Termination of Employment Following Change in Control (a) If a Change in Control (as defined in Section 5(b) of this Agreement) shall occur and, thereafter, if at any time during the term of this Agreement there shall be:
(i) any involuntary termination of Executive’s employment (other than for the reasons set forth in Section 3(c) of this Agreement;
(ii) any reduction in Executive’s title, responsibilities, including reporting responsibilities, or authority, including such title, responsibilities or authority as such may be increased from time to time during the term of this Agreement;
(iii) the assignment to Executive of duties inconsistent with Executive’s office on the date of the Change in Control or as the same may be increased from time to time after the Change in Control;
(iv) any reassignment of Executive to a location greater than fifty (50) miles from the location of Executive’s office on the date of the Change in Control;
(v) any significant reduction in Executive’s compensation as provided in Section 4 in effect on the date of the Change in Control or as the same may be increased from time to time after the Change in Control;
(vi) any failure to provide Executive with benefits at least as favorable as those enjoyed by Executive under any of Corporation or Bank’s retirement or pension, life insurance, medical, health and accident, disability or other employee plans in which Executive participated at the time of the Change in Control, or the taking of any action that would materially reduce any of such benefits in effect at the time of the Change in Control;
(vii) any requirement that Executive travel in performance of his duties on behalf of Corporation or Bank for a significantly greater period of time during any year than was required of Executive during the year preceding the year in which the Change in Control occurred; or
(viii) any sustained pattern of interruption or disruption of Executive for matters substantially unrelated to Executive’s discharge of Executive’s duties on behalf of Corporation and Bank; then, at the option of Executive, exercisable by Executive within ninety (90) days of the Change in Control and occurrence of any of the foregoing events, Executive may resign from employment with Corporation and Bank (or, if involuntarily terminated, give notice of intention to collect benefits under this Agreement) by delivering a notice in writing (the “Notice of Termination”) to Corporation and Bank and the provisions of Section 6 of this Agreement shall apply. In addition, notwithstanding the payments to Executive contemplated by Section 6, if Executive is requested by the Corporation, Bank, or a successor thereto to remain in the employ of the Corporation, Bank, or a successor to the Corporation or Bank following the Date of Change of Control, Executive expressly agrees, subject to the condition set forth below, to remain in the employ of the Corporation, Bank, or a successor to the Corporation or Bank for not less than six months following the Date of Change of Control. The Corporation, Bank, or successor to the Corporation or Bank shall have the right to request Executive remain in the employ of the Corporation, Bank, or a successor to the Corporation or Bank for a period of less than six months following the Date of Change of Control. Executive agrees to remain an employee of the Corporation, Bank or successor to the Corporation or Bank pursuant to their request conditioned upon Executive being compensated in the same amount and on the same terms as he was compensated immediately prior to the Date of Change of Control, including participation in all employee benefit plans to which he would otherwise be entitled.
(b) As used in this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:
Employment Status Termination Following Change in Control (a) No benefits shall be payable under this Agreement unless there has been a Change in Control of the Company during the Term. You acknowledge that this Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Company any obligation to retain you as an employee. You may terminate your employment at any time, with or without Good Reason. If your employment with the Company terminates for any reason and subsequently a Change in Control shall have occurred, you shall not be entitled to any benefits hereunder.
(b) Any termination of your employment by the Company or by you following a Change in Control of the Company during the Term shall be communicated by written notice of termination that indicates the specific provision in this Agreement relied upon and sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of your employment under the provision so indicated ("Notice of Termination"). A Notice of Termination shall be delivered to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 6.
Termination of Employment Following a Change in Control Subject to Section 11(a) hereunder, the Executive shall be entitled to the Change in Control Severance Benefits (as defined in Section 4(c) below) set forth in this Section 4, in lieu of the severance benefits the Executive is entitled to under Section 3 of this Agreement, if there has been a Change in Control and the Executive has incurred a Termination of Employment. The severance benefit provided under this Section 4 is in lieu of cash severance payments offered under the Company's documented severance policy, if any.
(a) For purposes of Section 4 of the Agreement, "Termination of Employment" shall be defined as:
(i) The Executive's involuntary termination by the Company for any reason other than death, Disability or Cause; or
(ii) The Executive's termination for "Good Reason," defined as the occurrence of any of the following events without the Executive's written consent, if the Executive terminates employment within one (1) year following the occurrence of such event:
(A) Any reassignment of the Executive to substantial duties materially inconsistent with the Executive's position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control or a substantial diminution in the Executive's position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company from his position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control; provided that the fact that the Company is no longer a publicly traded company or the Executive no longer has duties and responsibilities associated exclusively with a publicly traded company, such as Securities and Exchange Commission or stock exchange reporting responsibilities or investor or analyst relations responsibilities, shall not be deemed to be a reassignment of the Executive to substantial duties materially inconsistent with the Executive's position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control or a substantial diminution in the Executive's position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company from his position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control;
(B) Any reduction in the Executive's base salary or targeted incentive bonus or commissions in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, or failure by the Company to continue any bonus, stock or other incentive plans in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control (without the implementation of comparable successor plans that provide comparable award opportunities/benefits), or any removal of the Executive from participation in such aforementioned plans;
(C) The discontinuance or reduction in benefits to the Executive under any qualified or nonqualified retirement or welfare plan maintained by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control (without the implementation of comparable successor plans that provide comparable benefits), or the discontinuance of any fringe benefits or other perquisites that the Executive received immediately prior to the Change in Control (without the implementation of comparable successor plans that provide comparable benefits);
(D) Required relocation of the Executive's principal place of employment more than 50 miles from the Executive's place of employment prior to the Change in Control; or
(E) The Company's breach of any provision in this Agreement, provided that the Company has not cured such breach within 10 days following written notice by the Executive to the Company of such breach.
(b) The Executive who believes the Executive is entitled to a Termination of Employment for Good Reason, as defined in Section 4 above, may apply in writing to the Company for confirmation of such entitlement prior to the Executive's actual separation from employment, by following the claims procedure set forth in Section 15 hereof. The submission of such a request by the Executive shall not constitute "Cause" for the Company to terminate the Executive as defined under Section 2(a) hereof. If the Executive's request for a Good Reason Termination of Employment is denied under both the request and appeal procedures set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of Section 15 hereof, then the parties shall use their best efforts to resolve the claim within 90 days after the claim is submitted to arbitration pursuant to Section 15(d).
(c) Upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth in Sections 4 or 11(a) hereof and with respect to any one or more Changes in Control that may occur during the term of this Agreement, upon the Executive's execution of a release (in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A), the Executive shall be entitled to (the "Change in Control Severance Benefits"):
(i) A cash severance benefit equal to one times the Executive's current annual base salary, as in effect at the time of the Change in Control;
(ii) A prorated portion of the Executive's target bonus for the year of termination, based on the number of days worked in the year of termination;
(iii) Subject to Section 6, continuation of Company-provided health (including vision and dental, if provided by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control) and welfare benefits (including executive life insurance coverage, if provided by the Company to the Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control) for one year, on the terms (or comparable terms) provided by the Company to the Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control. Health benefits shall be provided through continued coverage under the Company's group health plan, if allowed under the terms of such plan, or by the reimbursement of COBRA continuation coverage premiums paid by the Executive, as determined by the Company; provided, however, if the health plan is self-insured by the Company, then the determination shall be made by the Executive. Any continuation of group health plan coverage under this paragraph shall run concurrently with the period of required COBRA continuation coverage under the Code. If COBRA continuation coverage is not available, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for premiums for comparable coverage, provided, however, that the reimbursement shall not exceed the greater of (i) two times the annual premium paid by the Company for such coverage at the date of termination or (ii) two times the amount of the COBRA premium under the Company's group health plan for coverage comparable to that elected by the Executive, (A) at the time of the Change of Control or (B) at the time of the required payment, whichever is greater. Welfare benefits (other than health benefits) shall be continued only to the extent permitted under the terms of such plans;
(iv) Continuation of the Executive's then current car benefit for one year in accordance with the Company car policy in effect at the time of termination.
(v) Continued coverage, during the six (6) years following the Executive's termination for his actions or omissions as an officer and, if applicable, director of the Company prior to the date of termination of his employment, under any directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained by the Company (or, if the Company does not maintain such a policy, by its affiliates) for its former directors and officers or, at the Company's election, for the current directors and officers. If the Company or its affiliates does not otherwise maintain such a policy, then the Company shall be required to provide the Executive with such a policy, to the extent available. The policy dollar coverage limits of any such policy shall be not less than the policy limit under any Company policy in place within the one (1) year prior to the Executive's termination of employment (the "Existing Policy") or, if less, the policy dollar coverage limit that can be purchased by the Company for all of its current and former directors and officers at an annual premium equal to two times the Company's annual premium for the Existing Policy.
(d) Subject to Section 11(a) hereof, the Executive's cash severance benefit under Section 4(c)(i) and (ii) shall be paid in a lump sum cash payment within ten (10) days following the Executive's Termination of Employment, as defined in Section 4. Any payment made later than 10 days following the Executive's Termination of Employment (or applicable due date under Section 11(a) hereof) for whatever reason, shall include interest at the prime rate plus two percent, which shall begin accruing on the 10th day following the Executive's Termination of Employment (or applicable due date under Section 11(a) hereof). For purposes of this Section 4, "prime rate" shall be determined by reference to the prime rate established by Comerica Bank (or its successor), in effect from time to time commencing on the 10th day following the Executive's Termination of Employment (or applicable due date under Section 11(a) hereof).
(e) Section 4 of this Agreement shall terminate upon the first of the following events to occur:
(i) Three years from the date hereof if a Change in Control has not occurred within such three-year period;
(ii) Termination of the Executive's employment with the Company prior to a Change in Control, provided, however, if there is a Change in Control within six months after the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, other than a termination due to the Executive's death or Disability, an involuntary termination by the Company for Cause or a termination of employment by the Executive, then the Agreement shall not be deemed to have terminated and the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Change in Control Severance Benefits provided in Section 4, less any Regular Severance Benefits the Executive has been paid under Section 3, in lieu of the severance benefits the Executive is entitled to under Section 3;
(iii) The expiration of two years following a Change in Control;
(iv) Termination of the Executive's employment with the Company following a Change in Control due to the Executive's death or Disability;
(v) Termination of the Executive's employment by the Company for Cause following a Change in Control; or
(vi) Termination of employment by the Executive for other than Good Reason following the date of a Change in Control. Unless Section 4 of this Agreement has first terminated under clauses (ii) through (vi) hereof, commencing on the third anniversary of the date of this Agreement, and on each one-year anniversary thereafter, Section 4 of this Agreement shall be extended for one additional year, unless at least 180 days prior to any such anniversary, the Company notifies the Executive in writing that it shall not extend the term of Section 4 of this Agreement.
Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason in Connection with a Change of Control If during the period commencing three (3) months before and ending twelve (12) months after a Change of Control, (1) Executive terminates his employment with the Company (or any Affiliate) for Good Reason or (2) the Company (or any Affiliate) terminates Executive’s employment for other than Cause, Executive becoming Disabled or Executive’s death, then, subject to Section 4, Executive will receive the following severance from the Company:
Termination Without Cause; Termination for Good Reason Subject to Section 6(b) below, upon termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company by the Company without Cause (as defined in Section 5(f) below) or by the Employee for Good Reason (as defined in Section 5(f) below), other than as a result of death or Disability, the Company shall pay to or provide the Employee the following: (1) any unpaid base salary the Employee has earned through the date of termination, (2) any unpaid annual bonus that the Employee has earned with respect to a year ending prior to such termination, (3) 12 months of the Employee’s then current base salary paid on the Company’s normal payroll dates, (4) the pro-rated portion (based on the number of days in the year completed through the date of termination) of the Employee’s target bonus for the year of termination (paid on the normal date for the payment of the bonus), such amount to be paid only if the Employee has met his pro-rated objective performance targets through the date of termination, (5) an amount equal to the Employee’s target bonus for the year of termination, (6) the costs of COBRA continuation coverage for the Employee and his dependents from the date the Employee’s employment terminates through the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of such termination and (B) the date on which the Employee becomes entitled to health coverage of a similar type from another employer, plus/less (7) any positive/negative accrued vacation days. In addition to the foregoing, upon a termination of the Employee’s employment described in this Section 5(b), any stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted stock, share rights and all other similar types of equity incentives held by the Employee immediately prior to the termination of the Employee’s employment that, but for the termination of the Employee’s employment, would have become vested and, if applicable, exercisable by the first anniversary of the date of his termination of employment, will become immediately vested and, if applicable, exercisable. No amount shall be payable and no benefits shall be provided pursuant to this Section 5(b) until the Employee has executed a release and waiver agreement (substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule C) releasing and waiving any claims against the Company and in which the Company releases and waives claims against the Employee and if the Employee is serving as a Director of the Company a valid and effective resignation from the Board unless the Employee beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the Company’s Common Stock.
Termination Following Change in Control In the event of the occurrence of Constructive Termination within twelve (12) months after the effective date of a Change in Control, Employee may, at Employee's option, terminate Employee's employment due to Constructive Termination unless Employee has entered into an employment agreement with Successor. Such termination shall be effective upon Employee giving notice to Successor. In the event of termination of Employee's employment (1) by Successor within twelve (12) months after the effective date of a Change of Control, or (2) by Employee within twelve (12) months after the effective date of a Change of Control as a result of a Constructive Termination, then (a) Successor shall pay Employee a lump sum cash payment equal to the Severance Amount within 10 business days after the termination of employment; (b) Successor shall make available to Employee, at Employee's cost and expense, medical and other insurance coverage at a level and to the extent required by COBRA; and (c) any outstanding options held by Employee that remain unvested as of the date of termination shall become fully vested and exercisable as of the date of termination of Employee's employment with Successor and prior to the occurrence of an event otherwise terminating the options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any payments under this Section 2 will be deemed to constitute an "excess parachute payment" as defined in Section 280G(b)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (an "Excess Parachute Payment"), then the payments to Employee under this Section 2 shall be limited to an amount equal to the maximum amount that could be paid to Employee so that no such amount, along with all other payments to Employee by Successor, will be deemed to constitute an Excess Parachute Payment. Subject to the terms of this Section 2, Employee shall not be entitled to receive any other compensation or benefits under this Agreement as a result of the termination of Employee's employment following a Change of Control or Constructive Termination.
Termination Without Cause or Termination for Good Reason In the event (x) the Executive's employment hereunder is terminated by the Company without Cause, other than due to Disability or death, or (y) the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason hereunder at his initiative within 60 days following the occurrence of a Good Reason which has not been cured by the Company within 20 calendar days of receipt of notice thereof from the Executive, the Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:
(i) Base Salary through the date of termination;
(ii) a Pro-Rata annual incentive award for the year of termination, based on the target bonus for such year, payable promptly following such termination;
(iii) a lump sum payment in an amount equal to two times the Executive's Base Salary, determined as provided in the last sentence of this Section 14(d), payable promptly following such termination;
(iv) a lump sum payment in an amount equal to two times the Executive's target annual incentive award for the year of termination, payable promptly following such termination;
(v) all outstanding stock options shall become fully vested and exercisable and shall remain exercisable for a period equal to the lesser of five years and the remainder of their originally scheduled terms;
(vi) two additional years of service for the purpose of determining the supplemental pension benefit pursuant to Section 10; provided, however, that the total number of years of service taken into account in determining such benefit shall in no event exceed ten (10); and
(vii) continued participation in all medical, dental, vision and hospitalization insurance coverage and benefits and in all other employee and senior-level executive welfare benefit plans, programs and arrangements in which he was participating on the date of the termination of his employment, on the same terms and conditions as if he had remained employed by the Company, for a period equal to 24 months following the termination of his employment; provided, however, that if the Executive becomes re-employed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described above shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility, provided that, to the extent that the Company's plans, programs and arrangements do not permit such continuation of the Executive's participation following his termination, the Company shall provide the Executive, no less frequently than quarterly in advance with an amount which, after taxes, is sufficient for him to purchase equivalent benefits. For purposes of Section 14(d)(iv) above, Base Salary shall be determined by the Base Salary at the annualized rate in effect on the date of termination of the Executive's employment, provided however, if, prior to the termination of the Executive's employment pursuant to this Section 14(d), the Base Salary has been reduced without the Executive's consent, the Base Salary in effect on the date of termination of the Executive's employment shall be deemed to be the Base Salary as in effect prior to such reduction.
Termination of Employment; Change in Control (i) For purposes of the grant hereunder, any transfer of employment by the Optionee among the Corporation and the Subsidiaries shall not be considered a termination of employment. Except as set forth below in this Section 4(c)(i), if the Optionee's employment with the Corporation shall terminate for any reason, (a) the Option (to the extent then vested) may be exercised at any time within ninety (90) days after such termination (but not beyond the Term of the Option) and (b) the Option, to the extent not then vested, shall immediately expire upon such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) if the Optionee's employment with the Corporation is terminated for Cause (as defined in the last Section hereof), the Option, whether or not then vested, shall be automatically terminated as of the date of such termination of employment, (b) if the Optionee's employment terminates by reason of Retirement, the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Company other than for Cause, or the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined in the last Section hereof), the Option shall remain exercisable for three years from the date of such termination of employment (but not beyond the Term of the Option) and (c) if the Optionee dies or becomes Disabled (A) while employed by the Corporation or (B) within 90 days after the termination of his or her employment (other than a termination described in clause (a) or (b) of this sentence), the Option may be exercised at any time within one year after the Optionee's death or Disability (but not beyond the Term of the Option).
(ii) If the Optionee's employment terminates by reason of death, Disability, Retirement, the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Company other than for Cause, or the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Optionee for Good Reason, the Option shall become fully and immediately vested and exercisable. In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the last Section hereof), the Option shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable.
Termination of Employment Change of Control (a) For purposes of the grant hereunder, any transfer of employment by the Grantee among the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be considered a termination of employment. Any change in employment that does not constitute a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations (or any successor provision) shall not be considered a termination of employment. Any change in employment that does constitute a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations (or any successor provision) shall be considered a termination of employment.
(b) If the Grantee dies or terminates employment due to Disability (as defined in the last Section hereof), all RSUs shall immediately vest, be converted into shares of Common Stock and be distributed to the Grantee within 30 days of the date of such termination; provided, however, that if the Grantee is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) as of the date of such termination, all RSUs shall immediately vest but shall not be converted into shares of Common Stock and distributed to the Grantee until the earlier of (i) the date which is six months after the date of the Grantee’s termination of employment and (ii) the date of the Grantee’s death. If the Grantee’s employment with the Company terminates due to the Grantee’s Retirement (as defined in the last Section hereof), all RSUs shall continue to vest (and be converted into an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock that will be distributed to the Grantee) in accordance with Section 3 above. If the Grantee dies during the three year period immediately following the Retirement of the Grantee, then all RSUs shall immediately vest, be converted into shares of Common Stock and be distributed to the Grantee’s personal representative within 30 days of the date of such death.
(c) Subject to Section 4(d), if the Grantee’s employment terminates for any reason other than death, Disability or Retirement, the Grantee shall forfeit all RSUs.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein or in the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the last Section hereof) or of the termination of this Agreement within twelve months of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company that is taxed under Section 331 of the Code, all RSUs shall immediately vest, be converted into shares of Common Stock and be distributed to the Grantee within 30 days of the date of such event or (in the event of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company) as soon as administratively practicable thereafter.
Good Reason Termination Good Reason Termination means a Termination of Employment initiated by Participant that is related to one or more conditions described in subsection (a), and that is subject to the timing, notice and remedy provisions of subsection (b):
