EXHIBIT 10.1
CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
THIS CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT is dated this 1st day of
March 2002, among Peoples Community Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Corporation"), Peoples Community Bank, a Federally chartered savings bank and
wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation (the "Bank"), and Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
(the "Executive"). The Corporation and the Bank are collectively referred to
as the "Employers".
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Executive is presently an officer of each of the Employers;
WHEREAS, the Employers desire to be ensured of the Executive's continued
active participation in the business of the Employers; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Executive to remain in the employ of the
Employers and in consideration of the Executive's agreeing to remain in the
employ of the Employers, the parties desire to specify the severance benefits
which shall be due the Executive in the event that his employment with the
Employers is terminated under specified circumstances;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein
contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the
parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions. The following words and terms shall have the
meanings set forth below for the purposes of this Agreement:
(a) Annual Compensation. The Executive's "Annual Compensation" for
purposes of this Agreement shall be deemed to mean the average level of
compensation paid to the Executive by the Employers or any subsidiary thereof
during the most recent five taxable years preceding the Date of Termination
(or such shorter period as the Executive was employed), and which was included
in the Executive's gross income for tax purposes, including but not limited to
the Executive's salary, bonuses and all other amounts taxable to the
Executive pursuant to any employee benefit plans of the Employers.
(b) Cause. Termination of the Executive's employment for "Cause" shall
mean termination because of personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful
misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional
failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule or
regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses), final cease-
and-desist order or material breach of any provision of this Agreement. For
purposes of this paragraph, no act or failure to act on the Executive's part
shall be considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Executive's
action or omission was in the best interests of the Employers.
(c) Change in Control of the Corporation. "Change in Control of the
Corporation" shall mean a change in control of a nature that would be required
to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange
Act"), or any successor thereto, whether or not the Corporation is registered
under the Exchange Act; provided that, without limitation, such a change in
control shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any "person" (as such term is
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly
or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing 25% or more of
the combined voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding securities; or
(ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Corporation
cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof unless the
election, or the nomination for election by stockholders, of each new director
was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in
office who were directors at the beginning of the period.
(d) Code. "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" shall mean (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated for Cause, the date on which the Notice
of Termination is given, and (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated
for any other reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination.
(f) Disability. Termination by the Employers of the Executive's
employment based on "Disability" shall mean termination because of any
physical or mental impairment which qualifies the Executive for disability
benefits under the applicable long-term disability plan maintained by the
Employers or any subsidiary or, if no such plan applies, which would qualify
the Executive for disability benefits under the Federal Social Security
System.
(g) Good Reason. Termination by the Executive of the Executive's
employment for "Good Reason" shall mean termination by the Executive following
a Change in Control of the Corporation based on:
(i) Without the Executive's express written consent, the failure
to elect or to re-elect or to appoint or to re-appoint the
Executive to the office of Senior Vice President of the
Employers or a material adverse change made by the Employers
in the Executive's functions, duties or responsibilities as
Senior Vice President of the Employers;
(ii) Without the Executive's express written consent, a material
reduction by the Employers in the Executive's base salary as
the same may be increased from time to time or a material
reduction in the package of fringe benefits provided to the
Executive, taken as a whole;
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(iii) Without the Executive's express written consent, the
Employers require the Executive to work in an office which
is more than 30 miles from the location of the Employers'
current principal executive office, except for required
travel on business of the Employers to an extent
substantially consistent with the Executive's present
business travel obligations;
(iv) Any purported termination of the Executive's employment for
Disability or Retirement which is not effected pursuant to a
Notice of Termination satisfying the requirements of
paragraph (i) below; or
(v) The failure by the Employers to obtain the assumption of and
agreement to perform this Agreement by any successor as
contemplated in Section 6 hereof.
(h) IRS. IRS shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.
(i) Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of the
Executive's employment by the Employers for any reason, including without
limitation for Cause, Disability or Retirement, or by the Executive for any
reason, including without limitation for Good Reason, shall be communicated by
written "Notice of Termination" to the other party hereto. For purposes of
this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a dated notice which (i)
indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon,
(ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated, (iii) specifies a Date of Termination, which shall be
not less than thirty (30) nor more than ninety (90) days after such Notice of
Termination is given, except in the case of the Employers' termination of the
Executive's employment for Cause, which shall be effective immediately; and
(iv) is given in the manner specified in Section 7 hereof.
(j) Retirement. "Retirement" shall mean voluntary termination by the
Executive in accordance with the Employers' retirement policies, including
early retirement, generally applicable to the Employers' salaried employees.
2. Benefits Upon Termination. If the Executive's employment by the
Employers shall be terminated subsequent to a Change in Control of the
Corporation by (i) the Employers for other than Cause, Disability, Retirement
or the Executive's death or (ii) the Executive for Good Reason, then the
Employers shall:
(a) pay to the Executive, in either twelve (12) equal monthly
installments beginning with the first business day of the month following the
Date of Termination or in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination (at the
Executive's election), a cash severance amount equal to one (1) times the
Executive's Annual Compensation; and
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(b) maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) the
expiration of the remaining term of this Agreement as of the Date of
Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive's full-time employment by
another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of
such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this
subparagraph (b)), at no cost to the Executive, the Executive's continued
participation in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident
insurance, disability insurance and other employee benefit plans, programs and
arrangements offered by the Employers in which the Executive was entitled to
participate immediately prior to the Date of Termination (excluding (y) stock
option and restricted stock plans of the Employers and (z) cash incentive
compensation included in Annual Compensation), provided that in the event that
the Executive's participation in any plan, program or arrangement as provided
in this subparagraph (b) is barred, or during such period any such plan,
program or arrangement is discontinued or the benefits thereunder are
materially reduced, the Employers shall arrange to provide the Executive with
benefits substantially similar to those which the Executive was entitled to
receive under such plans, programs and arrangements immediately prior to the
Date of Termination.
3. Limitation of Benefits under Certain Circumstances. If the
payments and benefits pursuant to Section 2 hereof, either alone or together
with other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right to receive
from the Employers, would constitute a "parachute payment" under Section 280G
of the Code, the payments and benefits payable by the Employers pursuant to
Section 2 hereof shall be reduced, in the manner determined by the Executive,
by the amount, if any, which is the minimum necessary to result in no portion
of the payments and benefits under Section 2 being non-deductible to either of
the Employers pursuant to Section 280G of the Code and subject to the excise
tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code. The determination of any
reduction in the payments and benefits to be made pursuant to Section 2 shall
be based upon the opinion of independent tax counsel selected by the Employers
and paid by the Employers. Such counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Employers and the Executive; shall promptly prepare the foregoing opinion, but
in no event later than thirty (30) days from the Date of Termination; and may
use such actuaries as such counsel deems necessary or advisable for the
purpose. In the event that the Employers and/or the Executive do not agree
with the opinion of such counsel, (i) the Employers shall pay to the Executive
the maximum amount of payments and benefits pursuant to Section 2, as selected
by the Executive, which such opinion indicates that there is a high
probability do not result in any of such payments and benefits being
non-deductible to the Employers and subject to the imposition of the excise
tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code and (ii) the Employers may request,
and Executive shall have the right to demand that the Employers request, a
ruling from the IRS as to whether the disputed payments and benefits pursuant
to Section 2 hereof have such consequences. Any such request for a ruling
from the IRS shall be promptly prepared and filed by the Employers, but in no
event later than thirty (30) days from the date of the opinion of counsel
referred to above, and shall be subject to Executive's approval prior to
filing, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Employers and Executive
agree to be bound by any ruling received from the IRS and to make appropriate
payments to each other to reflect any such rulings, together with interest at
the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.
Nothing contained herein shall result in a reduction of any payments or
benefits to which the Executive may
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be entitled upon termination of employment under any circumstances other than
as specified in this Section 3, or a reduction in the payments and benefits
specified in Section 2 below zero.
4. Mitigation; Exclusivity of Benefits.
(a) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any
benefits hereunder by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the
amount of any such benefits be reduced by any compensation earned by the
Executive as a result of employment by another employer after the Date of
Termination or otherwise.
(b) The specific arrangements referred to herein are not intended to
exclude any other benefits which may be available to the Executive upon a
termination of employment with the Employers pursuant to employee benefit
plans of the Employers or otherwise.
5. Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Employers
hereunder to the Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such
amounts, if any, relating to tax and other payroll deductions as the Employers
may reasonably determine should be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation.
6. Assignability. The Employers may assign this Agreement and their
rights and obligations hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any
corporation, bank, savings association or other entity with or into which
either of the Employers may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which either
of the Employers may transfer all or substantially all of its respective
assets, if in any such case said corporation, bank or other entity shall by
operation of law or expressly in writing assume all obligations of the
Employers hereunder as fully as if it had been originally made a party hereto,
but may not otherwise assign this Agreement or their rights and obligations
hereunder. The Executive may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any
rights or obligations hereunder.
7. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the
respective addresses set forth below:
To the Employers: Boards of Directors
Peoples Community Bancorp, Inc.
Peoples Community Bank
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
To the Executive: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
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8. Amendment; Waiver. No provisions of this Agreement may be
modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge
is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and such officer or
officers as may be specifically designated by the Boards of Directors of the
Employers to sign on their behalf. No waiver by any party hereto at any time
of any breach by any other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition
or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be
deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same
or at any prior or subsequent time.
9. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United
States where applicable and otherwise by the substantive laws of the
Corporation's state of jurisdiction.
10. Nature of Employment and Obligations.
(a) Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to create other than a
terminable at will employment relationship between the Employers and the
Executive, and the Employers may terminate the Executive's employment at any
time, subject to providing any payments specified herein in accordance with
the terms hereof.
(b) Nothing contained herein shall create or require the Employers to
create a trust of any kind to fund any benefits which may be payable
hereunder, and to the extent that the Executive acquires a right to receive
benefits from the Employers hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the
right of any unsecured general creditor of the Employers.
11. Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement shall be for one
year, commencing on the date of this Agreement and, upon approval of the
Boards of Directors of the Employers, shall extend for an additional year on
each annual anniversary of the date of this Agreement. Prior to the first
annual anniversary of the date of this Agreement and each annual anniversary
thereafter, the Boards of Directors of the Employers shall consider and review
(after taking into account all relevant factors, including the Executive's
performance) an extension of the term of this Agreement, and the term shall
continue to extend each year if the Boards of Directors approve such extension
unless the Executive gives written notice to the Employers of the Executive's
election not to extend the term, with such written notice to be given not less
than thirty (30) days prior to any such anniversary date. If the Boards of
Directors of the Employers elect not to extend the term, they shall give
written notice of such decision to the Executive not less than thirty (30)
days prior to any such anniversary date. If any party gives timely notice
that the term will not be extended as of any annual anniversary date, then
this Agreement shall terminate at the conclusion of its remaining term.
References herein to the term of this Agreement shall refer both to the
initial term and successive terms.
12. Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are
for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
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13. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.
15. Regulatory Prohibition. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to
this Agreement, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their
compliance with Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
Section 1828(k)) and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement
between the Employers and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to
herein. All prior agreements between the Employers and the Executive with
respect to the matters agreed to herein are hereby superseded and shall have
no force or effect.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date
first above written.
Attest: PEOPLES COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
President and Chief Executive Officer
Attest: PEOPLES COMMUNITY BANK
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
President and Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
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