SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
KEY EMPLOYEE
This Agreement is entered into as of the _____ day of _____________, ____, by and between the FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF INDIANAPOLIS, a corporation organized under the laws of the United States (the “Bank”) and _________________ (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS, the Bank recognizes the valuable services that the Executive will provide and desires to be assured that the Executive will continue his active participation in the business of the Bank; and
WHEREAS, the Executive desires assurance that, in the event of any consolidation, change in control or reorganization of the Bank, he will continue to have the responsibility and status he has earned, either with the Bank or with a successor to the Bank;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual agreements herein contained, the Bank and the Executive hereby agree as follows:
1.Definitions.
“Bank” shall mean the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis and any other entity within the definition of “Bank” in Section 6(a).
“Cause” shall mean (i) the continued failure of the Executive to perform his duties with the Bank (other than any such failure resulting from Disability), after a demand for performance, pursuant to a resolution of the Bank’s Board of Directors, is delivered to the Executive by the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bank, which specifically identifies the manner in which the Executive has not performed his duties, (ii) the personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, or willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than routine traffic violations or similar offenses); or (iii) the removal of the Executive by the Bank at the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or by or at the direction of any successor to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. §§ 4615, 4616, 4617 or 4636a, or any statutory provisions subsequently enacted that grant removal authority to such agency, or any rules or regulations issued thereunder.
“Compensated Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Disability” shall mean, as a result of the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness, the Executive shall have been absent from his duties with the Bank for an aggregate of twelve (12) out of fifteen (15) consecutive months and, within thirty (30) days after a Notice of Termination is thereafter given by the Bank to the Executive, the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties.
“Good Reason” shall mean any of the following:
(a)during the period (1) beginning with the earliest to occur of the following three dates, as applicable: (A) twelve (12) months prior to the execution of a definitive agreement regarding a Reorganization of the Bank or (B) if a Reorganization has been mandated by federal statute, rule, regulation or directive, twelve (12) months prior to the effective date of such Reorganization or (C) twelve (12) months prior to the adoption of a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Bank, and (2) ending twenty-four (24) months after the effective date of such Reorganization,
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(i) a material change in the Executive’s status, position, job title or principal duties
and responsibilities as a key employee of the Bank which does not represent
a promotion from the Executive’s status and position as in effect as of the date
hereof (“Position”), or
(ii) the assignment to the Executive of any duties or responsibilities (or removal
of any duties or responsibilities), which assignment or removal is materially
inconsistent with such Position, or
(iii) any removal of the Executive from such Position (including, without limitation,
all demotions and harassing assignments), except in connection with the
termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause or Disability, or as a
result of the Executive’s death;
(b)within twenty-four (24) months after the effective date of a Reorganization of the Bank, (a) a reduction by the Bank in the Executive’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to such Reorganization, or (b) the Bank’s (or its successor’s) failure to increase (within 12 months of the Executive’s last increase in base salary) the Executive’s base salary after a Reorganization of the Bank in an amount which is not less than 50% of the average percentage increase in base salary for all officers of the Bank effected in the preceding twelve (12) months;
(c)within twenty-four (24) months after the effective date of a Reorganization of the Bank, (a) any failure by the Bank to continue in effect any plan or arrangement, including, without limitation, benefit and incentive plans, in which the Executive is participating immediately prior to such Reorganization (hereinafter referred to as “Plans”), unless such Plans have been replaced with similar benefits that are not materially less than the Executive’s benefits under such Plans, or (b) the taking of any action by the Bank which would adversely affect the Executive’s participation in or materially reduce the Executive’s benefits under any such Plan or in or under fringe benefits enjoyed by the Executive immediately prior to the time of such Reorganization of the Bank;
(d)any material breach by the Bank of any provisions of this Agreement or any other agreement with the Executive; or
(e)any failure by the Bank or its successors and assigns to obtain the assumption of this Agreement by any successor or assign of the Bank.
“Notice of Termination” shall mean a written notice which shall indicate those specific termination provisions in this Agreement upon which the Bank or the Executive, as the case may be, has relied for such termination and which 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.
“Payment Determination Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
“Reorganization” of the Bank shall mean the occurrence at any time of any of the following events:
(i) | The Bank is merged or consolidated with or reorganized into or with another bank or other entity, or another bank or other entity is merged or consolidated into the Bank; |
(ii) | The Bank sells or transfers all, or substantially all of its business and/or assets to another bank or other entity; |
(iii) | More than fifty percent (50%) of the total market value or total voting power of all ownership interests in the Bank is acquired, within any 12-month period, by one person or entity or by more than one person or entity acting as a group; or |
(iv) | The liquidation or dissolution of the Bank. |
Provided that the term “Reorganization” shall not include any Reorganization that is mandated by federal statute, rule, regulation, or directive, including 12 U.S.C. § 1421, et seq., as amended, and 12 U.S.C. § 4501
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et seq., as amended, and which the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (or successor agency) has determined should not be a basis for making payment under this Agreement, by reason of the capital condition of the Bank or because of unsafe or unsound acts, practices, or condition ascertained in the course of the Agency’s supervision of the Bank or because any of the conditions identified in 12 U.S.C. § 4617(a)(3) are met with respect to the Bank (which conditions do not result solely from the mandated reorganization itself, or from action that the Agency has required the Bank to take under 12 U.S.C. § 1431(d)).
“Retirement” shall mean the planned and voluntary termination by the Executive of his employment on or after reaching the earliest retirement age permitted by the Bank’s qualified retirement plans.
2.Compensated Termination.
(a) Compensated Termination. If the Executive incurs a Compensated Termination while
the Executive is employed by the Bank or within twenty-four (24) months after the effective date of
a Reorganization of the Bank (whether the Executive is then employed by the Bank or a successor
to the Bank as a result of such Reorganization), the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided
in Section 4(a). For purposes of this Agreement, a “Compensated Termination” means termination
of the Executive’s employment under either of the following circumstances:
(i) By the Executive for Good Reason; or
(ii) By the Bank, or by its successor in a Reorganization, without Cause at any
time during the period (1) beginning with the earliest to occur of the following
three dates, as applicable (A) twelve (12) months prior to the execution of a
definitive agreement regarding a Reorganization, or (B) if a Reorganization
has been mandated by federal statute, rule, regulation or directive, twelve (120)
months prior to the effective date of such Reorganization, or (C) twelve (12)
months prior to the adoption of a plan or proposal for the liquidation or
dissolution of the Bank, and (2) ending twenty-four (24) months after the
effective date of such Reorganization.
(b) Payment Determination Date. “Payment Determination Date,” for purposes of
determining when a payment resulting from a Compensated Termination must be made
pursuant to Section 4(a), shall mean the effective date of the termination of the Executive’s
employment with the Bank if such termination is a “Compensated Termination.”
(c) Non-Compensated Termination. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the following
events shall result in any payment to the Executive for a Compensated Termination under Section 4
(a):
(i) The termination of employment by the Executive without Good Reason;
(ii) The termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause by the Bank or its
successor in a Reorganization;
(iii) The termination of the Executive’s employment Without Cause by the Bank
or its successor in a Reorganization, (1) prior to the date which is the earliest
to occur of the following three dates, as applicable: (A) twelve (12) months
prior to the execution of a definitive agreement regarding a Reorganization of
the Bank or (B) if a Reorganization has been mandated by federal statute, rule,
regulation or directive, twelve (12) months prior to the effective date of such
Reorganization or (C) twelve (12) months prior to the adoption of a plan or
proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Bank, or (2) more than twenty
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-four (24) months after the effective date of a Reorganization;
(iv) The termination of the Executive’s employment by the Bank or its successor
in a Reorganization for Disability;
(v) The death of the Executive; or
(vi) The Retirement of the Executive, if the Executive has delivered written notice
to the Bank, before the commencement of the time period described in Section
2(c)(iii), of his intention to retire.
3.Termination of Employment.
(a) Termination by the Bank. The Bank may terminate the employment of the Executive
as follows:
(i) For Cause upon the adoption of a resolution by the affirmative vote of not less
than a majority of the entire membership of the Bank’s Board of Directors at
a meeting of the Board (after reasonable notice to the Executive and an
opportunity for the Executive, together with counsel, to be heard by the Board),
finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board the Executive was guilty of
conduct set forth in the definition of “Cause” in Section 1 and specifying the
particulars thereof in detail. A vote of the Board is not required if the Executive
is removed for cause by the Bank at the direction of the Federal Housing
Finance Agency, or by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or by or at the
direction of any successor to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, pursuant
to 12 U.S.C. §§ 4615, 4616, 4617 or 4636a, or any statutory provisions
subsequently enacted that grant removal authority to such agency, or any rules
or regulations issued thereunder.;
(ii) Without Cause;
(iii) Upon the Disability of the Executive; and
(iv) Upon the death of the Executive.
(b) Termination by Executive. The Executive may terminate his employment with the
Bank as follows:
(i) For Good Reason;
(ii) Without Good Reason; or
(iii) Upon the Executive’s Retirement, in which case the Executive shall be entitled
to all benefits under any retirement plan of the Bank and other plans to which
the Executive is a party.
(c) Preservation of Compensated Termination. The provisions of Sections 3(a) and 3(b)
are included in this Agreement for clarification of the rights of termination of the employment
relationship between the Bank and the Executive, but such provisions shall not prejudice the
Executive’s right to receive payments or benefits required to be provided to the Executive if any such
termination is a “Compensated Termination.”
(d) Notice of Termination.
(i) Any termination by the Bank for Disability or Cause shall be communicated
by a Notice of Termination; provided, however, that the failure by the Bank
to give notice in such circumstances shall not constitute a Compensated
Termination.
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(ii) Any termination of employment by the Executive for Good Reason will be a
Compensated Termination only if the Executive gives Notice of Termination
to the Bank therefore within ninety (90) days of the event or occurrence which
constitutes “Good Reason,” provided, further, that, if the Executive gives such
Notice of Termination to the Bank in a timely manner, the Executive shall not
be deemed to have waived any of his rights hereunder in the event he remains
in the employment of the Bank while he and the Bank engage in good faith
discussions to resolve any event or occurrence which constitutes “Good
Reason.” The Bank has a thirty (30) day period following receipt of notice
during which it may remedy the condition and not be required to pay the
amount.
(iii) Any termination by the Bank without Cause or by the Executive without Good
Reason shall be communicated to the other party in accordance with the general
notice provisions of this Agreement.
4.Payment for Compensated Termination.
(a) In the event of a Compensated Termination, the Bank shall pay or provide the Executive with an amount equal to one (1.0) times the average of the three (3) preceding calendar years’ gross base salary (inclusive of amounts deferred under a qualified or nonqualified plan sponsored by the Bank) and gross bonuses (inclusive of any amounts deferred under a qualified or nonqualified plan sponsored by the Bank) paid to the Executive during such years (provided that for any calendar year in which the Executive received base salary for less than the entire calendar year, the gross amount shall be annualized as if such amount had been payable for the entire calendar year). The Bank shall distribute such amount in a lump sum in cash within twenty (20) days of the Payment Determination Date.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 4(a), if the Bank is not in compliance with any applicable regulatory capital or regulatory leverage requirement or if the payment would cause the Bank to fall below applicable regulatory requirements, such payment shall be deferred until such time as the Bank achieves compliance with its regulatory requirement.
(c) In the event of a Compensated Termination, the Bank shall pay the Executive a dollar amount equal the cash equivalent of the Bank’s contribution for medical and dental insurance premiums for the Executive (and his or her spouse and dependents if they were covered at the time of termination) for a 12-month period, which the Executive may use to pay for continuation coverage under the Bank’s medical and dental insurance policies in accordance with the requirements of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“CORBRA”).
(d) The Executive shall be responsible for the payment of all federal, state and local income taxes which may be due with respect to any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement.
5.No Obligation to Seek Further Employment; No Effect on Other Contractual Rights.
(a) The Executive shall not be required to seek other employment, nor shall any payment made under this Agreement be reduced by any compensation received from other employment.
(b) The provisions of this Agreement, and any payment provided for hereunder, shall not reduce any amounts otherwise payable, or in any way diminish the Executive’s existing rights, or rights which would accrue solely as a result of the passage of time, under any Plan.
6.Successor to the Bank.
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(a) This Agreement is binding upon the successors and assigns of the Bank. The Bank and its successors and assigns will require any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect, in a Reorganization, by operation of law, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Bank, to enter into a written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Executive. In the written agreement, the successor and its assigns will expressly, absolutely and unconditionally assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Bank would be required to perform it if no such succession or assignment had taken place. In such event, the Bank agrees that it shall pay or shall cause such employer to pay any amounts owed to the Executive pursuant to Section 4.
As used in this Agreement, “Bank” shall mean the Bank as hereinbefore defined and any successor or assign to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law. If at any time during the term of this Agreement the Executive is employed by any corporation a majority of the voting securities of which is then owned by the Bank, the term “Bank” shall include such employer. Whether or not another entity becomes the successor or assign of the Bank under this Agreement, the maximum amount which the Executive may receive from all sources under this Agreement in a Compensated Termination shall be the amounts set forth in Section 4.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal and legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amounts are still payable to him hereunder, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the beneficiary designated by notice in writing executed by the Executive and filed with the Bank, or failing such designation, to the Executive’s estate.
7.Late Payment of Benefits. Any payment made later than the time provided for in Section 4(a) for whatever reason, including, without limitation, the reasons set forth in Section 4(b), shall include interest at the Bank’s cost of funds plus five percent (5%), which shall begin to accrue on the tenth (10th) day following the Executive’s Payment Determination Date.
8.Employment Rights. This Agreement shall not confer upon the Executive any right to continue in the employ of the Bank and shall not in any way affect the right of the Bank to dismiss or otherwise terminate the Executive’s employment at any time and for any reason with or without cause. This Agreement is not intended (a) to be an employment agreement or (b) to define all aspects of the employment relationship between the Bank and the Executive including, but not limited to applicable employment or benefit policies of the Bank. To the extent there is any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any employment or benefit policies of the Bank, the terms of this Agreement shall control. Any payments or benefits to which the Executive may be entitled under Section 4 will not constitute wages for work performed by the Executive.
9.Tax Withholding. The Bank will withhold from any amounts payable to Executive under this Agreement to satisfy all applicable federal, state, local or other withholding taxes. All amounts payable under Section 4(a) are considered “wages” to be reported on Form W-2. The normal withholding rules for wages apply. The Bank will also withhold any excise taxes owed under Code Section 4999.
10.Notice. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand,
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delivered by a nationally-recognized overnight courier service, or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, as follows:
If to the Bank:
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Chairman of the Board of Directors
With a copy to the President
If to the Executive:
___________________________
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
or such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Any notice shall be effective upon receipt.
11.Legal Fees and Expenses. The Bank shall pay all reasonable legal fees and expenses which the Executive may incur as a result of the Bank’s contesting the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the calculation of amounts payable hereunder so long as the Executive is wholly or partially successful on the merits or the parties agree to a settlement of the dispute.
12.Term. This Agreement shall remain in effect during the Executive’s employment until ______________________. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Agreement shall survive termination of the Executive’s employment (if it is in effect on termination of employment) until all payments and benefits the Executive is then entitled to, or becomes entitled to, under the Agreement, if any, have been paid or satisfied.
13.Arbitration.
(a) Disputes regarding this Agreement are subject to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis Agreement to Arbitrate by and between the Bank and the Executive dated _________________ (“Arbitration Agreement”). No cancellation, replacement or modification to the arbitration procedures under the Arbitration Agreement shall be effective unless agreed to in writing by both the Bank and the Executive. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the Arbitration Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.
(b) If within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination is given, the party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the Termination, the parties shall promptly proceed to arbitration as provided in Section 13(a). Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, the Bank shall continue to pay the Executive his base salary and provide such other compensation and benefits, all as in effect immediately prior to the Notice of Termination. If it is determined that the Executive is not entitled to any compensation under Section 4, the Executive shall return all cash amounts to the Bank promptly following the date of resolution by arbitration, with interest thereon commencing as of the date of the resolution of the dispute by arbitration at the prime rate of interest as published by the Wall Street Journal from time to time. Any cash amounts paid to the Executive pending the resolution of the dispute by arbitration shall offset any amounts determined to be due to the Executive under Section 4.
14.Miscellaneous.
(a) No Modification. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the party or parties hereto to be bound.
(b) No Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the 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.
(c) Entire Agreement. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
(d) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana (excluding conflicts of laws principles), except to the extent such law is preempted by the laws of the United States.
(e) Headings. Section or paragraph headings contained herein are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered a part of this Agreement.
(f) Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
(g) 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.
(h) Rescission of Prior Agreement. This Agreement shall rescind and be in full replacement of any prior “Key Employee Severance Agreement” entered into between the Executive and the Bank.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed and effective as of the date first above written.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF
THE EXECUTIVE: INDIANAPOLIS:
________________________ By: ______________________________
Chairman, Board of Directors
By: ______________________________
Vice Chairman, Board of Directors
By: ______________________________
EVP-COO, Business Operations
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