or present any conflict of interest.

(d)       Continued Employment Following Expiration of Term. Nothing in this Agreement shall mandate or prohibit a continuation of Executive’s employment following the expiration of the term of this Agreement.

3.       COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REIMBURSEMENT.

(a)       Base Salary. In consideration of Executive’s performance of the responsibilities and duties set forth in this Agreement, the Bank will provide Executive the compensation specified in this Agreement. The Bank will pay Executive a salary of $123,000 per year (“Base Salary”). Base Salary will be payable in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Bank. During the term of this Agreement, Executive’s Base Salary shall increase by a minimum of three percent (3%) per year. Any change in Base Salary will become the new “Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement.

(b)       Bonus/Incentive Pay. Executive shall be eligible to participate in any bonus plan or incentive pay arrangement or other similar arrangement of the Bank or the Company in which senior management is eligible to participate. Executive shall also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, as determined by the Board of Trustees in its discretion. Nothing paid to Executive under any such plan or arrangement will be deemed to be in lieu of the other compensation to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement.

(c)       Benefit Plans. Executive will be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, arrangements and perquisites offered to employees and officers of the Bank. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(c), Executive also will be entitled to participate in any employee benefit plans, including but not limited to retirement plans, profit-sharing plans, health-and-accident plans, or any other employee benefit plan or arrangement made available by the Bank in the future to employees, subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of the plans and arrangements.

(d)       Vacation. Executive will be entitled to paid vacation time each year during the term of this Agreement measured on a calendar year basis, in accordance with the Bank’s customary practices, as well as sick leave, holidays and other paid absences in accordance with the Bank’s policies and procedures for officers. Any unused paid time off during an annual period will be treated in accordance with the Bank’s personnel policies as in effect from time to time.

(e)       Expense Reimbursements. The Bank will reimburse Executive for all reasonable travel, entertainment and other reasonable expenses incurred by Executive during the course of performing his obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, reimbursement for memberships in such organizations as Executive and the Board of Trustees mutually agree are necessary and appropriate in connection with the performance of his duties under this Agreement, upon substantiation of the expenses in accordance with applicable policies and procedures of the Bank. All reimbursements pursuant to this Section 3(e) shall be paid promptly by the Bank and in any event no later than 30 business days following the date on which the expense was incurred.

Subject to Section 5 of this Agreement, which governs the occurrence of a Change in Control, Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated in the following circumstances:

(a)       Death. Executive’s employment under this Agreement will terminate upon his death during the term of this Agreement, in which event Executive’s estate or beneficiary shall be paid Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect at the time of Executive’s death for a period of twelve (12) months following Executive’s death (payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Bank). In addition, for twelve (12) months following Executive’s death, the Bank will continue to provide medical and dental coverage substantially comparable to the coverage maintained by the Bank for Executive and his family immediately prior to Executive’s death. The continued benefits will be fully paid for by the Bank.

(b)       Disability. This Agreement shall terminate in the event of Executive’s “Disability,” at the election of the Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion. “Disability” shall mean Executive’s permanent and totally physical or mental impairment that restricts Executive from performing all the essential functions of normal employment. Executive shall have no right to receive any compensation or benefits under this Agreement on account of his Disability or his termination of employment on account of a Disability, except for benefits that have vested prior to the date of termination..

(c)       Termination for Cause. The Board of Trustees may immediately terminate Executive’s employment at any time for “Cause.” Executive shall have no right to receive any compensation or benefits under this Agreement upon his termination for Cause, except for benefits that have vested prior to the date of termination. Termination for “Cause” shall mean termination because of, in the good faith determination of the Board of Trustees, Executive’s:

(i)       material act of dishonesty or fraud in performing Executive’s duties on behalf of the Bank;

(ii)       willful misconduct that in the judgment of the Board of Trustees will likely cause economic damage to the Bank or injury to the business reputation of the Bank;

(iii)       incompetence (in determining incompetence, the acts or omissions shall be measured against standards generally prevailing in the banking industry);

(iv)       breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit;

(v)       intentional failure to perform stated duties under this Agreement after written notice thereof from the Board of Trustees;

(vi)       willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses which results only in a fine or other non-custodial penalty) that reflect adversely on the reputation of the Bank, any felony conviction, any violation of law involving moral turpitude, or any violation of a final cease-and-desist order; or any violation of the policies and procedures of the Bank as outlined in the Bank’s employee handbook, which would result in termination of the Bank employees, as from time to time amended and incorporated herein by reference; or

(vii)       material breach by Executive of any provision of this Agreement.

(d)       Voluntary Termination by Executive. Executive may voluntarily terminate employment during the term of this Agreement upon at least 30 days prior written notice to the Board of Trustees, which period may be waived by the Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion. Upon Executive’s voluntary termination (other than a termination for “Good Reason,” as provided for in Section 4(e) of this Agreement), Executive shall have no right to receive any compensation or benefits under this Agreement, except for benefits that have vested prior to the date of termination.

(e)       Termination Without Cause or With Good Reason.

(f)       Effect on Status as a Director. In the event of Executive’s termination of employment under this Agreement for any reason, the termination shall also constitute Executive’s resignation from the Board of Trustees, as well as the board of directors of any affiliates of the Bank, to the extent the Executive is then serving in such capacity.

(a)       Change in Control Defined. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred following a reorganization of the Bank as the wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company in a standard conversion or a mutual holding company reorganization or a subsequent reorganization of the Bank, its stock holding company or a mutual holding company solely within their corporate structure or upon a second-step conversion.

(b)       Change in Control Benefits. Upon the occurrence of Executive’s termination Without Cause or With Good Reason on or after the effective time of a Change in Control, the Bank (or any successor) shall pay Executive, or in the event of Executive’s subsequent death, Executive’s beneficiary or estate, as severance pay an amount equal to three (3) times the sum of Executive’s: (i) highest annual rate of Base Salary; and (ii) highest annual cash bonus paid to or earned by Executive during the calendar year of the Change in Control or either of the two (2) calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the effective date of Change in Control occurs. The payment will be made in a lump sum within 30 days following Executive’s date of termination, and will be subject to applicable withholding taxes. In addition, the Bank will continue to provide Executive with life insurance coverage and non-taxable medical and dental insurance coverage substantially comparable to the coverage maintained by the Bank for Executive immediately prior to his date of termination at no cost to Executive. The continued coverage shall cease upon the earlier of: (i) the date which is three (3) years from Executive’s date of termination or (ii) the date on which Executive becomes a full-time employee of another employer, provided Executive is entitled to the benefits that are substantially similar to the health and welfare benefits provided by the Bank. The period of continued health coverage required by Section 4980B(f) of the Code shall not run concurrently with the coverage period provided herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payments and benefits provided in this Section 5(b) shall be payable to Executive in lieu of any payments or benefits that are payable under Section 4(e) of this Agreement.

6.       COVENANTS OF EXECUTIVE.

(a)       Non-Solicitation/Non-Compete. Executive hereby covenants and agrees that, for a period of one (1) year following his termination of employment with the Bank (other than a termination of employment following a Change in Control), Executive shall not, without the written consent of the Bank, either directly or indirectly:

(b)       Confidentiality. Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the knowledge of the business activities, plans for business activities, and all other proprietary information of the Bank, as it may exist from time to time, are valuable, special and unique assets of the business of the Bank. Executive will not, during or after the term of Executive’s employment, disclose any knowledge of the past, present, planned or considered business activities or any other similar proprietary information of the Bank to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever unless expressly authorized by the Board of Trustees or required by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may disclose any knowledge of banking, financial and/or economic principles, concepts or ideas which are not solely and exclusively derived from the business plans and activities of the Bank. Further, Executive may disclose information regarding the business activities of the Bank to any bank regulator having regulatory jurisdiction over the activities of the Bank pursuant to a formal regulatory request. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Executive of the provisions of this Section, the Bank will be entitled to an injunction restraining Executive from disclosing, in whole or in part, the knowledge of the past, present, planned or considered business activities of the Bank or any other similar proprietary information, or from rendering any services to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity to whom such knowledge, in whole or in part, has been disclosed or is threatened to be disclosed. Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting the Bank from pursuing any other remedies available to the Bank for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from Executive.

(c)       Information/Cooperation. Executive shall, upon reasonable notice, furnish such information and assistance to the Bank as may be reasonably required by the Bank, in connection with any litigation in which it or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is, or may become, a party; provided, however, that Executive shall not be required to provide information or assistance with respect to any litigation between Executive and the Bank or any other subsidiaries or affiliates.

(d)       Reliance. Except as otherwise provided and to the extent applicable, all payments and benefits to be provided to Executive under this Agreement shall be subject to Executive’s compliance with this Section 6. The parties hereto, recognizing that irreparable injury will result to the Bank, its business and property in the event of Executive’s breach of this Section 6, agree that, in the event of any such breach by Executive, the Bank will be entitled, in addition to any other remedies and damages available, to an injunction to restrain the violation hereof by Executive and all persons acting for or with Executive. Executive represents and admits that Executive’s experience and capabilities are such that Executive can obtain employment in a business engaged in other lines of business than the Bank, and that the enforcement of a remedy by way of injunction will not prevent Executive from earning a livelihood. Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting the Bank from pursuing any other remedies available to them for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from Executive.

7.       SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.

All payments provided in this Agreement shall be timely paid by check or direct deposit from the general funds of the Bank (or any successor of the Bank).

8.       EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND EXISTING BENEFITS PLANS.

This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior employment or similar agreement between the Bank or any predecessor of the Bank and Executive, except that this Agreement shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation inuring to Executive of a kind expressly provided elsewhere.

9.       NO ATTACHMENT; BINDING ON SUCCESSORS.

(a)       Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to affect any such action shall be null, void, and of no effect.

(b)       The Bank shall require any successor or assignee, whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all the business or assets of the Bank, expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Bank’s obligations under this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Bank would be required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place.

10.       MODIFICATION AND WAIVER.

(a)       This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

(b)       No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived, nor shall there be any estoppel against the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, except by written instrument of the party charged with such waiver or estoppel. No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition for the future as to any act other than that specifically waived.

11.       REQUIRED PROVISIONS.

Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply:

(a)       The Board of Trustees may terminate Executive’s employment at any time, but any termination by the Board of Trustees, other than a termination for Cause, shall not prejudice Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits under this Agreement. Executive shall have no right to receive compensation or other benefits under this Agreement for any period after Executive’s termination of employment for Cause.

(b)       Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, any payments to Executive by the Bank or the Company, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k), and the regulations promulgated thereunder in 12 C.F.R. Part 359.

(c)       Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary (with the exception of Section 4(c)(i)), Executive’s employment shall not be deemed to have been terminated unless and until Executive has a Separation from Service within the meaning of Code Section 409A. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Separation from Service” shall have occurred if the Bank and Executive reasonably anticipate that either no further services will be performed by Executive after the date of termination (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) or the level of further services performed is less than 50 percent of the average level of bona fide services in the 36 months immediately preceding the termination. For all purposes hereunder, the definition of Separation from Service shall be interpreted consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(ii). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 11(c) shall not apply in the event of the Executive’s termination for Cause.

(d)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive is a “specified employee” (i.e., a “key employee” of a publicly-traded company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the final regulations issued thereunder) and any payment under this Agreement is triggered due to Executive’s Separation from Service, then solely to the extent necessary to avoid penalties under Section 409A of the Code, no payment shall be made during the first six (6) months following Executive’s Separation from Service. Rather, any payment which would otherwise be paid to Executive during that period will be accumulated and paid to Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the Separation from Service. All subsequent payments will be paid in the manner specified in this Agreement.

(e)       If the Bank cannot provide Executive or Executive’s dependents any continued health insurance or other welfare benefits as required by this Agreement because Executive is no longer an employee, applicable rules and regulations prohibit such benefits or the payment of such benefits in the manner contemplated, or it would subject the Bank to penalties, then the Bank shall pay Executive or Executive’s beneficiary or estate in the event of death a cash lump sum payment reasonably estimated to be equal to the value of such benefits or the value of the remaining benefits at the time of such determination. The cash payment will be made in a lump sum within 30 days after the later of Executive’s date of termination or the effective date of the rules or regulations prohibiting the provision of such benefits or subjecting the Bank to penalties.

(f)       To the extent not specifically provided in this Agreement, any compensation or reimbursements payable to Executive shall be paid or provided no later than two and one-half (2.5) months after the calendar year in which such compensation is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(d).

12.       SEVERABILITY.

If, for any reason, any provision of this Agreement, or any part of any provision, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any part of such provision not held so invalid, and each other provision and part thereof shall to the full extent consistent with law continue in full force and effect.

13.       GOVERNING LAW.

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania but only to the extent not superseded by federal law.

14.       ARBITRATION.

Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by binding arbitration, as an alternative to civil litigation and without any trial by jury to resolve such claims, conducted by a single arbitrator mutually acceptable to the Bank and Executive, sitting in a location selected by the Bank within 25 miles from the main office of the Bank, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association’s National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction.

15.       PAYMENT OF LEGAL FEES.

To the extent that such payment(s) may be made without triggering penalty under Code Section 409A, all reasonable legal fees paid or incurred by Executive pursuant to any dispute relating to this Agreement shall be paid or reimbursed by the Bank provided that the dispute is resolved in Executive’s favor, and the reimbursement shall occur no later than 60 days after the end of the year in which the dispute is settled or resolved in Executive’s favor.

16.       INDEMNIFICATION.

The Bank shall provide Executive (including Executive’s heirs, executors and administrators) with coverage under a standard directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy at its expense, and shall indemnify Executive (and Executive’s heirs, executors and administrators) for the term of the Agreement and for a period of six (6) years thereafter to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law against all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by Executive in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which he may be involved by reason of Executive having been a director or officer of the Bank or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Bank (whether or not he continues to be a director or officer at the time of incurring such expenses or liabilities), such expenses and liabilities to include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs and attorneys’ fees and the cost of reasonable settlements (such settlements must be approved by the Board of Trustees, as appropriate); provided, however, the Bank shall not be required to indemnify or reimburse Executive for legal expenses or liabilities incurred in connection with an action, suit or proceeding arising from any illegal or fraudulent act committed by Executive.

17.       Notice.

For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth below:

[Signature page follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.