-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, OA39541SitxYzdeecmqCjhLv7Zl/P7PlsZfx+JoIp7UphE0jejj6a8INpzdCLfLF N93S8QS3epzFXjv2STZq3w== 0001144204-05-034481.txt : 20051109 0001144204-05-034481.hdr.sgml : 20051109 20051109123025 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001144204-05-034481 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20051103 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20051109 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20051109 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SHORE BANCSHARES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001035092 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021] IRS NUMBER: 521974638 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-22345 FILM NUMBER: 051188741 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 18 EAST DOVER STREET CITY: EASTON STATE: MD ZIP: 21601-3013 BUSINESS PHONE: 4108221400 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 18 EAST DOVER STREET CITY: EASTON STATE: MD ZIP: 21601-3013 8-K 1 v028649_8k.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 3, 2005
 
SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Maryland
0-22345
52-1974638
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Commission file number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

18 East Dover Street, Easton, Maryland 21601
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 
(410) 822-1400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 
 

 

ITEM 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Shore Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) and its Delaware bank subsidiary, The Felton Bank (“Felton Bank”), are party to an employment agreement with Thomas Evans dated April 1, 2002 (the “Agreement”). A copy of the Agreement was filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. Under the Agreement, Mr. Evans is to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Felton Bank for which Mr. Evans is to receive an annual salary of $105,000 (subject to annual review and adjustment), discretionary bonuses, fringe benefits and vacation generally available to other officers of the Company’s subsidiaries, and participation in the pension, profit sharing, retirement, equity and incentive compensation plans generally available to other officers of the Company's subsidiaries. The Agreement has an initial term of four years, subject to automatic renewal for 12-month terms unless one of the parties objects, but may be terminated by the Company and Felton Bank at any time with or without cause (as defined in the Agreement) or by Mr. Evans for any reason upon 90 days’ written notice. Any termination by the Company or Felton Bank without cause entitles Mr. Evan’s to a lump sum payment of one year’s salary. In addition, during the initial four-year term, Mr. Evans may voluntarily terminate his employment upon the occurrence (and for 90 days thereafter) within 12 months of a Change in Control (as defined in the Agreement) of any of the following events without his consent (the “Voluntary Termination Reasons”): (i) his base compensation is reduced by the Company and/or Felton Bank, (ii) the Company and/or Felton Bank fail to provide him with the other benefits and compensation contemplated by the Agreement, (iii) the Company and/or Felton Bank assign him duties and responsibilities that are materially different from those normally associated with his position, or (iv) the Company and/or Felton Bank materially reduce his responsibilities or authority. Upon a termination for any of the Voluntary Termination Reasons, Mr. Evans is entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to one year’s salary. During the term of the Agreement (whether or not he remains employed during that term) or, if the Company and Felton Bank terminate the Agreement without cause or Mr. Evans terminates it upon a Change in Control, for one year after his employment terminates, Mr. Evans agrees to not serve any other financial institution operating within 50 miles of either the Company or Felton Bank. In the event Mr. Evans becomes disabled, he is entitled to receive the following percentages of his compensation, inclusive of any benefits which may be payable to him under any disability insurance then in effect: (i) 100% for the first six months of disability; (ii) 75% for the next 12 months; and (iii) 50% thereafter for the remainder of the initial four-year term or any renewal thereof. If Mr. Evans returns to work and is employed on a full-time basis for at least 12 months from the last period of disability, then benefits will restart upon a subsequent disability. If he returns to work for less than 12 months and is again disabled, benefits will continue where they stopped at the end of his previous disability period.

On November 3, 2005, the Company, Felton Bank and Mr. Evans agreed to amend the Agreement so that it contains Change in Control provisions similar to those contained in the employment contracts with the Presidents of the Company’s other bank subsidiaries. Specifically, the Agreement was amended so that, in the event the Company and Felton Bank terminate Mr. Evans’s employment following a Change in Control without his consent and for a reason other than cause, he is to receive an amount equal to the difference between (i) the product of 2.99 times his “base amount” as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and (ii) the sum of any other “parachute payments” (as defined under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) that he receives on account of the Change in Control (the “Change in Control Amount”). Mr. Evans will also be entitled to the Change in Control Amount if (i) he terminates his employment for any reason within 30 days of a Change in Control or (ii) he terminates his employment for any of the Voluntary Termination Reasons that occur within 12 months of a Change in Control. In addition, the following were added to the list of Voluntary Termination Reasons: (i) the Company and Felton Bank require Mr. Evans to perform his principal executive functions more than 35 miles from his primary office as of the date of the Change in Control; and (ii) Mr. Evans is not elected or re-elected to the Board of Directors of each of the Company and Felton Bank following the Change in Control (if he was serving on such Boards prior to the Change in Control). Finally, the Agreement was amended so that Mr. Evans may exercise his ability to terminate his employment for any of the Voluntary Termination Reasons without regard to whether the Change in Control occurs during the initial four-year term of the Agreement. This amended Agreement replaces and supersedes the April 1, 2002 version.

 
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The form of Agreement, as amended on November 3, 2005, is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1.

In addition to serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Felton Bank, Mr. Evans is also a director of both the Company and Felton Bank.

ITEM 2.02. Results of Operation and Financial Condition.

On November 8, 2005, the Company issued a press release describing the Company’s financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, a copy of which is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

The information contained in this Item 2.02 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

ITEM 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

(a) Amendment to Bylaws.

On November 3, 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors amended and restated the Company’s Bylaws. The amendments were as follows:

(i)  
Added a provision to Section 3 of Article II to set a maximum age limit for non-employee directors. As a result of the amendment, no person who is not an employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries may stand for election to the Board of Directors after reaching the age of 72.

(ii)  
Deleted the expired requirement in Section 12 of Article II that, until September 30, 2005, an equal number of directors serving on each of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees of the Board represent The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland (“Talbot Bank”) and The Centreville National Bank of Maryland (“Centreville National Bank”).

 
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(iii)  
Deleted as expired the requirement in Section 1 of Article III that, until September 30, 2005, the Board have a Chairman. Now, the appointment of a Chairman is optional.

(iv)  
Deleted the expired requirement in Section 2 of Article III that, until September 30, 2005, the Chairman of the Board be a non-employee director of Centreville National Bank.

(v)  
Deleted the expired requirement in Section 3 of Article III that, until September 30, 2005, the President of Talbot Bank be the President of the Company unless two-thirds of the entire Board determines otherwise.

(vi)  
Deleted the expired requirement in Section 4 of Article III that, until September 30, 2005, the President of Centreville National Bank be an Executive Vice President and the Chief Operating Officer of the Company unless two-thirds of the entire Board determines otherwise.

(vii)  
In Section 2 of Article VI, deleted the designation of the general post office in Centreville, Maryland as the default mailing address for any director, officer or stockholder who is entitled to receive notice required by the Bylaws.

(viii)  
Deleted as expired the requirement in Section 3 of Article VI that, until September 30, 2005, any person who votes the stock of a banking organization registered in the name of the Company in the election or removal of directors of such institution must cast votes in favor of the election or against removal of directors of such institution, unless directed otherwise by two-thirds of the entire Board.

A copy of the current Bylaws, as amended and restated, is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2.

ITEM 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibit 3.2
Bylaws, as amended and restated on November 3, 2005 (filed herewith)

Exhibit 10.1
Form of Employment Agreement with Thomas Evans, as amended on November 3, 2005 (filed herewith).

Exhibit 99.2
Press Release dated November 8, 2005 (furnished herewith).

 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
     
  SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dated: November 9, 2005 By:   /s/ W. Moorhead Vermilye
 
W. Moorhead Vermilye
  President and CEO
 
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
Number
Description
 
Exhibit 3.2
Bylaws, as amended and restated on November 3, 2005 (filed herewith)

Exhibit 10.1
Form of Employment Agreement with Thomas Evans, as amended on November 3, 2005 (filed herewith).

Exhibit 99.1
Press Release dated November 8, 2005 (furnished herewith).
 
 
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EX-3.2 2 v028649_ex3-2.htm
EXHIBIT 3.2

SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS

SECTION 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held on a day duly designated by the Board of Directors in the month of April in each year, for the purpose of electing directors to succeed those whose terms shall have expired as of the date of such annual meeting, and for the transaction of such other corporate business as may come before the meeting.

SECTION 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time for any purpose or purposes by the Chairman, the President, or by a majority of the Board of Directors. Subject to the procedures set forth in Article II, Section 4 and this Section, special meetings of the stockholders shall be called by the Secretary upon the request in writing of holders of a majority of all the shares outstanding and entitled to vote on the business to be transacted at such meeting. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted upon at it. The Secretary shall provide an estimate of the cost of preparing and mailing and, upon payment of such cost; the notice of the meeting shall be mailed by the Corporation. Business transacted at all special meetings of stockholders shall be confined to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of the meeting. The Board of Directors shall have the sole power to fix the date and time of the special meeting Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at a special meeting of stockholders (a) only pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting and, (b) in the case of nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors, (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation (A) who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving notice provided for in Article II, Section 4, (B) who is entitled to vote at the meeting and (C) who complied with the notice procedures set forth in Article II, Section 4.

SECTION 3. Place of Holding Meetings. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation or elsewhere in the United States as designated by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice. Written notice of each meeting of the stockholders shall be mailed, postage pre-paid by the Secretary, to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat at the stockholder's post office address, as it appears upon the books of the Corporation, at least ten (10) days but not more than ninety (90) days before, the meeting. Each such notice shall state the place, day, and hour at which the meeting is to be held and, in the case of any special meeting, shall state briefly the purpose or purposes thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, each person who is entitled to notice waives notice if he or she before or after the meeting signs a waiver of the notice which is filed with the records of stockholders' meetings, or is present at the meeting in person or by proxy.

SECTION 5. Quorum. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, by the Charter or by these By-laws. Whether or not a quorum shall be in attendance at the time for which the meeting shall have been called, the meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority vote of the stockholders present or represented to a date not more than 120 days after the original date, without any notice other than by announcement at the meeting. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall attend, any business may be deferred and transacted which might have been transacted if the meeting had been held as originally called.

 
 

 
 
SECTION 6. Organization. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or, if the Chairman is not present, the President of the Corporation, or if the President is not present, by a Vice President, or, if none of said officers is present, by a chairman to be elected at the meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation, or if the Secretary is not present, any Assistant Secretary shall act as Secretary of such meetings; in the absence of the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary, the presiding officer may appoint a person to act as Secretary of the meeting.

SECTION 7. Voting. Unless the Charter provides otherwise, at all meetings of stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote thereat shall have one (l) vote for each share of stock standing in the stockholder's name on the books of the Corporation on the date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting. Such vote may be either in person or by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing subscribed by such stockholder or the stockholder's duly authorized attorney, bearing a date not more than eleven (11) months prior to said meeting, unless said instrument provides for a longer period. Such proxy shall be dated, but need not be sealed, witnessed or acknowledged. All elections shall be had and all questions shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast at a duly constituted meeting, except as otherwise provided by law, in the Charter or by these By-laws. Notwithstanding, a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a director.

SECTION 8. Advance Notice Provisions for Business to be Transacted at Annual Meeting. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (b) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (c) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section. A stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from the anniversary date of the preceding year's annual meeting, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. A stockholder's notice to the Secretary must be in writing and set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address of such stockholder as they appear on the Corporation's books and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder in such business and (v) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting. No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article II, Section 4 or in this Section, provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in Article II, Section 4 nor in this Section shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the chairman of an annual meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the chairman of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted. No adjournment or postponement of a meeting of stockholders shall commence a new period for the giving of notice of a stockholder proposal hereunder.

 
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ARTICLE II
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. General Powers. The property and business of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

SECTION 2. Number of Directors. The Corporation shall have at least one director. The Corporation shall have the number of directors provided in the Charter until changed as herein provided. Two-thirds of the entire Board of Directors may alter the number of directors set by the Charter to not exceeding 25 nor less than the minimum number then permitted herein, but the action may not affect the tenure of office of any director.

SECTION 3. Election and Term of Office. The Board of Directors shall be divided into classes as described in the Charter. Each Director shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which the Director is elected, except as otherwise stated in these Bylaws, and thereafter until his or her successor has been elected and qualifies. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any additional director of any class shall, subject to Article II, Section 5, hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. Election of Directors need not be by written ballot, unless required by these Bylaws. No person may stand for election after he or she has attained the age of 72. This age restriction shall not apply to any Director while that Director is also an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.

SECTION 4. Nomination of Directors. Nomination for election of members of the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of Directors and who complies with the notice provisions in this Section. Notice by a stockholder of intention to make any nominations shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (a) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than 120 days nor more than 180 days prior to the date of the meeting of stockholders called for the election of Directors which, for purposes of this provision, shall be deemed to be on the same date as the annual meeting of stockholders for the preceding year; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from the anniversary date of the preceding year's annual meeting, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the 180th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 120th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made; and (b) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public announcement of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs. Such notification shall contain the following information (a) the name and address of each proposed nominee; (b) the principal occupation of each proposed nominee; (c) the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation owned by each proposed nominee; (d) the name and residence address of the notifying stockholder; (e) the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation owned by the notifying stockholder; (f) the consent in writing of the proposed nominee as to the proposed nominee's name being placed in nomination for Director; (g) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such notifying stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such notifying stockholder, (h) a representation that such notifying stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice; and (i) all information relating to such proposed nominee that would be required to be disclosed by Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 14a-11 promulgated thereunder, assuming such provisions would be applicable to the solicitation of proxies for such proposed nominee. Nominations not made in accordance herewith shall be disregarded and, upon the chairman's instructions, the teller shall disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.

 
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SECTION 5. Vacancies; Removal of Director. A vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only in accordance with the provisions of the Charter. Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed only in accordance with the provisions of Maryland law.

SECTION 6. Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may hold their meetings and have one or more offices, and keep the books of the Corporation, either within or outside the State of Maryland, at such place or places as they may from time to time determine by resolution or by written consent of all the directors. The Board of Directors may hold their meetings by conference telephone or other similar electronic communications equipment in accordance with the provisions of Maryland General Corporation Law.

SECTION 7. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board, provided that notice of every resolution of the Board fixing or changing the time or place for the holding of regular meetings of the Board shall be mailed to each director at least three (3) days before the first meeting held in pursuance thereof. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately following the annual stockholders' meeting at which a Board of Directors is elected. Any business may be transacted at any regular meeting of the Board.

SECTION 8. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever called by direction of the Chairman, or the President, and must be called by the Chairman, the President or the Secretary upon written request of a majority of the Board of Directors, by mailing the same at least two (2) days prior to the meeting, or by personal delivery, facsimile transmission, telegraphing or telephoning the same on the day before the meeting, to each director; but such notice may be waived by any director. A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at any special meeting. At any meeting at which every director shall be present, even though without notice, any business may be transacted and any director may in writing waive notice of the time, place and objects of any special meeting.

SECTION 9. Quorum. A majority of the whole number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the Board of Directors, but, if at any meeting less than a quorum shall be present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law or by the Corporation's Charter or by these By-laws.

 
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SECTION 10. Compensation of Directors. Directors may receive a fixed sum and expenses for attendance at regular and special meetings and committee meetings, or any combination of the foregoing as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, and nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude any Director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefore.

SECTION 11. Advisory Directors. The Board of Directors may by resolution appoint advisory directors to the Board of Directors, who may also serve as directors emeriti, and shall have such authority and receive such compensation and reimbursement as the Board of Directors shall provide. Advisory directors or directors emeriti shall not have the authority to participate by vote in the transaction of business.

SECTION 12. Committees. The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating Committee, and other committees composed of one or more directors and delegate to these committees any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except the power to authorize dividends on stock, elect directors, issue stock other than as provided in the next sentence, recommend to the stockholders any action which requires stockholder approval, amend these By-Laws, or approve any merger or share exchange which does not require stockholder approval. If the Board of Directors has given general authorization for the issuance of stock providing for or establishing a method or procedure for determining the maximum number of shares to be issued, a committee of the Board of Directors, in accordance with that general authorization or any stock option or other plan or program adopted by the Board of Directors, may authorize or fix the terms of stock subject to classification or reclassification and the terms on which any stock may be issued, including all terms and conditions required or permitted to be established or authorized by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 13. Committee Procedure. Each committee may fix rules of procedure for its business. A majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee. The members of a committee present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a director to act in the place of an absent member. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of a committee may be taken without a meeting, if an unanimous written consent which sets forth the action is signed by each member of the committee and filed with the minutes of the committee.

SECTION 14. Emergency. In the event of a state of disaster of sufficient severity to prevent the conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Corporation by its directors and officers as contemplated by the Charter and these By-Laws, any two or more available members of the then incumbent Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum of that Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs and business of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Article II, Section 13. In the event of the unavailability, at such time, of a minimum of two members of the then incumbent Executive Committee, the available directors shall elect an Executive Committee consisting of any two members of the Board of Directors, whether or not they be officers of the Corporation, which two members of the Board of Directors, whether or not they be officers of the Corporation, which two members shall constitute the Executive Committee for the full conduct and management of the affairs of the Corporation in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section. This Section shall be subject to implementation by resolution of the Board of Directors passed from time to time for that purpose, and any provisions of these By-Laws (other than this Section) and any resolutions which are contrary to the provisions of this Section or to the provisions of any such implementary resolutions shall be suspended until it shall be determined by any interim Executive Committee acting under this Section that it shall be to the advantage of the Corporation to resume the conduct and management of its affairs and business under all the other provisions of these By-Laws.

 
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ARTICLE III
OFFICERS

SECTION 1. Election, Tenure, and Compensation. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, one or more Vice-Presidents (if so elected by the Board of Directors), a Secretary, and a Treasurer, and such other officers as the Board of Directors from time to time may consider necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Corporation. It may also have a Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors shall designate who shall serve as chief executive officer, who shall have general supervision of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may designate a chief operating officer, who shall have supervision of the operations of the Corporation. In the absence of any designation the Chairman of the Board, if there be one, shall serve as chief executive officer and the President shall serve as chief operating officer. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, or if there be none, the President shall be the chief executive officer. The officers shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at its first meeting following the annual meeting of the stockholders. The Chairman shall be a director and the other officers may, but need not be, directors. Any two or more of the above officers, except those of President and Vice President, may be held by the same person, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or
verify any instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument is required by law or by these By-laws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by any two or more officers. The compensation or salary paid all officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors.

Except where otherwise expressly provided in a contract duly authorized by the Board of Directors, all officers and agents of the Corporation shall be subject to removal at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors, and all officers, agents, and employees, other than officers appointed by the Board of Directors, shall hold office at the discretion of the Board of Directors or of the officers appointing them.

SECTION 2. Powers and Duties of the Chairman. The Chairman, if one be elected, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. The Chairman shall be ex-officio a member of all the standing committees. The Chairman shall do and perform such other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to the Chairman by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3. Powers and Duties of the President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall have general charge and control of all its business affairs and properties. The President may sign and execute all authorized bonds, contracts or other obligations in the name of the Corporation. The President shall have the general powers and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of President of a corporation. The President shall do and perform such other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to the President by the Board of Directors.


 
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SECTION 5. Secretary. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of stockholders and directors and all other notices required by law or by these By-laws, and in case of the Secretary's absence or refusal or neglect to do so, any such notice may be given by any person thereunto directed by the Chairman or the President, or by the directors or stockholders upon whose written requisition the meeting is called as provided in these By-laws. The Secretary shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and of the directors in books provided for that purpose, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the directors, the Chairman, or the President. The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation and shall affix the same to all instruments requiring it, when authorized by the Board of Directors, the Chairman, or the President, and attest the same. In general, the Secretary shall perform all the duties generally incident to the office of Secretary, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, the Chairman, and the President.

SECTION 6. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of all the funds and securities of the Corporation, and shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation. The Treasurer shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depository or depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. The Treasurer shall render to the Chairman, the President and the Board of Directors, whenever any of them so requests, an account of all transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

The Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond, if required by the Board of Directors, in a sum, and with one or more sureties, satisfactory to the Board of Directors, for the faithful performance of the duties of the office and for the restoration to the Corporation in case of the Treasurer's death, resignation, retirement or removal from office of all books, papers, vouchers, moneys, and other properties of whatever kind in the Treasurer's possession or under the Treasurer's control belonging to the Corporation.

The Treasurer shall perform all the duties generally incident to the office of the Treasurer, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, the Chairman, and the President.

SECTION 7. Assistant Secretary. The Board of Directors may appoint an Assistant Secretary or more than one Assistant Secretary. Each Assistant Secretary shall (except as otherwise provided by resolution of the Board of Directors) have power to perform all duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary and shall have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors, the Chairman, or the President. In case of the absence or disability of the Secretary, the duties of the office shall be performed by any Assistant Secretary, and the taking of any action by any such Assistant Secretary in place of the Secretary shall be conclusive evidence of the absence or disability of the Secretary.


 
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ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL STOCK

SECTION 1. Issue of Certificates of Stock. The certificates for shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be of such form not inconsistent with the Charter, or its amendments, as shall be approved by the Board of Directors. All certificates shall be signed by the Chairman, the President or by any Vice-President and counter-signed by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, and sealed with the seal of the Corporation. All certificates for each class of stock shall be consecutively numbered. The name of the person owning the shares issued and the address of the holder, shall be entered in the Corporation's books. All certificates surrendered to the Corporation for transfer shall be canceled and no new certificates representing the same number of shares shall be issued until the former certificate or certificates for the same number of shares shall have been so surrendered, and canceled, unless a certificate of stock be lost or destroyed, in which event another may be issued in its stead upon proof of such loss or destruction and the giving of a satisfactory bond of indemnity not exceeding an amount double the value of the stock. Both such proof and such bond shall be in a form approved by the general counsel of the Corporation and by the Transfer Agent of the Corporation and by the Registrar of the stock.

SECTION 2. Transfer of Shares. Shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation only by the holder thereof in person or by the holder's attorney upon surrender and cancellation of certificates for a like number of shares as hereinbefore provided.

SECTION 3. Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share in the name of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, save as expressly provided by the Laws of Maryland.

SECTION 4. Closing Transfer Books. The Board of Directors may fix the period, not exceeding twenty (20) days, during which time the books of the Corporation shall be closed against transfers of stock, or, in lieu thereof, the directors may fix a date not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or any dividend payment date or any date for the allotment of rights, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting or to receive such dividends or rights as the case may be; and only stockholders of record on such date shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting or to receive such dividends or rights as the case may be.

SECTION 5. Lost Stock Certificates. The Board of Directors may determine the conditions for issuing a new stock certificate in place of one which is alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, or the Board of Directors may delegate such power to any officer or officers of the Corporation. In their discretion, the Board of Directors or such officer or officers may require the owner of the certificate to give bond, with sufficient surety, to indemnify the Corporation against any loss or claim arising as a result of the issuance of a new certificate. In their discretion, the Board of Directors or such officer or officers may refuse to issue such new certificate save upon the order of some court having jurisdiction in the premises.

SECTION 6. Exemption from Control Share Acquisition Statute. The provisions of Sections 3-701 to 3-709 of the Maryland General Corporation Law shall not apply to any share of the capital stock of the Corporation. Such shares of capital stock are exempted from such Sections to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law.

 
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ARTICLE V
BANK ACCOUNTS AND LOANS

SECTION 1. Bank Accounts. Such officers or agents of the Corporation as from time to time shall be designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to deposit any funds of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies as shall from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors and such officers or agents as from time to time authorized by the Board of Directors may withdraw any or all of the funds of the Corporation so deposited in any bank or trust or trust company, upon checks, drafts or other instruments or orders for the payment of money, drawn against the account or in the name or behalf of this Corporation, and made or signed by such officers or agents; and each bank or trust company with which funds of the Corporation are so deposited is authorized to accept, honor, cash and pay, without limit as to amount, all checks, drafts or other instruments or orders for the payment of money, when drawn, made or signed by officers or agents so designated by the Board of Directors until written notice of the revocation of the authority of such officers or agents by the Board of Directors shall have been received by such bank or trust company. There shall from time to time be certified to the banks or trust companies in which funds of the Corporation are deposited, the signature of the officers or agents of the Corporation so authorized to draw against the same. In the event that the Board of Directors shall fail to designate the persons by whom checks, drafts and other instruments or orders for the payment of money shall be signed, as hereinabove provided in this Section, all of such checks, drafts and other instruments or orders for the payment of money shall be signed by the Chairman, the President or a Vice President and counter-signed by the Secretary or Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary or an Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation.

SECTION 2. Loans. Such officers or agents of the Corporation as from time to time shall be designated by the Board of Directors shall have authority to effect loans, advances or other forms of credit at any time or times for the Corporation from such banks, trust companies, institutions, corporations, firms or persons as the Board of Directors shall from time to time designate, and as security for the repayment of such loans, advances, or other forms of credit to assign, transfer, endorse, and deliver, either originally or in addition or substitution, any or all stock, bonds, rights, and interests of any kind in or to stocks or bonds, certificates of such rights or interests, deposits, accounts, documents covering merchandise, bills and accounts receivable and other commercial paper and evidences or debt at any time held by the Corporation; and for such loans, advances, or other forms of credit to make, execute and deliver one or more notes, acceptances or written obligations of the Corporation on such terms, and with such provisions as to the security or sale or disposition thereof as such officers or agents shall deem proper; and also to sell to, or discount or rediscount with, such banks, trust companies, institutions, corporations, firms or persons any and all commercial paper, bills receivable, acceptances and other instruments and evidences of debt at any time held by the Corporation, and to that end to endorse, transfer and deliver the same. There shall from time to time be certified to each bank, trust company, institution, corporation, firm or person so designated the signature of the officers or agents so authorized; and each bank, trust company, institution, corporation, firm or person is authorized to rely upon such certification until written notice of the revocation by the Board of Directors of the authority of such officers or agents shall be delivered to such bank, trust company, institution, corporation, firm or person.
 
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January of each year.

 
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SECTION 2. Notices. Whenever, under the provisions of these By-laws, notice is required to be given to any director, officer or stockholder, unless otherwise provided in these By-laws, such notice shall be deemed given if in writing, and personally delivered, or sent by telefax, or telegram, or by mail, by depositing the same in a post office or letter box, in a postpaid sealed wrapper, addressed to each stockholder, officer or director, as the case may be, at such address as appears on the books of the Corporation, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time the same is so personally delivered, telefaxed, telegraphed or so mailed. Any stockholder, director or officer may waive any notice required to be given under these By-laws.

SECTION 3. Voting Upon Stocks. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, the President and the Vice President, or any of them, shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend and to vote and to grant proxies to be used at any meetings of stockholders of any corporation in which the Corporation may hold stock. The Board of Directors, however, may by resolution appoint some other person to vote such shares, in which case such person shall be entitled to vote such shares upon the production of a certified copy of such resolution.

ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

In accordance with the Charter, these By-Laws may be repealed, altered, amended or rescinded and new by-laws may be adopted (a) by the stockholders of the Corporation (considered for this purpose as one class) by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast by the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation generally in the election of directors which are cast on the matter at any meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose (provided that notice of such proposal is included in the notice of such meeting) or (b) by the Board of Directors by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the Board of Directors at a meeting held in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws.

ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 1. Definitions. As used in this Article VIII, any word or words that are defined in Section 2-418 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland (the "Indemnification Section"), as amended from time to time, shall have the same meaning as provided in the Indemnification Section.

SECTION 2. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to a director or officer of the Corporation in connection with a proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by and in accordance with the Indemnification Section. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a director or officer in connection with a proceeding commenced by such director or officer against the Corporation or its directors or officers only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.


Date: November 3, 2005

 
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EX-10.1 3 v028649_ex10-1.htm
EXHIBIT 10.1

FORM OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THOMAS EVANS

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into this as of November 3, 2005 (this “Agreement”) by and between The Felton Bank (the “Bank”) and Shore Bancshares, Inc. “Shore Bancshares”, with the Bank, collectively, the “Companies”) and Thomas Evans (the “Employee”).
 
WHEREAS, Bank is a subsidiary of Shore Bancshares; and
 
WHEREAS, the Employee has been employed by the Bank as President and Chief Executive Officer; and
 
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire by writing set forth the continued employment relationship of the Companies and the Employee;
 
NOW THEREFORE, it is AGREED as follows:
 
1.  The Employee is employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Felton Bank. The Employee shall render administrative and management services to the Companies such as are customarily performed by persons situated in similar executive capacity. The Employee shall also promote, by entertainment or otherwise, as and to the extent permitted by law, the business of the Companies. The Employee’s other duties shall be such as the Boards of Directors of the Companies (the “Boards”) may from time to time reasonably direct, including normal duties of an officer of the Companies.
 
2.  The Companies agree to pay the Employee during the term of this Agreement a salary at the rate of $105,000.00 per annum, in cash not less frequently than twice monthly or at some other reasonable frequency as other employees of the Companies are paid. Such rate of salary, or increased rate of salary, if any, as the case may be, shall be reviewed by the Boards, or by a committee designated by the Boards, no less often than annually and may be increased; which increases may not be unreasonably denied; but not decreased, in such amounts as the Boards in their discretion may decide.
 
3.  The Employee shall be eligible to participate in such discretionary bonuses when and as declared by the Boards.
 
4.   (a) The Employee shall be entitled to participate in any plan of the Companies relating to pension, profit sharing, or other retirement benefits and medical coverage or reimbursement plans the Companies may adopt for the benefit of its employees.
 
 (b) The Employee shall be eligible to participate in any fringe benefits which may be or become applicable to the Companies’ officers including participation in any stock option or incentive plans adopted by the Boards, a reasonable expense account, and any other benefits which are commensurate with the responsibilities and functions to be performed by the Employee under this Agreement.
 
5.  The initial term of employment under this Agreement shall be for 29 months commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on March 31, 2008. Upon the expiration of the this initial term of employment, the term of employment shall automatically be extended for another 12 month period and then for successive 12 month periods without further action by the parties, unless either party shall have served notice upon the other 90 days prior to the commencement of any period, of its intention that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the then current term of employment.
 
 
 

 
 
6.  (a) The Employee shall devote his full time and best efforts to the performance of his employment under this Agreement. During the term of this Agreement, the Employee shall not, at any time or place, either directly or indirectly, engage in any business or activity in competition with the business affairs or interest of the Companies.
 
  (b) During the term of this Agreement and, in the event of termination prior to expiration of such term, except as otherwise provided in the next sentence, the Employee will not be a director, officer, or employee of, or consultant to, any federal or state financial, institution other than the Companies or their subsidiaries or affiliates, operating within 50 miles of any of the Companies. Such non-compete covenant shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the earliest to occur of (i) one year after the expiration date of this Agreement or (ii) one year after termination of the Employee’s employment under Subsection 9(c) 9 (f)or 9(g).
 
  (c) Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall be deemed to prevent or limit the right of the Employee to invest in the capital stock or other securities of any business dissimilar from that of the Companies or, solely as a passive and minority investor in any business.
 
7.  The Employee shall perform his duties under this Agreement in accordance with such reasonable standards expected of employees with comparable positions in comparable organizations and as may be established from time to time by the Boards.
 
8.  At such reasonable times as the Boards shall in their discretion permit, the Employee shall be entitled, without loss of pay, to absent himself voluntarily from the performance of his employment under this Agreement, all such voluntary absences to count as vacation time; provided that:
 
  (a) The Employee shall be entitled to an annual vacation in accordance with the policies as periodically established by the Boards for senior management officials of the Companies, which shall in no event be less than three weeks.
 
  (b) The Employee shall not be entitled to receive any additional compensation from the Companies on account of his failure to take a vacation; nor shall he be entitled to accumulate unused vacation from one fiscal year to the next except to the extent authorized by the Boards for senior management officials of the Companies.
 
  (c) In addition to the aforesaid paid vacations, the Employee shall be entitled without loss of pay, to absent himself voluntarily from the performance of his employment with the Companies for such additional periods of time and for such valid and legitimate reasons as the Boards in their discretion may determine.
 
  (d) In addition, the Employee shall be entitled to an annual sick leave as established by the Boards for senior management officials of the Companies. In the event any sick leave shall not have been used during any year, such leave shall not accrue to subsequent years unless authorized by the Boards. Upon termination of his employment, the Employee shall not be entitled to receive any additional compensation from the Companies for unused sick leave.
 
9.  The Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall be terminated upon the following occurrences:
 
 
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(a) The death of the Employee during the term of this Agreement, in which event the Employee’s estate shall be entitled to receive the compensation due the Employee through the last day of the calendar month in which the Employee’s death shall have occurred (including any bonus under Section 3, pro rated through the last day of such calendar month, to which the Employee would have been eligible to receive had he been alive when bonuses were next declared), and any vested rights and benefits of the Employee pursuant to any plan of the Companies, whether or not written.
 
(b) The Boards may terminate the Employee’s employment at any time, but any termination by the Boards other than termination for Cause (defined below), shall not prejudice the Employee’s right to compensation or other benefits as provided for under this Agreement. The Employee shall have no right to receive compensation or other benefits, except at the discretion of the Boards after termination for Cause. Termination for “Cause” shall mean termination for gross negligence or gross neglect or the commission of a felony or gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, fraud, dishonesty or willful violation of any law that results in any adverse effect on either of the Companies, or for intentional failure to perform stated duties.
 
(c) In the event the Employee’s employment under this Agreement is terminated by the Boards without Cause, the Companies shall be obligated to pay the Employee the payment of one-year salary based on the current year salary at the time of termination. Said sum shall be paid in one lump sum within 15 days of the termination.
 
(d) If the Employee is removed and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Companies’ business by an order issued by the Delaware Commissioner of Financial Regulation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or other appropriate supervisory agency, obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, as of the effective date of the order, but vested rights of the parties shall not be affected.
 
(e) The voluntary termination by the Employee during the term of this Agreement with the delivery of no less than 90 days written notice to the Boards, in which case the Employee shall be entitled to receive only his compensation, vested rights, and all employee benefits up to the date of his termination, unless otherwise provided by law.
 
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary (except Subsection 9(h)), if the Employee’s employment under this Agreement is terminated by the Companies, without Employee’s consent and for reason other than Cause, in connection with or within 12 months after any Change in Control (defined in Subsection 9(g) below) of the Companies, or if the Employee voluntarily terminates employment for any reason during the 30 day period beginning with said Change in Control, the Employee shall be paid an amount equal to the difference between (i) the product of 2.99 times the Employee’s “base amount” as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “Code”) and regulations promulgated thereunder, and (ii) the sum of any other parachute payments (as defined under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) that the Employee receives on account of the Change in Control. Said sum shall be paid to the Employee in one lump sum within 10 days of the termination. This Subsection 9(f) is not applicable in the event of a termination of the Employee’s employment due to Employee’s death or voluntary termination (other than voluntary termination pursuant to Subsection 9(g)).
 
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary (except this Subsection 9(g)), the Employee may voluntarily terminate the Employee’s employment within 12 months following a Change in Control of the Companies, and the Employee shall thereupon be entitled to receive the payment described in Subsection 9(f) of this Agreement, upon the occurrence of any of the following events, or within 90 days thereafter, which have not been consented to in advance by the Employee in writing: (i) the requirement that the Employee perform the Employee’s principal executive functions more than 35 miles from the Employee’s primary office as of the date of the Change in Control; (ii) a reduction in the Employee’s base compensation in effect on the date of the Change in Control or as the same may be increased from time to time; (iii) the failure by the Companies to continue to provide the Employee with the compensation and benefits provided for under this Agreement, as the same may be changed by mutual agreement from time to time, or with benefits substantially similar to those provided to the Employee under any employee benefit plan in which the Employee is a participant at the time of the Change in Control, or the taking of any action which would materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the Employee of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by the Employee at the time of the Change in Control; (iv) the assignment to the Employee of duties and responsibilities materially different from those normally associated with the Employee’s position as referenced at Section 1; (v) a failure to elect or reelect the Employee to the Boards of the Companies (if the Employee is serving on the Boards at the time of the Change in Control); or (vi) a material diminution or reduction in the Employee’s responsibilities or authority (including reporting responsibilities) in connection with the Employee’s employment with the Companies.
 
 
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The term “Change in Control” shall mean any one of the following events: (i) the acquisition of ownership, holding or power to vote more than 25% of the Companies’ voting stock; (ii) the acquisition of the ability to control the election of a majority of the Companies’ directors; (iii) the acquisition of a controlling influence over the management or policies of Companies by any person or by person acting as a “group” within the meaning of Section 12(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934); (iv) the acquisition of control of the Companies within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. Part 5.50 or its applicable equivalent (except in the case of (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) if this paragraph, the Companies’ mere formation of a holding company shall not itself constitute a Change in Control), or (v) during the period of two consecutive years, individuals (the “Continuing Directors”) who at the beginning of such period constitute the Boards of the Companies (the “Existing Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least two-thirds thereof, provided that any individual whose election as a member of the Existing Board was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Continuing Directors then in office shall be considered a Continuing Director. For purposes of this paragraph only, the term “person” refers to an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, association, joint venture, pool, syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization or any other form of entity not specifically listed herein.
 
(h) Any payments made to the Employee pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, are subject to, and conditioned upon their compliance with 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k) and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
(i) As a condition of receiving any payments under paragraph 9(c), 9(f) or 9(g), Employee shall be required to sign a release and covenant not to sue.
 
10.   (a) The suspension of the Employee from office and/or temporary prohibition from participation in the conduct of the affairs of the Companies pursuant to notice served by the appropriate regulatory agency, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings, shall suspend, as of the date of such service, all obligations of the Companies under the terms of this Agreement.
 
(b) In the event the charges specified in a notice served as provided in Section 10(a) shall be dismissed, the Companies shall (i) pay the Employee any compensation withheld from the Employee pursuant to the suspension of the Companies’ obligations as required in Section 10(a) and (ii) reinstate the obligations suspended as required in Section 10(a).
 
11.  If the Employee shall become disabled or incapacitated, as determined by the Employee’s physician, to the extent that he is unable to perform the duties provided in Section 1, he shall nevertheless continue to receive the following percentages of his compensation, inclusive of any benefits which may be payable to the Employee under the provisions of any disability insurance in effect for the Employee, under Section 2 for the following periods of disability: 100% for the first 6 months, 75% for the next 12 months, and 50% thereafter for the remainder of the initial term, or any renewal thereof, of this Agreement. Upon returning to active full-time employment, the Employee’s full compensation as set forth in this Agreement shall be reinstated. In the event that the Employee returns to active employment on other than a full-time basis, then his compensation as set forth in Section 2 may be reduced in proportion to the time spent in said employment. If he is again unable to perform the duties provided in Section 1 due to illness or other incapacity, benefits under this Section 11 shall (a) begin again at 100% for the first 6 months if he has been engaged in active full-time employment for more than 12 months immediately prior to such later absence or inability or (b) resume where benefits left off if he has been engaged in active full-time employment for 12 months or less immediately prior to such later absence or inability.
 
 
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12.   (a)This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any corporate or other successor of the companies which shall acquire, directly or indirectly, by merger, consolidation, purchase, or otherwise, all or substantially all of the assets of the Companies.
 
(b) Since the Companies are contracting for the unique and personal skills of the Employee, the Employee shall be precluded from assigning or delegating his rights or duties hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the Companies.
 
13.  In the event a dispute arises over benefits or other provisions under this Agreement, then the parties hereto agree to submit the dispute to non-appealable binding arbitration. The Board of Arbitrators shall consist of three members, with one member selected by the Employee, one member selected by the Companies, and the third member selected by the first two members. The party responsible for the payment of the costs of such arbitration (including any legal fees and expenses incurred by the Employee) shall be determined by the Board. The Board shall be bound by the rules of the American Arbitration Association in making their determination. The parties hereto agree that they and their heirs, personal representatives, successors, and assigns shall be bound by the decision of such Board with respect to any controversy properly submitted to it for determination.
 
Where a dispute arises as to the Companies’ discharge of the Employee for Cause, such dispute shall likewise be submitted to arbitration as above described and the parties hereto agree to be bound by the decision hereunder.
 
14.  This Agreement supercedes all prior agreements with respect to your employment with the Companies.
 
15.  No amendments or additions to this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by both parties, except as herein otherwise provided.
 
16.  This Agreement shall be governed in all respects whether as to validity, construction, capacity, performance or otherwise, by the laws of the State of Maryland, except to the extent that Federal law shall be deemed to apply.
 
17.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the other provisions hereof.
 
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date written above.
 
     
ATTEST: THE FELTON BANK
 
 

 
 

W. Edwin Kee, Jr., Chairman
 
     
ATTEST: SHORE BANCSHARES, INC.
 
 

 
 

W. Moorhead Vermilye, Chairman
 
     
WITNESS:  
 
 

 
 

Thomas Evans
 
 
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EX-99.1 4 v028649_ex99-1.htm Unassociated Document
Exhibit 99.1
Shore Bancshares, Inc.
18 E. Dover Street
Easton, Maryland 21601
Phone 410-822-1400

PRESS RELEASE
 
Shore Bancshares Reports a 7.1 Percent Increase in Third Quarter Earnings; Nine-month net income up 21.1 Percent
 
November 8, 2005

Easton, Maryland - Shore Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ - SHBI) reported third quarter earnings of $3.1 million or $0.56 per diluted share, compared to $2.9 million or $0.53 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2004. Net income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 was $9.7 million or $1.75 per diluted share, representing a 21.1% increase over the $8.1 million or $1.46 per diluted share earned during the same period of 2004.
 
“We are pleased to report that the Company achieved record earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2005,” said W. Moorhead Vermilye, President and CEO of Shore Bancshares, Inc. “Despite an increasingly competitive market for loans, we were able to grow volume as well as favorably manage our pricing to improve our net interest margin to 4.65%. We are the leading independent banking company headquartered on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and we continually seek to expand our business with a focus on building relationships. We believe that we can offer more value to our customers as a locally managed institution.”
 
“In an effort to provide comprehensive services under the Shore Bancshares organization, we began our trust operations in the third quarter and received an overwhelmingly positive response from the business community. We feel confident that trust services will complement the existing scope of financial services that we have developed to meet the growing needs of our diverse retail and business customer base.”
 
The Company’s annualized return on average assets for the first nine months of 2005 was 1.59%, compared to 1.39% for the same period of 2004. The annualized return on average stockholders’ equity was 13.47% for the first nine months of 2005, compared to 11.85% for the same period of 2004.
 
At September 30, 2005, total assets were $842 million, total deposits were $702 million and total stockholders’ equity was $100 million.
 
Net Interest Income
Net interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 totaled $9,065,000, which represents an increase of 17.7 % over the $7,704,000 earned during the same period last year. Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 totaled $26,072,000, an increase of 22.9% or $4,859,000 when compared to the same period of last year. The increases in net interest income resulted from increases in the volume of and yield on earning assets.


 
Interest expense for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 increased $894,000 and $1,798,000, respectively, when compared to the same periods of 2004. The increases are primarily attributable to a $24,137,000 increase during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 in the volume of interest bearing deposits when compared to the same period last year. The rate paid for interest bearing deposits also increased to 1.83% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to 1.53% for the same period last year.

The Company’s net interest margin was 4.65% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to 3.98% for the same period in 2004. The Company increased its volume of earning assets to $755,586,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2005, which compares to $719,922,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The average yield on earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased to 6.14%, compared to 5.21% for the same period last year.

Loans and Deposits
Total loans, net of unearned income, increased $16,381,000 during the first nine months of 2005 to $611,839,000, compared to $595,458,000 at December 31, 2004.

The provision for credit losses for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 was $220,000 and $580,000, respectively, compared to $165,000 and $370,000, respectively, for the same periods in 2004. Net charge-offs were $292,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, compared to $454,000 for the same period last year. Management believes that the provision for credit losses and the resulting allowance are adequate at September 30, 2005.

Total deposits at September 30, 2005 were $701,971,000, an increase of $43,299,000 when compared to total deposits at December 31, 2004. Noninterest bearing demand account balances increased approximately $7,866,000, certificates of deposit $100,000 or more increased $14,526,000, and other time deposits increased $22,325,000 during the first nine months of 2005 when compared to the same period last year, while NOW and SuperNOW accounts declined $1,418,000.

Noninterest Income
Noninterest income for the three months ended September 30, 2005 declined $156,000 when compared to the same period in 2004. The primary reason for the decline is a reduction in insurance agency commissions. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $130,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004 as a result of enhanced services offered to customers. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, noninterest income increased $514,000 when compared to the same period last in 2004 as a result of $266,000 in increased service charges on deposit accounts, a gain on sale of securities of $57,000 and increased income from mortgage originations and sales of investment products.

Noninterest Expenses
Total noninterest expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2005 was $6,393,000, compared to $5,684,000 for the same period last year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, total noninterest expense was $18,765,000, an increase of $2,282,000 over the same period last year. Increases in salaries and benefits expense for the quarter ($446,000) and nine months ($1,513,000) relate to an increase in the number of employees, an increase in incentive compensation cost and overall salary and benefit cost increases for the year. Increases in premises and equipment expense for the quarter ($101,000) and nine months ($229,000) as well as other noninterest expense for the quarter ($162,000) and nine months ($540,000) relate to the operation of new branch facilities opened in 2004, a new branch facility opening in the fourth quarter of 2005, and overall growth of the Company, including the start up cost associated with a trust Company in the third quarter of 2005.
 
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Shore Bancshares Information
Shore Bancshares, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Easton, Maryland and is the largest independent bank holding company located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It is the parent company of three banks, The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland, The Centreville National Bank of Maryland, and The Felton Bank; two insurance producer firms, The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC and Elliott Wilson Insurance, LLC; an insurance premium finance company, Mubell Finance, LLC; and a registered investment adviser firm, Wye Financial Services, LLC.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements present management's expectations, beliefs, plans and objectives regarding future financial performance, and assumptions or judgments concerning such performance. Any discussions contained in this press release, except to the extent that they contain historical facts, are forward-looking and accordingly involve estimates, assumptions, judgments and uncertainties. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors are detailed in Exhibit 99.1 to the Annual Report of Shore Bancshares, Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

For further information contact: W. Moorhead Vermilye, President and CEO

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