Valley National Bancorp 2023 Incentive Compensation Plan
Contract Categories:
Human Resources
- Bonus & Incentive Agreements
EX-10.1 2 vly-06302023ex101.htm EX-10.1 Document
VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP
2023 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
I. INTRODUCTION
1.1.Purposes. The purposes of the Valley National Bancorp 2023 Incentive Compensation Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) are (i) to align the interests of the Company’s shareholders and the recipients of Awards under the Plan by increasing the proprietary interest of such recipients in the Company’s growth and success, (ii) to advance the interests of the Company by attracting and retaining officers, other employees and Non-Employee Directors, and (iii) to motivate such persons to act in the long-term best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
1.2.Certain Definitions.
(a)“Award” shall mean any options to purchase Shares in the form of Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, SARs in the form of Tandem SARs or Free-Standing SARs, Stock Awards in the form of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Unrestricted Stock, Performance Awards and Other Cash-Based Awards granted under the Plan.
(b)“Award Agreement” shall mean any written or electronic agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted under the Plan, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by the eligible person to whom it has been so granted. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(c)“Blackout Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).
(d)“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e)“Change in Control” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.7(b).
(f)“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(g)“Committee” shall mean the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board, or a subcommittee thereof, consisting of two or more members of the Board, each of whom is intended to be (i) a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and (ii) “independent” within the meaning of the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC or, if Shares are not listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, within the meaning of the rules of the principal stock exchange on which Shares are then traded; provided, however, that the “Committee” in regard to exercising any authority and responsibility to grant awards under the Plan to participants who are Non-Employee Directors and to make or take, as the case may be, all required or appropriate determinations and actions in respect of such grants shall mean the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board or another Board committee and/or the Board itself, if so determined by the Board.
(h)“Common Stock” shall mean the common stock, no par value per share, of the Company, and all rights appurtenant thereto.
(i)“Company” shall mean Valley National Bancorp, a New Jersey corporation, and its successors by operation of law.
(j)“Continuing Directors” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.7(b).
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(k)“Control Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.7(b).
(l)“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(m)“Fair Market Value” shall mean, unless otherwise determined by the Committee from time to time, the closing transaction price of a Share as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the date as of which such value is being determined or, if Shares are not listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the closing transaction price of a Share on the principal national stock exchange on which Shares are traded on the date as of which such value is being determined or, if there shall be no reported transactions for such date, on the next preceding date for which transactions were reported; provided, however, that if Shares are not listed on a national stock exchange or if Fair Market Value for any date cannot be so determined, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee by whatever means or method as the Committee, in the good faith exercise of its discretion, shall at such time deem appropriate and in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
(n)“Free-Standing SAR” shall mean an SAR which is not granted in tandem with, or by reference to, an option, which entitles the holder thereof to receive, upon exercise, Shares (which may be Restricted Stock) or, to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement, cash or a combination thereof, with an aggregate value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over the base price of such SAR, multiplied by the number of such SARs which are exercised.
(o)“Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an option to purchase Shares that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision, which is intended by the Committee to constitute an Incentive Stock Option.
(p)“Non-Control Transaction” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.7(b).
(q)“Non-Employee Director” shall mean any director of the Company who is not an officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
(r)“Non-qualified Stock Option” shall mean an option to purchase Shares which is not an Incentive Stock Option.
(s)“Other Cash-based Award” shall mean a cash-denominated award granted under Section 6.1 of the Plan.
(t)“Performance Award” shall mean a right to receive an amount of cash, Common Stock, or a combination of both, contingent upon the attainment of specified Performance Measures within a specified Performance Period.
(u)“Performance Measures” shall mean the criteria and objectives, established by the Committee, which shall be satisfied or met (i) as a condition to the grant or exercisability of all or a portion of an option or SAR or (ii) during the applicable Restriction Period or Performance Period as a condition to the vesting of the holder’s interest, in the case of a Restricted Stock Award, of the Shares subject to such Award, or, in the case of a Restricted Stock Unit Award or Performance Award, to the holder’s receipt of the Shares subject to such Award or of payment with respect to such Award. Such criteria and objectives may be one or more of the following company-wide or subsidiary, division, operating unit or individual measures, including without limitation: the attainment by a share of Common Stock of a specified Fair Market Value for a specified period of time; increase in shareholder value; earnings per share; return on or net assets; return on equity; return on investments; return on capital or invested capital; total shareholder
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return; earnings or income of the Company before or after taxes and/or interest; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; operating income; revenues; operating expenses, attainment of expense levels or cost reduction goals; market share; cash flow, cash flow per share, cash flow margin or free cash flow; book value, tangible book value or growth in book value or tangible book value, interest expense; economic value created; gross profit or margin; operating profit or margin; net cash provided by operations; price-to-earnings growth; and strategic business criteria, or any other objective or subjective measures determined by the Committee. Each such goal may be expressed on an absolute or relative basis and may include comparisons based on current internal targets, the past performance of the Company (including the performance of one or more subsidiaries, divisions, or operating units) or the past or current performance of other companies or an index of other companies (or a combination of such past and current performance). The applicable performance measures may be applied on a pre- or post-tax basis and may be adjusted to include or exclude one or more components of any performance measure, including, without limitation, restructuring or impairment charges, acquisitions or dispositions, foreign exchange, debt refinancing costs, extraordinary or noncash items, unusual, nonrecurring or one-time events affecting the Company or its financial statements or changes in law or accounting principles.
(v)“Performance Period” shall mean any period designated by the Committee during which (i) the Performance Measures applicable to an Award shall be measured and (ii) the conditions to vesting applicable to an Award shall remain in effect.
(w)“Prior Plans” shall mean the Valley National Bancorp 2016 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and the 2021 Incentive Compensation Plan, each as amended from time to time.
(x)“Restricted Stock” shall mean Shares which are subject to a Restriction Period and which may, in addition thereto, be subject to the attainment of specified Performance Measures within a specified Performance Period.
(y)“Restricted Stock Award” shall mean an award of Restricted Stock under the Plan.
(z)“Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean a right to receive one Share or, in lieu thereof, the Fair Market Value of such Share in cash, which shall be contingent upon the expiration of a specified Restriction Period and which may, in addition thereto, be contingent upon the attainment of specified Performance Measures within a specified Performance Period.
(aa)“Restricted Stock Unit Award” shall mean an award of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan.
(ab)“Restriction Period” shall mean any period designated by the Committee during which (i) the Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or disposed of, except as provided in the Plan or the Agreement relating to such Award, or (ii) the conditions to vesting applicable to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall remain in effect.
(ac)“Retirement” with respect to employees means, except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, the retirement from active employment with the Company, but only if such person meets one of the requirements contained below in either clause (i), clause (ii) or clause (iii).
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(i) the person has a minimum combined total of Years of Service and age equal to eighty (80); and the person is age fifty-five (55) or older; or
(ii) the person has a minimum of five (5) Years of Service; and the person is age sixty-five (65) or older; or
(iii) the person has a minimum of ten (10) Years of Service; and the person is age sixty (60) or older, and
in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) only if the person provides thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company of the retirement.
For Non-Employee Directors, the term “Retirement” shall mean the date on which the Director ceases to be a member of the Board after both attaining age sixty-five (65) and completing at least five (5) years of service on the Board.
(ad)“SAR” shall mean a stock appreciation right which may be a Free-Standing SAR or a Tandem SAR.
(ae)“Shares” shall mean the shares of the Company’s Common Stock. If there has been an adjustment or substitution pursuant to Section 7.6, the term “Shares” shall also include any shares of stock or other securities that are substituted for the Common Stock or into which the Common Stock is adjusted pursuant to Section 7.6.
(af)“Stock Award” shall mean a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award or Unrestricted Stock Award.
(ag)“Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or similar entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, an equity interest possessing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the total outstanding equity interests of such entity.
(ah)“Substitute Award” shall mean an Award granted under the Plan upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by a company or other entity in connection with a corporate transaction, including a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock.
(ai)“Surviving Corporation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.7(b).
(aj)“Tandem SAR” shall mean an SAR which is granted in tandem with, or by reference to, an option (including a Nonqualified Stock Option granted prior to the date of grant of the SAR), which entitles the holder thereof to receive, upon exercise of such SAR and surrender for cancellation of all or a portion of such option, Shares (which may be Restricted Stock) or, to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement, cash or a combination thereof, with an aggregate value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over the base price of such SAR, multiplied by the number of Shares subject to such option, or portion thereof, which is surrendered.
(ak)“Tax Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
(al)“Ten Percent Holder” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).
(am)“Unrestricted Stock” shall mean Shares which are not subject to a Restriction Period or Performance Measures.
(an)“Unrestricted Stock Award” shall mean an Award of Unrestricted Stock under the Plan.
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(ao)“Years of Service” shall mean each twelve consecutive month period commencing on the participant’s employment date, after which he or she remains employed by the Company or an affiliate. Partial years of service will not be considered. For the avoidance of doubt, Years of Service for an individual who becomes an employee in connection with an asset or stock purchase, merger, or other corporate transaction involving his or her prior employer (an “Acquired Entity”) will not include the period of employment with the Acquired Entity.
1.3.Administration. This Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have full power and authority in its sole discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan and subject to such orders or resolutions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as may from time to time be adopted by the Board, to: (i) select eligible persons to whom Awards may from time to time be granted; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, to be granted to each participant; (iii) determine the number of Shares or dollar value to be covered by each Award; (iv) determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, Shares, or other property; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other property, and other amounts payable with respect to an Award made under the Plan shall be deferred, either automatically or at the election of the participant; (vii) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, Awards; (viii) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances any Award shall be canceled or suspended; (ix) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement entered into under or in connection with the Plan, including any Award Agreement; (x) correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner, and to the extent, that the Committee shall deem desirable to carry it into effect; (xi) establish such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (xii) determine whether any Award (other than a Stock Option or SAR) will have dividend equivalents; and (xiii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for administration of the Plan.
The Committee shall in its sole discretion, subject to the terms of the Plan, interpret the Plan and the application thereof, establish rules and regulations it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan and may impose, incidental to the grant of an Award, conditions with respect to the Award, such as limiting competitive employment or other activities. All such interpretations, rules, regulations and conditions shall be conclusive and binding on any person receiving or claiming Awards.
The Committee may delegate some or all of its power and authority hereunder to the Board or, subject to applicable law, to the Chief Executive Officer or such other executive officer of the Company as the Committee deems appropriate; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate its power and authority to the Chief Executive Officer or other executive officer of the Company with regard to the selection for participation in the Plan of an officer, director or other person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or decisions concerning the timing, pricing or amount of an Award to such an officer, director or other person.
No member of the Board or Committee, and neither the Chief Executive Officer nor any other executive officer to whom the Committee delegates any of its power and authority hereunder, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in connection with the Plan in good faith, and the members of the Board and the Committee and the Chief Executive Officer or other executive officer shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including attorneys’ fees) arising therefrom to the full
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extent permitted by law and under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that may be in effect from time to time.
1.4.Eligibility. Participants in the Plan shall consist of such officers, other employees, and Non-Employee Directors of the Company and persons expected to become officers, other employees, and Non-Employee Directors of the Company as the Committee in its sole discretion may select from time to time. The Committee’s selection of a person to participate in the Plan at any time shall not require the Committee to select such person to participate in the Plan at any other time. Except as provided otherwise in an Award Agreement, for purposes of the Plan, references to employment by the Company shall also mean employment by a Subsidiary, and references to employment shall include service as a Non-Employee Director. The Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, the extent to which a participant shall be considered employed during any periods during which such participant is on a leave of absence.
1.5.Treatment of Dividends and Dividend Equivalents on Unvested Awards. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, with respect to any Award that provides for or includes a right to dividends or dividend equivalents, if dividends are declared during the period that an equity Award is outstanding, such dividends (or dividend equivalents) shall either (i) not be paid or credited with respect to such Award or (ii) be accumulated but remain subject to vesting requirement(s) to the same extent as the applicable Award and shall only be paid at the time or times such vesting requirement(s) are satisfied.
II.SHARES AVAILABLE
2.1Initial Share Reserve. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7.6 below, 14,500,000 Shares shall initially be available for all Awards under the Plan, less one (1) Share for every one (1) Share granted under any Prior Plan after December 31, 2022. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7.6, no more than 7,500,000 Shares in the aggregate may be issued under the Plan in connection with Incentive Stock Options. After the effective date of the Plan (as provided in Section 7.1), no awards may be granted under any Prior Plan.
2.2Permitted Addbacks to Share Reserve. If (i) any Shares subject to an Award are forfeited, an Award expires or an Award is settled for cash (in whole or in part), or (ii) after December 31, 2022 any Shares subject to an award under the Prior Plans are forfeited, an award under the Prior Plans expires or is settled for cash (in whole or in part), then in each such case the Shares subject to such Award or award under the Prior Plans shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, be added to the shares available for Awards under Section 2.1 of the Plan. In the event that withholding tax liabilities arising from an Award other than an Option or SAR or, after December 31, 2022, an award other than an option or stock appreciation right under the Prior Plans are satisfied by the tendering of Shares (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of Shares by the Company, the Shares so tendered or withheld shall be added to the Shares available for Awards under Section 2.1 of the Plan; provided, however, that Shares that again become available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to the preceding clause (ii) shall not increase the numbers of shares that may be granted under the Plan in connection with Incentive Stock Options.
2.3No Recycling of Options or SARs. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares shall not be added to the shares authorized for grant under Section 2.1: (i) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the purchase price of an Option or, after December 31, 2022, an option under the Prior Plans, (ii) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to Options or SARs or, after December 31, 2022, options or stock appreciation rights under the Prior Plans, (iii)
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Shares subject to a SAR or, after December 31, 2022, a stock appreciation right under the Prior Plans that are not issued in connection with its stock settlement on exercise thereof, and (iv) Shares reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of Options or, after December 31, 2022, options under the Prior Plans.
2.4Substitute Awards. Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan, nor shall Shares subject to a Substitute Award be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by shareholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan (and Shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided in Section 2.2 above); provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Employees or Non-Employee Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.
2.5Source of Shares. Shares of Common Stock to be delivered under the Plan shall be made available from authorized and unissued Shares, authorized and issued Shares reacquired and held as treasury shares or otherwise or a combination thereof.
2.6Director Limit. The maximum number of Shares subject to Awards granted during a single fiscal year to any Non-Employee Director, taken together with any cash fees paid during the fiscal year to the Non-Employee Director in respect of such Director’s service as a member of the Board during such year (including service as a member or chair of any committees of the Board), shall not exceed $500,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes).
III.STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
3.1.Stock Options. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant options to purchase Shares to such eligible participants as may be selected by the Committee. Each option, or portion thereof, that is not an Incentive Stock Option shall be a Nonqualified Stock Option. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of grant) of Shares with respect to which options designated as Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year (under the Plan or any other plan of the Company, or any parent or Subsidiary) exceeds the amount (currently $100,000) established by the Code, such options shall constitute Nonqualified Stock Options.
Options shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable:
(a)Number of Shares and Purchase Price. The number of Shares subject to an option and the purchase price per share purchasable upon exercise of the option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that the purchase price per share purchasable upon exercise of an option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such option;
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provided further, that if an Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any person who, at the time such option is granted, owns capital stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of the Company (or of any parent or Subsidiary) (a “Ten Percent Holder”), the purchase price per share shall not be less than the price (currently 110% of Fair Market Value) required by the Code in order to constitute an Incentive Stock Option.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an option that is a Substitute Award, the purchase price per share of the shares subject to such option may be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant, provided, that the excess of: (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (b) the aggregate purchase price thereof does not exceed the excess of: (x) the aggregate fair market value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award, such fair market value to be determined by the Committee) of the shares of the predecessor company or other entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate purchase price of such shares.
(b)Option Period and Exercisability. The period during which an option may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that no option shall be exercised later than ten (10) years after its date of grant; provided further, that if an Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to a Ten Percent Holder, such option shall not be exercised later than five years after its date of grant; provided, further, that with respect to a Nonqualified Stock Option, if the expiration date of such option occurs during any period when the participant is prohibited from trading in securities of the Company pursuant to the Company’s insider trading policy or other policy of the Company or during a period when the exercise of such option would violate applicable securities laws (each, a “Blackout Period”), then the period during which such option shall be exercisable shall be extended to the date that is 30 days after the expiration of such Blackout Period (to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code); provided, further that no extension will be made if the purchase price of such Option at the date the initial term would otherwise expire is above the Fair Market Value. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, establish Performance Measures which shall be satisfied or met as a condition to the grant of an option or to the exercisability of all or a portion of an option. The Committee shall determine whether an option shall become exercisable in cumulative or non-cumulative installments and in part or in full at any time. An exercisable option, or portion thereof, may be exercised only with respect to whole Shares.
(c)Method of Exercise. An option may be exercised (i) by giving written notice to the Company specifying the number of whole Shares to be purchased and accompanying such notice with payment therefor in full (or arrangement made for such payment to the Company’s satisfaction) either (A) in cash, (B) by delivery (either actual delivery or by attestation procedures established by the Company) of Shares having a Fair Market Value, determined as of the date of exercise, equal to the aggregate purchase price payable by reason of such exercise, (C) authorizing the Company to withhold whole Shares which would otherwise be delivered having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the date of exercise, equal to the amount necessary to satisfy such obligation, (D) in cash by a broker-dealer acceptable to the Company to whom the optionee has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise or (E) a combination of (A), (B) and (C), in each case to the extent set forth in the Agreement relating to the option, (ii) if applicable, by surrendering to the Company any Tandem SARs which are cancelled by reason of the exercise of the option and (iii) by executing such documents as the Company may reasonably request. No Shares shall be issued and no certificate representing Shares shall be delivered until the full purchase
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price therefor and any withholding taxes thereon, as described in Section 7.4, have been paid (or arrangement made for such payment to the Company’s satisfaction).
3.2.Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant SARs to such eligible persons as may be selected by the Committee. The Agreement relating to an SAR shall specify whether the SAR is a Tandem SAR or a Free-Standing SAR.
SARs shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable:
(a)Number of SARs and Base Price. The number of SARs subject to an Award shall be determined by the Committee. Any Tandem SAR related to an Incentive Stock Option shall be granted at the same time that such Incentive Stock Option is granted. The base price of a Tandem SAR shall be the purchase price per share of the related option. The base price of a Free-Standing SAR shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that such base price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such SAR (or, if earlier, the date of grant of the option for which the SAR is exchanged or substituted).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an SAR that is a Substitute Award, the base price per share of the shares subject to such SAR may be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant, provided, that the excess of: (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (b) the aggregate base price thereof does not exceed the excess of: (x) the aggregate fair market value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award, such fair market value to be determined by the Committee) of the shares of the predecessor company or other entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate base price of such shares.
(b)Exercise Period and Exercisability. The period for the exercise of an SAR shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that no SAR shall be exercised later than ten (10) years after its date of grant; provided further, that no Tandem SAR shall be exercised later than the expiration, cancellation, forfeiture or other termination of the related option; provided, further, if the expiration date of an SAR occurs during any Blackout Period, then the period during which such SAR shall be exercisable shall be extended to the date that is 30 days after the expiration of such Blackout Period (to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code); provided, further that no extension will be made if the base price of such SAR at the date the initial term would otherwise expire is above the Fair Market Value. The Committee may, in its discretion, establish Performance Measures which shall be satisfied or met as a condition to the grant of an SAR or to the exercisability of all or a portion of an SAR. The Committee shall determine whether an SAR may be exercised in cumulative or non-cumulative installments and in part or in full at any time. An exercisable SAR, or portion thereof, may be exercised, in the case of a Tandem SAR, only with respect to whole Shares and, in the case of a Free-Standing SAR, only with respect to a whole number of SARs. If an SAR is exercised for shares of Restricted Stock, a certificate or certificates representing such Restricted Stock shall be issued in accordance with Section 4.3(c), or such shares shall be transferred to the holder in book entry form with restrictions on the shares duly noted, and the holder of such Restricted Stock shall have such rights of a shareholder of the Company as determined pursuant to Section 4.3(c). Prior to the exercise of a stock-settled SAR, the
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holder of such SAR shall have no rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the Shares subject to such SAR.
(c)Method of Exercise. A Tandem SAR may be exercised (i) by giving written notice to the Company specifying the number of whole SARs which are being exercised, (ii) by surrendering to the Company any options which are cancelled by reason of the exercise of the Tandem SAR and (iii) by executing such documents as the Company may reasonably request. A Free-Standing SAR may be exercised (A) by giving written notice to the Company specifying the whole number of SARs which are being exercised and (B) by executing such documents as the Company may reasonably request. No Shares shall be issued and no certificate representing Shares shall be delivered until any withholding taxes thereon, as described in Section 7.4, have been paid (or arrangement made for such payment to the Company’s satisfaction).
3.3.Termination of Employment or Service. All of the terms relating to the exercise, cancellation or other disposition of an option or SAR upon a termination of employment with or service to the Company of the holder of such option or SAR, as the case may be, whether by reason of disability, Retirement, death or any other reason, shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
3.4.No Repricing. The Committee may not without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, (i) reduce the purchase price or base price of any previously granted option or SAR, (ii) cancel any previously granted option or SAR in exchange for another option or SAR with a lower purchase price or base price or (iii) cancel any previously granted option or SAR in exchange for cash or another Award if the purchase price of such option or the base price of such SAR exceeds the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of such cancellation, in each case, other than in connection with a Change in Control or the adjustment provisions set forth in Section 7.6.
3.5.Dividend Equivalents. Notwithstanding anything in an Award Agreement to the contrary, the holder of an option or SAR shall not be entitled to receive dividend equivalents with respect to the number of Shares subject to such option or SAR.
IV.STOCK AWARDS
3.1.Stock Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Stock Awards to such eligible persons as may be selected by the Committee. The Agreement relating to a Stock Award shall specify whether the Stock Award is a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award or Unrestricted Stock Award.
3.2.Terms of Unrestricted Stock Awards. The number of Shares subject to an Unrestricted Stock Award shall be determined by the Committee. Unrestricted Stock Awards shall not be subject to any Restriction Periods or Performance Measures. Upon the grant of an Unrestricted Stock Award, subject to the Company’s right to require payment of any taxes in accordance with Section 7.4, a certificate or certificates evidencing ownership of the requisite number of Shares shall be delivered to the holder of such Award or such shares shall be transferred to the holder in book entry form.
3.3.Terms of Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted Stock Awards shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable.
(a)Number of Shares and Other Terms. The number of Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award and the Restriction Period, Performance Period (if any)
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and Performance Measures (if any) applicable to a Restricted Stock Award shall be determined by the Committee.
(b)Vesting and Forfeiture. The Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Award shall provide, in the manner determined by the Committee, in its discretion, and subject to the provisions of the Plan, for the vesting of the Shares subject to such Award (i) if the holder of such Award remains continuously in the employment of the Company during the specified Restriction Period and (ii) if specified Performance Measures (if any) are satisfied or met during a specified Performance Period, and for the forfeiture of the Shares subject to such Award (x) if the holder of such Award does not remain continuously in the employment of the Company during the specified Restriction Period or (y) if specified Performance Measures (if any) are not satisfied or met during a specified Performance Period.
(c)Stock Issuance. During the Restriction Period, the shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by a custodian in book entry form with restrictions on such shares duly noted or, alternatively, a certificate or certificates representing a Restricted Stock Award shall be registered in the holder’s name and may bear a legend, in addition to any legend which may be required pursuant to Section 7.5, indicating that the ownership of the Shares represented by such certificate is subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions of the Plan and the Agreement relating to the Restricted Stock Award. All such certificates shall be deposited with the Company, together with stock powers or other instruments of assignment (including a power of attorney), each endorsed in blank with a guarantee of signature if deemed necessary or appropriate, which would permit transfer to the Company of all or a portion of the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award in the event such Award is forfeited in whole or in part. Upon termination of any applicable Restriction Period (and the satisfaction or attainment of applicable Performance Measures), subject to the Company’s right to require payment of any taxes in accordance with Section 7.4, the restrictions shall be removed from the requisite number of any Shares that are held in book entry form, and all certificates evidencing ownership of the requisite number of Shares shall be delivered to the holder of such Award.
(d)Rights with Respect to Restricted Stock Awards. Unless otherwise set forth in the Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Award, and subject to the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award, the holder of such Award shall have all rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, but not limited to, voting rights, the right to receive dividends subject to Section 1.5, and the right to participate in any capital adjustment applicable to all holders of Common Stock.
3.4.Terms of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable.
(a)Number of Shares and Other Terms. The number of Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award and the Restriction Period, Performance Period (if any) and Performance Measures (if any) applicable to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be determined by the Committee.
(b)Vesting and Forfeiture. The Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall provide, in the manner determined by the Committee, in its discretion, and subject to the provisions of the Plan, for the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award (i) if the holder of such Award remains continuously in the employment of the Company during the specified Restriction Period and (ii) if specified Performance Measures (if any) are satisfied or met in whole or in part
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during a specified Performance Period, and for the forfeiture of the Shares subject to such Award (x) if the holder of such Award does not remain continuously in the employment of the Company during the specified Restriction Period or (y) if specified Performance Measures (if any) are not satisfied or met in whole or in part during a specified Performance Period.
(c)Settlement of Vested Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The Agreement relating to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall specify (i) whether such Award may be settled in Shares or cash or a combination thereof and (ii) subject to Section 1.5 , whether the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive dividend equivalents, and, if determined by the Committee, interest on, or the deemed reinvestment of, any deferred dividend equivalents, with respect to the number of Shares subject to such Award. Prior to the settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the holder of such Award shall have no rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the Shares subject to such Award.
3.5.Termination of Employment or Service. All of the terms relating to the satisfaction of Performance Measures and the termination of the Restriction Period or Performance Period relating to a Stock Award, or any forfeiture and cancellation of such Award upon a termination of employment with or service to the Company of the holder of such Award, whether by reason of disability, Retirement, death or any other reason, shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
V.PERFORMANCE AWARDS
3.1.Performance Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Performance Awards to such eligible persons as may be selected by the Committee.
3.2.Terms of Performance Awards. Performance Awards shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable.
(a)Value of Performance Awards and Performance Measures. The method of determining the value of the Performance Award and the Performance Measures and Performance Period applicable to a Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee.
(b)Vesting and Forfeiture. The Agreement relating to a Performance Award shall provide, in the manner determined by the Committee, in its discretion, and subject to the provisions of the Plan, for the vesting of such Performance Award if the specified Performance Measures are satisfied or met in whole or in part during the specified Performance Period and for the forfeiture of such Award if the specified Performance Measures are not satisfied or met in whole or in part during the specified Performance Period.
(c)Settlement of Vested Performance Awards. The Agreement relating to a Performance Award shall specify whether such Award may be settled in Shares (including shares of Restricted Stock) or cash or a combination thereof. If a Performance Award is settled in shares of Restricted Stock, such shares of Restricted Stock shall be issued to the holder in book entry form or a certificate or certificates representing such Restricted Stock shall be issued in accordance with Section 4.3(c) and the holder of such Restricted Stock shall have such rights as a shareholder of the Company as determined pursuant to Section 4.3(d). Prior to the settlement of a Performance Award in Shares, including Restricted Stock, the holder of such Award shall have no rights as a shareholder of the Company.
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3.3.Termination of Employment or Service. All of the terms relating to the satisfaction of Performance Measures and the termination of the Performance Period relating to a Performance Award, or any forfeiture and cancellation of such Award upon a termination of employment with or service to the Company of the holder of such Award, whether by reason of disability, Retirement, death or any other reason, shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
VI.OTHER CASH-BASED AWARDS
3.1.Other Cash-Based Awards. The Committee may grant cash-based Awards to such eligible persons as may be selected by the Committee that provide the opportunity to earn or receive cash payments. Other Cash-Based Awards may be granted as an element of or a supplement to any other Award under the Plan or as a stand-alone Award. The terms and conditions relating to Other Cash-Based Awards shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
VII.GENERAL
3.1.Effective Date and Term of Plan. This Plan shall be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for approval and, if approved, shall become effective as of the date of such shareholder approval. This Plan shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the date on which the Company’s shareholders approve the Plan, unless earlier terminated by the Board; provided, however, that no Incentive Stock Options shall be granted after the tenth anniversary of the date on which the Plan was approved by the Board. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the terms or conditions of any Award granted prior to termination. Awards hereunder may be made at any time prior to the termination of the Plan.
3.2.Amendments. The Board may amend the Plan as it shall deem advisable; provided, however, that no amendment to the Plan shall be effective without the approval of the Company’s shareholders if (i) shareholder approval is required by applicable law, rule or regulation, including any applicable rule of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, or (ii) such amendment seeks to modify Section 3.4 hereof; provided further, that no amendment may materially impair the rights of a holder of an outstanding Award without the consent of such holder.
3.3.Non-Transferability. No Award shall be transferable other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to beneficiary designation procedures approved by the Company or, to the extent expressly permitted in the Agreement relating to such Award, to the holder’s family members, a trust or entity established by the holder for estate planning purposes or a charitable organization designated by the holder, in each case, without consideration. Except to the extent permitted by the foregoing sentence or the Agreement relating to an Award, each Award may be exercised or settled during the holder’s lifetime only by the holder or the holder’s legal representative or similar person. Except as permitted by the second preceding sentence, no Award may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise disposed of (whether by operation of law or otherwise) or be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt to so sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any Award, such Award and all rights thereunder shall immediately become null and void.
3.4.Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right to require, prior to the issuance or delivery of any Shares or the payment of any cash pursuant to an Award made hereunder, payment by the holder of such Award of any federal, state, local or other taxes which may be required to be withheld or paid in connection with such Award. An Agreement may provide that (i) the Company shall withhold whole Shares which would otherwise be delivered to a holder, having an aggregate Fair Market Value determined
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as of the date the obligation to withhold or pay taxes arises in connection with an Award (the “Tax Date”), or withhold an amount of cash which would otherwise be payable to a holder, in the amount necessary to satisfy any such obligation or (ii) the holder may satisfy any such obligation by any of the following means: (A) a cash payment to the Company; (B) delivery (either actual delivery or by attestation procedures established by the Company) to the Company of previously owned whole Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the Tax Date, equal to the amount necessary to satisfy any such obligation; (C) authorizing the Company to withhold whole Shares which would otherwise be delivered having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the Tax Date, or withhold an amount of cash which would otherwise be payable to a holder, equal to the amount necessary to satisfy any such obligation; (D) in the case of the exercise of an option, a cash payment by a broker-dealer acceptable to the Company to whom the optionee has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise or (E) any combination of (A), (B) and (C), in each case to the extent set forth in the Agreement relating to the Award.
3.5.Restrictions on Shares. Each Award made hereunder shall be subject to the requirement that if at any time the Company determines that the listing, registration or qualification of the Shares subject to such Award upon any securities exchange or under any law, or the consent or approval of any governmental body, or the taking of any other action is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the delivery of shares thereunder, such shares shall not be delivered unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval or other action shall have been effected or obtained, free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company. The Company may require that certificates evidencing Shares delivered pursuant to any Award made hereunder bear a legend indicating that the sale, transfer or other disposition thereof by the holder is prohibited except in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder and may impose a similar restriction on book entry shares.
3.6.Adjustment. In the event of any equity restructuring that causes the per share value of Shares to change, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spinoff, rights offering or recapitalization through an extraordinary cash dividend, the number and class of securities available under the Plan, the terms of each outstanding option and SAR (including the number and class of securities subject to each outstanding option or SAR and the purchase price or base price per share), the terms of each outstanding Restricted Stock Award and Restricted Stock Unit Award (including the number and class of securities subject thereto) and the terms of each outstanding Performance Award (including the number and class of securities subject thereto), shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee, such adjustments to be made in the case of outstanding options and SARs without an increase in the aggregate purchase price or base price and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. In the event of any other change in corporate capitalization, including a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or partial or complete liquidation of the Company, such equitable adjustments described in the foregoing sentence may be made as determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights of participants. In either case, the decision of the Committee regarding any such adjustment shall be final, binding and conclusive.
3.7.Change in Control
(a)Subject to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control, the Board (as constituted prior to such Change in Control) may, in its discretion:
(i)provide that (A) some or all outstanding options and SARs shall become exercisable in full or in part, either immediately or upon a subsequent termination of employment, (B) the Restriction Period applicable to some
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or all outstanding Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall lapse in full or in part, either immediately or upon a subsequent termination of employment, (C) the Performance Period applicable to some or all outstanding Awards shall lapse in full or in part, and (D) the Performance Measures applicable to some or all outstanding Awards shall be deemed to be satisfied at the target or any other level;
(ii)require that shares of stock of the corporation resulting from such Change in Control, or a parent corporation thereof, be substituted for some or all of the Shares subject to an outstanding Award, with an appropriate and equitable adjustment to such Award as shall be determined by the Board in accordance with Section 7.6; and/or
(iii)require outstanding Awards, in whole or in part, to be surrendered to the Company by the holder, and to be immediately cancelled by the Company, and to provide for the holder to receive (A) a cash payment in an amount equal to (1) in the case of an option or an SAR, the aggregate number of Shares then subject to the portion of such option or SAR surrendered multiplied by the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the date of the Change in Control, over the purchase price or base price per Share subject to such option or SAR, (2) in the case of a Stock Award or a Performance Award denominated in Shares, the aggregate number of Shares then subject to the portion of such Award surrendered to the extent the Performance Measures applicable to such Award have been satisfied or are deemed satisfied pursuant to Section 7.7(a)(i), multiplied by the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the date of the Change in Control, and (3) in the case of a Performance Award denominated in cash, the value of the Performance Award then subject to the portion of such Award surrendered to the extent the Performance Measures applicable to such Award have been satisfied or are deemed satisfied pursuant to Section 7.7(a)(i); (B) shares of capital stock of the corporation resulting from or succeeding to the business of the Company pursuant to such Change in Control, or a parent corporation thereof, having a fair market value not less than the amount determined under clause (A) above; or (C) a combination of the payment of cash pursuant to clause (A) above and the issuance of shares pursuant to clause (B) above.
(b)For purposes of the Plan, a “Change in Control” means, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the occurrence of any one of the following events:
(i)when any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than an affiliate of the Company or a Subsidiary or an employee benefit plan established or maintained by the Company, a Subsidiary or any of their respective affiliates, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities (a “Control Person”);
(ii) the consummation of (A) a transaction, other than a Non‑Control Transaction, pursuant to which the Company is merged with or into, or is consolidated with, or becomes the subsidiary of another corporation, (B) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or (C) a plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or
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(iii)if during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals (the “Continuing Directors”) who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof or, following a Non‑Control Transaction, a majority of the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation; provided that any individual whose election or nomination for election as a member of the Board (or, following a Non‑Control Transaction, the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation) was approved by a vote of at least two‑thirds of the Continuing Directors then in office shall be considered a Continuing Director.
For purposes of this paragraph: (I) the Company will be deemed to have become a subsidiary of another corporation if any other corporation (which term shall include, in addition to a corporation, a limited liability company, partnership, trust, or other organization) owns, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more of the total combined outstanding voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any successor to the Company; (II) “Non‑Control Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company is merged with or into, or is consolidated with, or becomes the subsidiary of another corporation pursuant to a definitive agreement providing that at least a majority of the directors of the Surviving Corporation immediately after the transaction are persons who were directors of the Company on the day before the first public announcement relating to the transaction; (III) “Surviving Corporation” means (A) in a transaction in which the Company becomes the subsidiary of another corporation, the ultimate parent entity of the Company or the Company’s successor, and (B) in any other transaction pursuant to which the Company is merged with or into another corporation, the surviving or resulting corporation in the merger or consolidation.
3.8.Deferrals. The Committee may determine that the delivery of Shares or the payment of cash, or a combination thereof, upon the exercise or settlement of all or a portion of any Award (other than Awards of Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options and SARs) made hereunder shall be deferred, or the Committee may, in its sole discretion, approve deferral elections made by holders of Awards. Deferrals shall be for such periods and upon such terms as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
3.9.No Right of Participation, Employment or Service. Unless otherwise set forth in an employment agreement, no person shall have any right to participate in the Plan. Neither the Plan nor any Award made hereunder shall confer upon any person any right to continued employment by or service with the Company, any Subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company or affect in any manner the right of the Company, any Subsidiary or any affiliate of the Company to terminate the employment or service of any person at any time without liability hereunder.
3.10.No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards 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.
3.11.Designation of Beneficiary. To the extent permitted by the Company, a holder of an Award may file with the Company a written designation of one or more persons as such holder’s beneficiary or beneficiaries (both primary and contingent) in the event of the holder’s death or incapacity. To the extent an outstanding option or SAR granted hereunder is exercisable, such beneficiary or beneficiaries shall be entitled to exercise such option or SAR pursuant to procedures prescribed by the Company. Each beneficiary designation shall become effective only when filed in writing with the
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Company during the holder’s lifetime on a form prescribed by the Company. The spouse of a married holder domiciled in a community property jurisdiction shall join in any designation of a beneficiary other than such spouse. The filing with the Company of a new beneficiary designation shall cancel all previously filed beneficiary designations. If a holder fails to designate a beneficiary, or if all designated beneficiaries of a holder predecease the holder, then each outstanding Award held by such holder, to the extent vested or exercisable, shall be payable to or may be exercised by such holder’s executor, administrator, legal representative or similar person.
3.12.Governing Law. This Plan, each Award hereunder and the related Agreement, and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant thereto, to the extent not otherwise governed by the Code or the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey and construed in accordance therewith without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws.
3.13.Foreign Employees. Without amending the Plan, the Committee may grant Awards to eligible persons who are foreign nationals and/or reside outside the U.S. on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may in the judgment of the Committee be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan and, in furtherance of such purposes the Committee may make such modifications, amendments, procedures, subplans and the like as may be necessary or advisable to comply with provisions of laws in other countries or jurisdictions in which the Company or its Subsidiaries operates or has employees.
3.14.Awards Subject to Clawback. The Awards granted under the Plan and any cash payment or Shares delivered pursuant to an Award are subject to forfeiture, recovery by the Company or other action pursuant to the applicable Award Agreement or any clawback or recoupment policy which the Company may adopt from time to time, including without limitation any such policy which the Company has adopted under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and implementing rules and regulations thereunder, or as otherwise required by law.
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