EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm TFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION 2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TFS Financial Corporation 2008 Equity Incentive Plan

Exhibit 10.1

TFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION

2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Contents

 

 

Article 1. General

   1

Article 2. Awards

   1

Article 3. Shares Subject to Plan

   11

Article 4. Change in Control

   13

Article 5. Committee

   14

Article 6. Amendment and Termination

   15

Article 7. General Terms

   16

Article 8. Defined Terms; Construction

   19


TFS Financial Corporation

2008 Equity Incentive Plan

Article 1. General

Section 1.1         Purpose, Effective Date and Term.   The purpose of this TFS Financial Corporation 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to promote the long-term financial success of TFS Financial Corporation, a Federal corporation (the “Company”), and its Subsidiaries, including Third Federal Savings and Loan Association of Cleveland (the “Bank”), by providing a means to attract, retain and reward individuals who contribute to such success and to further align their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. The “Effective Date” of the Plan is May 29, 2008, the expected date of the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders. The Plan shall remain in effect as long as any Awards under it are outstanding; provided, however, that no Awards may be granted under the Plan after the ten-year anniversary of the Effective Date.

Section 1.2         Administration.   The Plan shall be administered by a committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”), in accordance with Section 5.1.

Section 1.3         Participation.   Each Employee or Director of, or service provider to, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company who is granted an Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan shall be a “Participant” in the Plan. Awards under the Plan shall be limited to Employees and Directors of, and service providers to, the Company or any Subsidiary.

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, in combination with another Award (or Awards), or in tandem whereby the exercise or vesting of one Award held by a Participant cancels another Award held by the Participant. 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 2.10, 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 include:

(a)         Stock Options.   A Stock Option means a grant under Section 2.2 which 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 Option”) that is not intended to be an ISO; provided, however, that no ISOs may be granted: (i) after the ten-year anniversary of the Effective Date; or (ii) to a non-Employee. 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 Option. In addition, any ISO granted under this Plan may be modified unilaterally by the Committee to disqualify such Stock Option from ISO treatment such that it shall become a Non-Qualified Option.

(b)         Stock Appreciation Rights.   A stock appreciation right (a “SAR”) means a grant under Section 2.2, which represents the right to receive in cash, shares of Stock or a combination of both (as shall be reflected in the Award Agreement) an amount equal to or based upon the excess of: (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock at the time of exercise, over (ii) the Exercise Price established by the Committee in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof.

(c)         Restricted Stock Awards.   A Restricted Stock Award means a grant of shares of Stock under Section 2.3 for no consideration or such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone

 

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or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan, subject to a vesting schedule or the satisfaction of market conditions or performance conditions.

(d)         Restricted Stock Unit Awards.   A Restricted Stock Unit Award means a grant under Section 2.4 denominated in shares of Stock that is similar to a Restricted Stock Award except no shares of Stock are actually awarded on the date of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award. A Restricted Stock Unit Award is subject to a vesting schedule or the satisfaction of market conditions or performance conditions and may be settled in shares of Stock, cash, or a combination of cash and shares of Stock based on the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Stock.

(e)         Performance Share Awards.   A Performance Share Award means a grant under Section 2.5(a) which is denominated in shares of Stock and represents the right to receive the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock upon satisfaction of performance-based conditions. A Performance Share Award may be settled in shares of Stock, cash, or a combination of cash and shares of Stock.

(f)         Performance Unit Awards.   A Performance Unit Award means a grant under Section 2.5(b) which is denominated in a specified dollar amount and represents the right to receive payment of a specified dollar amount (or a percentage of the specified dollar amount) upon satisfaction of performance-based conditions. A Performance Unit Award may be settled in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination of cash and shares of Stock.

(g)         Other Stock-Based Awards.   An Other-Stock Based Award means an equity-based or equity-related Award granted under Section 2.6 that is not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan.

(h)         Dividend Equivalent Rights.   A Dividend Equivalent Right means a grant under Section 2.7 hereof that entitles the Participant to receive the cash dividends that are or would be payable with respect to a share of Stock.

Section 2.2         Stock Options and SARs.

(a)         Grant of Stock Options and SARs.   Each Stock Option or SAR shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement which shall: (i) specify the number of Stock Options or SARs covered by the Award; (ii) specify the date of grant of the Stock Option or SAR; (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.

(b)         Terms and Conditions.   A Stock Option or SAR 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 or SAR expire later than ten (10) years after the date of its grant (or five (5) years with respect to ISOs granted to an Employee who is a 10% Stockholder). The “Exercise Price” of each Stock Option and SAR 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% Stockholder; provided further, that the Exercise Price may be higher or lower in the case of Stock Options or SARs granted in replacement of existing Awards held by an Employee or Director of, or service provider to, an acquired entity. The payment of the Exercise Price 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 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) by personal, certified or cashiers’ check; (iv) by other property deemed acceptable by the Committee; or (v) by any combination thereof. The total number of shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option or a SAR shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

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Section 2.3         Restricted Stock Awards.

(a)         Grant of Restricted Stock Awards.   Each Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement which 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 Services 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 shall be either: (x) registered in the name of the Participant and held by 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 TFS Financial Corporation dated [Date], made pursuant to the terms of the TFS Financial Corporation 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, copies of which are on file at the executive offices of TFS Financial Corporation, 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 Restricted Stock Awards in any other approved format (e.g. electronically) in order to facilitate the paperless transfer of such Awards. In the event Restricted Stock Awards are not issued in certificate form, the Company and the transfer agent shall maintain appropriate bookkeeping entries that evidence Participants’ ownership of such Awards. Restricted Stock Awards that are not issued in certificate form shall be subject to the same terms and conditions of this Plan as certificated shares, including the restrictions on transferability and the requirement that the Participant execute a stock power in favor of the Company, until the satisfaction of the conditions to which the Restricted Stock Award is subject.

(b)         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 dividends or distributions declared and paid with respect to shares of Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Award, other than a stock dividend consisting of shares of Stock, shall be immediately distributed to the Participant. If the Committee determines to delay the distribution of dividends to a Participant until the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award, the Committee shall cause the dividend (and any earnings thereon) to be distributed to the Participant no later than two and one-half months following the date on which the Restricted Stock Award vests.

(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 associated with the shares of Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Award shall be exercised by the Participant in his or her discretion.

(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 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 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 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 Stock shall not be tendered.

 

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Section 2.4         Restricted Stock Unit Awards.

(a)         Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Awards.   Each Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement which shall: (i) specify the number of Restricted Stock Units covered by the Award; (ii) specify the date of grant of the Restricted Stock Units; (iii) specify the vesting period or market conditions or performance conditions that must be satisfied in order to vest in the Award; and (iv) contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan, including the effect of termination of a Participant’s employment or Services with the Company, as the Committee may, in its discretion, prescribe.

(b)         Terms and Conditions.   Each Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(i)         A Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be similar to Restricted Stock Award except that no shares of Stock are actually awarded to the recipient on the date of grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Restriction Period (defined below), the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, and such other provisions, including the effect of termination of a Participant’s employment or Service with the Company, as the Committee shall determine. The Committee shall impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any Restricted Stock Unit Award granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, a requirement that Participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each Restricted Stock Unit, time-based restrictions and vesting following the attainment of performance measures set forth in Section 2.5(c) hereof, restrictions under applicable laws or under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such shares may be listed, or holding requirements or sale restrictions placed by the Company upon vesting of such Restricted Stock Units.

(ii)         The Committee may, in connection with the grant of Restricted Stock Units, designate them as “performance based compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), in which event it shall condition the vesting thereof upon the attainment of one or more performance measures set forth in Section 2.5(c) hereof. Regardless of whether Restricted Stock Units are subject to the attainment of one or more performance measures, the Committee may also condition the vesting thereof upon the continued Service of the Participant. The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of Restricted Stock Units (including without limitation any applicable performance measures) need not be the same with respect to each recipient. An Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be settled as and when the Restricted Stock Units vest or, in the case of Restricted Stock Units subject to performance measures, after the Committee has certified that the performance goals have been satisfied.

(iii)         Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, during the period, if any, set by the Committee, commencing with the date of such Restricted Stock Unit Award for which such Participant’s continued Service is required (the “Restriction Period”), and until the later of (A) the expiration of the Restriction Period and (B) the date the applicable performance measures (if any) are satisfied, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber Restricted Stock Units.

(iv)         A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder.

Section 2.5         Performance Awards.

(a)         Grant of Performance Share Awards.   Each Performance Share Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement which shall: (i) specify the number of shares of Stock covered by the Performance Share Award; (ii) specify the date of grant of the Performance Share 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.

(i)         Terms and Conditions.   Performance Share Awards shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

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  (A) Subject to the limitations of the Plan, Performance Share Awards may be issued hereunder to Participants, for no cash consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The performance measures to be achieved during any performance period and the length of the performance period shall be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each Performance Share Award, provided that the performance period shall be no less than one year following the date of grant, and provided further that the Committee may at the time a Performance Share Award is granted specify a maximum amount payable in respect of such Award.

 

  (B) At the time it grants a Performance Share Award, the Committee shall establish one or more performance measures from those set forth in Section 2.5(c) hereof, to which the Performance Share Award is subject during a specified performance period, the attainment of which shall be a condition of the recipient’s right to receive payment under such Performance Share Award. The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of the Performance Share Award (including without limitation any applicable performance measures) need not be the same with respect to each recipient. If any one or more of the performance measures to which a Performance Share Award is subject is not attained during the performance period, such Performance Share Award shall be forfeited without consideration.

 

  (C) The performance levels to be achieved for each performance period and the amount of the Award to be distributed shall be conclusively determined by the Committee. Performance Share Awards shall be paid in a lump sum following the close of the performance period to which they relate and after the Committee certifies that the applicable performance levels have been satisfied. The grant of any Performance Share Award and the establishment of performance measures for Performance Share Awards to Covered Employees that are intended to be performance based compensation shall be made during the period required under Code Section 162(m) and shall comply with all applicable requirements of Code Section 162(m).

 

  (D) If the performance measures for a Performance Share Award have been attained, payment in respect of such Performance Share Award shall be made at the close of the performance period to which such Award relates and after the Committee has certified that performance measures have been satisfied. Performance Share Awards may be paid in cash, shares of Stock, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee at the time of payment. To the extent payment is to be made in shares of Stock, the Committee shall cause a stock certificate or evidence of book entry shares, together with all dividends and other distributions with respect thereto that have been accumulated, to be delivered, free of any restrictive legend other than as may be required by applicable law, to the recipient of the Performance Share Award. Prior to such delivery, the recipient of a Performance Share Award shall have no right to vote or to receive dividends, nor have any other rights with respect to the shares of Stock.

(b)         Grant of Performance Unit Awards.   Each Performance Unit Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement which shall: (i) specify the initial dollar value represented by the Performance Unit Award; (ii) specify the date of grant of the Performance Unit 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.

(i)         Terms and Conditions.   Performance Unit Awards shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

  (A)

Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may, in its discretion, grant Performance Unit Awards to Participants, which shall be denominated in a specified dollar amount and shall represent the right to receive payment of the specified dollar

 

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amount or a percentage (which may be more than 100%) of the specified dollar amount depending on the level of the applicable performance measure attained; provided, however, that the Committee may at the time a Performance Unit Award is granted specify a maximum amount payable in respect of such Award.

 

  (B) At the time it grants a Performance Unit Award, the Committee shall establish one or more performance measures from those set forth in Section 2.5(c) hereof, to which the Performance Unit Award is subject during a specified performance period, the attainment of which shall be a condition of the recipient’s right to receive payment under such Performance Unit Award. The conditions for granting or vesting and the other provisions of Performance Unit Award (including without limitation any applicable performance measures) need not be the same with respect to each recipient. If any one or more of the performance measures to which a Performance Unit Award is subject is not attained during the performance period, such Performance Unit Award shall be forfeited without consideration.

 

  (C) The performance levels to be achieved for each performance period and the amount of the Award to be distributed shall be conclusively determined by the Committee prior to any distribution. Performance Unit Awards shall be paid in a lump sum following the close of the performance period to which they relate. The grant of any Award and the establishment of performance measures for Awards to Covered Employees that are intended to be performance based compensation shall be made during the period required under Code Section 162(m) and shall comply with all applicable requirements of Code Section 162(m).

 

  (D) If the performance measures for a Performance Unit Award have been attained, payment in respect of such Performance Unit Award shall be made following the close of the performance period to which such Award relates; provided, that the Committee has first certified that the applicable performance measures have been satisfied. Such payment may be paid in cash, shares of Stock, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee at the time of payment. To the extent payment is to be made in shares of Stock, the Committee shall cause a stock certificate or evidence of book entry shares, together with all dividends and other distributions with respect thereto that have been accumulated, to be delivered, free of any restrictive legend other than as may be required by applicable law, to the recipient of the Performance Unit Award. Prior to such delivery, the recipient of a Performance Unit Award shall have no right to vote or to receive dividends, nor have any other rights with respect to the shares of Stock.

(c)         Performance Measures.   Performance measures under the Plan may be based on any one or more of the following:

 

  (i) basic earnings per Share;

 

  (ii) basic cash earnings per Share;

 

  (iii) diluted earnings per Share;

 

  (iv) diluted cash earnings per Share;

 

  (v) net income;

 

  (vi) cash earnings;

 

  (vii) net interest income;

 

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  (viii) non-interest income;

 

  (ix) general and administrative expense to average assets ratio;

 

  (x) cash general and administrative expense to average assets ratio;

 

  (xi) efficiency ratio;

 

  (xii) cash efficiency ratio;

 

  (xiii) return on average assets;

 

  (xiv) cash return on average assets;

 

  (xv) return on average stockholders’ equity;

 

  (xvi) cash return on average stockholders’ equity;

 

  (xvii) return on average tangible stockholders’ equity;

 

  (xviii) cash return on average tangible stockholders’ equity;

 

  (xix) core earnings;

 

  (xx) operating income;

 

  (xxi) operating efficiency ratio;

 

  (xxii) net interest rate spread;

 

  (xxiii) growth in assets, loans (including home equity lines of credit), or deposits;

 

  (xxiv) loan production volume;

 

  (xxv) non-performing loans;

 

  (xxvi) cash flow;

 

  (xxvii) capital preservation (core or risk-based);

 

  (xxviii) interest rate risk exposure – net portfolio value;

 

  (xxix) interest rate risk – sensitivity;

 

  (xxx) liquidity parameters;

 

  (xxxi) strategic business objectives, consisting of one or more objectives based upon meeting specified cost targets, business expansion goals, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures, or goals relating to capital raising and capital management;

 

  (xxxii) stock price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return); or

 

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  (xxxiii) any combination of the foregoing.

Performance goals may be expressed on an absolute and/or relative basis, or a before- or after-tax basis, may be based on or otherwise employ comparisons based on internal targets, the past performance of the Company and/or the past or current performance of other companies, may include or exclude any or all extraordinary or non-recurring items and may be applied on a consolidated basis or to individual business units, divisions or Subsidiaries.

(d)         Adjustments.   Pursuant to this Section 2.5, in certain circumstances the Committee may adjust performance measures; provided, however, no adjustment may be made with respect to an Award that is intended to be performance-based compensation within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), except to the extent the Committee exercises such negative discretion as is permitted under applicable law for purposes of an exception under Code Section 162(m) so that no adjustments or exercise of discretion results in an increase in compensation with respect to an Award intended to be performance-based compensation. 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 Subsidiaries 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. If a Participant is promoted, demoted or transferred to a different business unit during a performance period, the Committee may determine that the selected performance measures or applicable performance period are no longer appropriate, in which case, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may: (i) adjust, change or eliminate the performance measures or change the applicable performance period; or (ii) cause to be made a cash payment to the Participant in an amount determined by the Committee.

Section 2.6.         Other Stock-Based Awards.

(a)         Grant of Other Stock-Based Awards.   Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may, in its discretion, grant Other Stock-Based Awards to Participants. Other Stock-Based Awards shall be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, shares of Stock, as determined by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including without limitation, shares of Stock awarded purely as a “bonus” or other “incentive” whether or not subject to any restrictions or conditions, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into shares of Stock, purchase rights, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of shares of Stock or the value of securities of, or the performance of, specified Subsidiaries.

(b)         Terms and Conditions.

(i)         The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards, which may include attainment of performance measures in accordance with Section 2.5(c). Shares of Stock delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, shares of Stock, other Awards, or other property, as the Committee shall determine.

(ii)         Each Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement which shall: (A) specify the number of shares of Stock related to the Other Stock-Based Award; (B) specify the date of grant of the Other Stock-Based Award; (C) specify the vesting period or market conditions or performance conditions (including whether the Award constitutes performance-based compensation that is subject to a performance measure under Section 2.5(c) hereof) that must be satisfied in order to vest in the Award; (D) provide the extent to which the Participant may receive Other Stock-Based Awards following termination of the Participant’s employment or Service to the Company or any Subsidiary; and (E) contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee may, in its discretion, prescribe.

 

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Section 2.7         Dividend Equivalent Rights.

(a)         In connection with the grant of any equity-based or equity-related Award hereunder, the Committee may grant a Participant a Dividend Equivalent Right with respect to the shares of Stock covered by such Award. Such grant of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be included in the Award Agreement that evidences the grant of the related equity-based or equity-related Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Dividend Equivalent Rights may also be awarded on a free-standing basis in the sole discretion of the Committee. The Award Agreement entered into with the Participant shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the Dividend Equivalent Rights (other than free-standing Dividend Equivalent Rights) shall be subject to all the conditions and restrictions of the underlying Awards to which they relate.

(b)         Each Dividend Equivalent Right represents the right to receive cash dividends that are or would be payable with respect to the shares of Stock underlying the equity-based or equity-related Award to which the Dividend Equivalent Right relates. Dividend Equivalent Rights granted on a free-standing basis will entitle the holder to a right to receive a cash payment equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock. Upon payment of a dividend on shares of Stock of the Company, the Participant holding a Dividend Equivalent Right with respect to equity-based or equity-related Awards shall promptly receive from the Company the amount of cash equal to the amount of the cash dividend paid per share of Stock, multiplied by the number of shares of Stock underlying the related Award.

(c)         In the event an Award granted hereunder is forfeited for any reason, the related Dividend Equivalent Right shall also be forfeited. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, a Dividend Equivalent Right is payable only while the Participant is an Employee or a Director.

Section 2.8         Vesting of Awards.   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, Retirement, or Involuntary Termination of Employment following a Change in Control), and provided that Service as a director emeritus or advisor director shall constitute Service for purposes of vesting.

Section 2.9         Deferred Compensation.   If any Award would be considered “deferred compensation” as defined under Code Section 409A (“Deferred Compensation”), the Committee reserves the absolute right (including the right to delegate such 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 2.9 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. The following rules will apply to an Award which is determined to constitute Deferred Compensation:

(a)         The terms of any such Award, including any authority of the Company or the Committee and rights of a Participant with respect to the Award, shall be limited to those terms permitted under Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder;

(b)         If a Participant is permitted to elect to defer such Award or any payment under such Award, the election shall be permitted only at times in compliance with Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder;

(c)         The Company shall have no authority to accelerate or delay distributions relating to such Awards in excess of the authority permitted under Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder;

 

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(d)         Any distribution of an Award triggered by a Participant’s Termination of Service shall be made only at the time that the Participant has had a “Separation from Service” as defined in Section 8.1(pp)(V) or at such earlier time preceding a Termination of Service that there occurs another event triggering a distribution under the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement in compliance with Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder;

(e)         In the case of any distribution of such Award, the time and form of payment for such distribution will be specified in the Award Agreement; provided that, if the time and form of payment for such distribution is not otherwise specified in the Plan or an Award Agreement or other governing document, the distribution shall be made in one lump sum amount on March 15 in the calendar year following the calendar year at which the settlement of the Award is specified to occur, any applicable restriction lapses, or there is no longer a substantial risk of forfeiture applicable to such amounts; and

(f)         In the case of any such Award providing for a distribution upon the lapse of a substantial risk of forfeiture, the time and form of payment for such distribution will be specified in the Award Agreement; provided that, if the timing and form of payment of such distribution is not otherwise specified in the Plan or an Award Agreement or other governing document, the distribution shall be made in one lump sum amount on March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the substantial risk of forfeiture lapses.

Section 2.10         Prohibition Against Option Repricing.   Except for adjustments pursuant to Section 3.4, and reductions of the Exercise Price approved by the Company’s stockholders, 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 or SAR 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 replacement grants, or other means.

Section 2.11         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 this Plan and, in so doing, may make distinctions based upon, among other things, the cause of Termination of Service and type of Award. Unless the Committee shall specifically state otherwise at the time an Award is granted, all Awards to an Employee, Director or service provider shall vest immediately upon such individual’s death, Disability or Retirement, provided however, that Performance Share Awards, Performance Unit Award or other Awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m) (other than a Stock Option or SAR award unless subject to performance based criteria) will not immediately vest on Retirement. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, 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 Disability, Retirement, death or Termination for Cause, Stock Options and SARs shall be exercisable only as to those shares that were immediately exercisable by such Participant at the date of termination, and Stock Options and SARs may be exercised only for a period of three months following termination, and any Restricted Stock Awards and other Awards that have not vested as of the date of termination shall expire and be forfeited.

(b)         In the event of a Termination of Service for Cause, Restricted Stock Awards and all other Awards granted to a Participant under this Plan not exercised or vested shall expire and be forfeited.

(c)         Upon Termination of Service for reason of Disability or death, all Stock Options and SARs shall be exercisable as to all shares subject to an outstanding Award, whether or not then exercisable, and all other Awards, other than any Award that is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m), shall become fully vested at the date of Termination of Service. Options and SARs may be exercised for a period of one year following (or for the remaining term, if less) Termination of Service, provided, however, that no Stock Option shall be eligible for treatment as an ISO in the event such Stock Option is exercised more than one year following termination of employment due to Disability and provided, further, in order to obtain ISO treatment for Stock Options exercised by heirs or devisees of an optionee, the optionee’s death must have occurred while employed or within three (3) months of termination of employment.

(d)         Upon Termination of Service for reason of Retirement, all Stock Options and SARs shall be exercisable as to all shares subject to an outstanding Award (except those that are subject to performance-based

 

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criteria), whether or not then exercisable at the date of Termination of Service and for a period of one year (or for the remaining term, if less). All other Awards, other than those Awards the vesting of which is based on satisfaction of performance-based conditions subject to Code Section 162(m), shall become fully vested on Retirement.

(e)         The effect of a Change in Control on the vesting or exercisability of Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock Awards and other Awards is as set forth in Article 4 hereof.

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 shares currently authorized but unissued, currently held or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, subsequently acquired by the Company as treasury shares, including shares 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 this Plan shall be equal to Twenty-Three Million (23,000,000) shares of Stock. Any of such shares of Stock may be delivered pursuant to Stock Options (all of which may be granted as ISOs), and up to a maximum of Ten Million (10,000,000) shares of Stock may be issued pursuant to Restricted Stock Awards or other Awards settled in Stock; provided that shares of Stock used to fund Stock Options greater than Sixteen Million Two Hundred Eighty-Three Thousand Six Hundred Eighteen (16,283,618) shares of Stock must be obtained through stock repurchases, and, provided further, that shares of Stock used to fund Restricted Stock Awards and other Awards settled in Stock greater than Six Million Five Hundred Thirteen Thousand Four Hundred Forty-Eight (6,513,448) shares of Stock must be obtained through stock repurchases. The aggregate number of shares 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 3.4.

(b)         Computation of Shares Available.   For purposes of this Section 3.2 and in connection with the granting of a Stock Option or SAR (other than a tandem SAR), a Restricted Stock Award, or other Award settled in Stock, the number of shares of Stock available for the granting of additional Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, or other Awards settled in Stock shall be reduced by the number of shares of Stock in respect of which the Stock Option, SAR or Award is granted or denominated. 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, 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.

Section 3.3         Limitations on Grants to Individuals.

(a)         Options and SARs.   The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be subject to Stock Options or SARs granted to any one Participant during any calendar year shall be Four Million Nine Hundred Thousand (4,900,000). For purposes of this Section 3.3(a), if a Stock Option is granted in tandem with an SAR, such that the exercise of the Stock Option or SAR with respect to a share of Stock cancels the tandem SAR or Stock Option right, respectively, with respect to such share, the tandem Stock Option and SAR rights with respect to each share of Stock shall be counted as covering but one share of Stock for purposes of applying the limitations of this Section 3.3.

(b)         Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards.   The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be subject to Restricted Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Unit Awards described under Section 2.1(c) and (d) which are granted to any one Participant during any calendar year shall be Two Million Four Hundred Thousand (2,400,000).

 

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(c)         SARs Settled in Cash.   The maximum annual dollar amount that may be payable to a Participant pursuant to cash settled SARs described under Section 2.1(b) which are granted to any one Participant during any calendar year shall be Two Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,400,000).

(d)         Performance Units or Performance Share Awards.   The maximum aggregate Award of Performance Units or Performance Share Awards that a Participant may receive in any one plan year shall be [Two Million Four Hundred Thousand (2,400,000)] shares if such Award is payable in shares of Stock, or equal to the value of [Two Million Four Hundred Thousand (2,400,000)] shares of Stock if such Award is payable in cash or property other than shares of Stock, determined as of the earlier of vesting or the payout date, as applicable.

Section 3.4         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, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, or other 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, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, or other Awards and (iii) the Exercise Price of Stock Options and SARs. In addition, the Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, and other Awards (including, without limitation, cancellation of Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, and other Awards in exchange for the in-the-money value, if any, of the vested portion thereof, or substitution of Stock Options, SARs or Restricted Stock Awards and other 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. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any such adjustment to an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” shall conform to the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder then in effect.

(b)         Merger in which 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 or SARs 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 or SARs 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, 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 and SARs 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 or SAR being canceled.

Section 3.5         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 securities exchange or similar entity.

 

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(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 applicable law or the applicable rules of any stock exchange.

Article 4. Change in Control

Section 4.1         Consequence of a Change in Control.   Subject to the provisions of Section 3.4 (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 in terms of any Award Agreement:

(a)         At the time of an Involuntary Termination of Employment (as defined in Section 8.1 hereof) (or, as to a Director, Termination of Service as a Director) following a Change in Control, all Stock Options and SARs then held by the Participant shall become fully exercisable (subject to the expiration provisions otherwise applicable to the Stock Option or SAR).

(b)         At the time of an Involuntary Termination of Employment (as defined in Section 8.1 hereof) (or, as to a Director, Termination of Service as a Director) following a Change in Control, all Restricted Stock Awards described in Section 2.1(c), Restricted Stock Unit Awards described in Section 2.1(d), and Other Stock-Based Awards described in Section 2.1(g), shall be fully earned and vested immediately. Notwithstanding the above, any Awards the vesting of which is based on satisfaction of performance-based conditions will be vested as specified in subsection (c) hereof.

(c)         In the event of a Change in Control, any performance measure attached 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)         any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (a “Person”), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing and for all purposes of this Plan: (a) the term “Person” shall not include (1) the MHC, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (2) an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Plan), and any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any such plan (but only with respect to securities held under any such plan), or (3) a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Stock of the Company; (b) no Person shall be deemed the beneficial owner of any securities acquired by such Person in an Excluded Transaction; and (c) no Director or officer of the Company or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company (or any affiliate of any such Director or officer) shall, by reason of any or all of such Directors or officers acting in their capacities as such, be deemed to beneficially own any securities beneficially owned by any other such Director or officer (or any affiliate thereof); or

(b)         the Incumbent Directors cease, for any reason, to constitute a majority of the Whole Board; or

(c)         a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company and one or more other corporations or entities is consummated, other than a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction that is an Excluded Transaction, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company, or a sale, liquidation or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any bank Subsidiary of the Company is consummated; or

(d)         a tender offer is made for 25% or more of the outstanding Voting Securities of the Company and the stockholders owning beneficially or of record 25% or more of the outstanding Voting Securities of the Company have tendered or offered to sell their shares pursuant to such tender offer and such tendered shares have been accepted by the tender offeror; or

 

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(e)         a Potential Change in Control occurs, and the Board determines, pursuant to the vote of a majority of the Whole Board, with at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Incumbent Directors then in office voting in favor of such determination, to deem the Potential Change in Control to be a Change in Control for the purposes of this Plan.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired beneficial ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding common stock or Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Stock or Voting Securities by the Company, which by reducing the number of shares of Stock or Voting Securities then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares beneficially owned by the Subject Person; provided, however, that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of Stock or Voting Securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the beneficial owner of any additional Stock or Voting Securities which increases the percentage of the then outstanding Stock or Voting Securities beneficially owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur. In addition, and notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur as a result of or in connection with a second step conversion of the MHC, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. 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 members of the Compensation Committee of the Company which shall be comprised of not less than three 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 to make or administer Awards that are made to Participants who at the time of consideration for such Award: (i) are persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (ii) are reasonably anticipated to be Covered Employees during the term of the Award; provided, however, that at least two Disinterested Board Members participate in such discussions. The Board (or those members of the Board who are “independent directors” under the corporate governance statutes of any national securities exchange on which the Company lists its securities) may, in its discretion, take any action and exercise any power, privilege or discretion conferred on 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 Committee’s administration of the Plan shall be subject to the following:

(a)         Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will have the authority and discretion to select from among the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ Employees, Directors and service providers 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 covered by the Awards, to establish the terms, conditions, performance criteria, 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 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.

 

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(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.

Section 5.3         Delegation by Committee.   Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, the applicable rules of a stock exchange or the Plan, or as necessary to comply with the exemptive provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or Code Section 162(m), the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it, including: (a) delegating to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not “outside directors” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), the authority to grant Awards under the Plan to eligible persons who are not persons with respect to whom the Company wishes to comply with Code Section 162(m); or (b) delegating to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not “non-employee directors,” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3, the authority to grant Awards under the Plan to eligible persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The acts of such delegates shall be treated hereunder as acts of the Committee and such delegates shall report regularly to the Committee regarding the delegated duties and responsibilities and any Awards so granted. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.

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. 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 2.9, Section 3.4 and Section 6.2) may cause the Award to violate Code Section 409A, 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 3.4(c) materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan, or (d) expand the types of Stock Options or Awards provided under the Plan unless the amendment under (a), (b), (c) or (d) above is approved by the Company’s stockholders.

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 an 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 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

 

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of operations of the Company. By accepting an Award under this Plan, each Participant agrees and consents to any amendment made pursuant to this Section 6.2 or Section 2.9 to any Award granted under this 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 this Plan, or, having been so selected, to receive a future Award under this Plan.

(c)         No Rights as a Stockholder.   Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no Award under the Plan shall confer upon the holder thereof any rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the date on which the individual fulfills all conditions for receipt of such rights.

Section 7.2         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 Section 7.2(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) and SARs (other than SARs granted in tandem with ISOs) under the plan; 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. No other Awards shall be transferable prior to the time that such Awards vest in the Participant.

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 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 stockholders 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 or Stock Options otherwise than under the Plan or an arrangement that is or is not intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m), 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 each Participant. A copy of the Award Agreement, in any medium chosen by the Committee, shall be provided (or made available electronically) to the Participant.

 

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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 which the person acting on it considers pertinent and reliable, and signed, made or presented by the proper party or parties.

Section 7.8         Tax Withholding.   Where a Participant is entitled to receive cash or 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 which 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 shall have the right to direct the Company to satisfy the minimum required federal, state and local tax withholding by, (i) with respect to a Stock Option or SAR settled in stock, reducing the number of shares of Stock subject to the Stock Option or SAR (without issuance of such shares of Stock to the 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; (ii) with respect to a Restricted Stock Award, or any other Award settled in Stock, 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, or (iii) with respect to a SAR or other Award settled in cash, withholding an amount of cash. Provided there are no adverse accounting consequences to the Company (a requirement to have liability classification of an Award under SFAS 123(R) is an adverse consequence), a Participant who is not required to have taxes withheld may require the Company to withhold in accordance with the preceding sentence as if the Award were subject to minimum tax withholding requirements.

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 stock exchange) by a duly authorized officer of the Company or such Subsidiary.

Section 7.10         Successors.   All obligations of the Company under this 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 or 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 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.   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

 

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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.

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 Ohio without reference to principles of conflict of laws, except as superseded by applicable federal law. The federal and state courts located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, 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, and any such legal action as he shall bring 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 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 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 the U.S. mail or by overnight service to the Company shall be directed to the attention of the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and to the 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 shall not be limited to, termination of employment for cause, termination of the Participant’s provisions 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.

 

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(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 securities laws, any Participant who is subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 shall reimburse the Company the amount of any payment in settlement of an Award earned or accrued during the twelve (12) month period following the first public issuance of filing with the Unites States Securities and Exchange Commission (whichever just occurred) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement.

In addition, in the event of an accounting restatement, the Committee, in its sole and exclusive discretion, may require that any Participant reimburse the Company for all or any part of the amount of any payment in settlement of any Award granted hereunder.

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:

(a)         “10% Stockholder” means an individual who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company.

(b)         “Award” means any Stock Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Share Award, Performance Unit Award or other Stock Based Award, or any or all of them, or any other right or interest relating to stock or cash, granted to a Participant under the Plan.

(c)         “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.

(d)         “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e)         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. 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.

(f)         “Change in Control” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.2.

(g)         “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any rules, regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder, as modified from time to time.

(h)         “Code Section 409A” means the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and any rules, regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder, as modified from time to time.

(i)         “Committee” means the Committee acting under Article 5.

 

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(j)         “Covered Employee” has the meaning given the term in Code Section 162(m), and shall also include any other Employee who may become a Covered Employee before an Award vests, as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion.

(k)         “Director” means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or a Subsidiary.

(l)         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 “Disability” or “Disabled,” then, except as otherwise provided in the following sentence, for purposes of this Plan, the terms “Disability” or “Disabled” shall have meaning set forth in such agreement. In the absence of such a definition or in the event an Award constitutes Deferred Compensation, and the settlement of, or distribution of benefits under, such Award is to be triggered solely by a Participant’s Disability, “Disability” or “Disabled” means that a Participant: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering the Company’s Employees. 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.

(m)         “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 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; (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 with the Company or its Subsidiaries, 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. The term Disinterested Board Member shall be interpreted in such manner as shall be necessary to conform to the requirements of section 162(m) of the Code, Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and the corporate governance standards imposed on compensation committees under the listing requirements imposed by any national securities exchange on which the Company lists or seeks to list its securities.

(n)         “Dividend Equivalent Rights” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.7.

(o)         “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.

(p)         “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

(q) “Excluded Transaction” means (i) a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction that would result in the Voting Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving corporation or any parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the Voting Securities of the entity surviving the plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction (or the parent of such surviving entity) immediately after such plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction; and (ii) a second-step conversion of the MHC.

(r)         “Exercise Price” means the price established with respect to a Stock Option or SAR pursuant to Section 2.2.

(s)         “Fair Market Value” means, with respect to a share of Stock on a specified date:

 

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(i)   the final reported sales price on the date in question (or if there is no reported sale on such date, on the last preceding date on which any reported sale occurred) as reported in the principal consolidated reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the principal United States securities exchange on which the shares of Stock are listed or admitted to trading, as of the close of the market in New York City and without regard to after-hours trading activity; or

(ii)   if the shares of Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on any such exchange, the closing bid quotation with respect to a share of Stock on such date, as of the close of the market in New York City and without regard to after-hours trading activity, or, if no such quotation is provided, on another similar system, selected by the Committee, then in use; or

(iii)   if (i) and (ii) are not applicable, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock as the Committee may determine in good faith and in accordance with Code Section 422 and the applicable requirement of Code Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of the exercise of a Stock Option, Fair Market Value on such date shall be the date a notice of exercise is received by the Company, or if not a day on which the market is open, the next day that it is open.

(t)         A termination of employment by an Employee Participant shall be deemed a termination of employment for “Good Reason” as a result of the Participant’s resignation from the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary upon the occurrence of any of the following events following a Change in Control: (a) the failure of the Company or Subsidiary to appoint or re-appoint or elect or re-elect the Employee Participant to the position(s) with the Company or Subsidiary held immediately prior to the Change in Control; (b) a material change in the functions, duties or responsibilities of the Employee Participant compared to those functions, duties or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; (c) any reduction of the rate of the Employee Participant’s base salary in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; (d) any failure (other than due to reasonable administrative error that is cured promptly upon notice) to pay any portion of the Employee Participant’s compensation as and when due; (e) any change in the terms and conditions of any compensation or benefit program in which the Employee Participant participated immediately prior to the Change in Control which, either individually or together with other changes, has a material adverse effect on the aggregate value of his total compensation package; or (f) a change in the Employee Participant’s principal place of employment, without his consent, to a place that is both more than twenty-five (25) miles away from the Employee Participant’s principal residence and more than fifteen (15) miles away from the location of the Employee Participant’s principal executive office prior to the Change in Control.

(u)         “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 fifty percent (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 fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests.

(v)         “Incumbent Directors” means:

(i)         the individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board; and

(ii)         any new Director whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended: (a) by the vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Whole Board, with at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then in office voting in favor of such approval or recommendation; or (b) by a Nominating Committee of the Board whose members were appointed by the vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Whole Board, with at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then in office voting in favor of such appointments

 

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(w)         “Involuntary Termination of Employment” means the Termination of Service by the Company or Subsidiary other than a termination for Cause, or termination of employment by a Participant Employee for Good Reason.

(x)         “ISO” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.1(a).

(y)         “MHC” means Third Federal Savings and Loan Association of Cleveland, MHC.

(z)         “Non-Qualified 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 Section 422 of the Code.

(aa)         “Other Stock-Based Awards.” An Other-Stock Based Award means an equity-based or equity-related Award granted under Section 2.6 not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan.

(bb)         “Participant” means any individual who has received, and currently holds, an outstanding Award under the Plan.

(cc)         “Performance Share Award” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.5(a).

(dd)         “Performance Unit Award” and “Performance Unit” has the meaning ascribed to them in Section 2.5(b).

(ee)         “Potential Change in Control” means:

(i)         the public announcement by any Person of an intention to take or to consider taking actions which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control; or

(ii)         one or more transactions, events or occurrences that result in a change in control of the Company or any Subsidiary within the meaning of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, as amended, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect at the time of the Change in Control; or

(iii)         a proxy statement soliciting proxies from stockholders of the Company is filed or distributed, seeking stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company and one or more other entities, but only if such plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction has not been approved by the vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Whole Board, with at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Incumbent Directors then in office voting in favor of such plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction.

(ff)         “Restricted Stock Award” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.3.

(gg)         “Restricted Stock Unit Award” and “Restricted Stock Unit” has the meaning ascribed to them in Section 2.4.

(hh)         “Retirement” means, unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, retirement from employment as an Employee or Service as a Director on or after the occurrence of any of the following:

(i)         the attainment of age 75 by an Employee or Director;

(ii)         the attainment of age 62 by an Employee or Director and the completion of 15 years of continuous employment or Service as an Employee or Director; or

(iii)         the completion of 25 years of continuous employment or Service as an Employee and/or Director.

 

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Years of employment as an Employee or Service as a Director shall be aggregated for the purposes of this definition for any years of employment as an Employee or Service as a Director that did not occur simultaneously.

(ii)         “SAR” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.1(b).

(jj)         “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(kk)         “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

(ll)         “Service” means service as an Employee, consultant, service provider, or non-employee Director of the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and shall include service as a director emeritus or advisory director.

(mm)         “Stock” means the common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value per share.

(nn)         “Stock Option” means an ISO or a Non-Qualified Option.

(oo)         “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 fifty percent (50%) of the capital or profits interests.

(pp)         “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 of, or service provider to, the Company or any Subsidiary, regardless of the reason for such cessation, subject to the following:

(i)         The Participant’s cessation as an Employee or service provider 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 or service provider 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 (pp), 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)         A service provider whose Services to the Company or a Subsidiary are governed by a written agreement with the service provider will cease to be a service provider at the time the term of such written agreement ends (without renewal); and a service provider whose Services to the Company or a Subsidiary are not governed by a written agreement with the service provider will cease to be a service provider on the date that is ninety (90) days after the date the service provider last provides Services requested by the Company or any Subsidiary (as determined by the Committee).

 

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(v)         Except to the extent Section 409A of the Code may be applicable to an Award, and subject to the foregoing paragraph of this sub-section “(pp),” 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 2.9 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 Bank 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 not exceed 49% 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.

(vi)         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.

(qq)         “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.

(rr)         “Whole Board” means the total number of Directors that the Company would have if there were no vacancies on the Board at the time the relevant action or matter is presented to the Board for approval.

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 Ohio 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;

 

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(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 GAAP.

 

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