Exhibit 99.A
BLIMPIE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
OMNIBUS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN(1)
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.01. Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant
or any written instrument issued by the Company to a Participant (including any
amendment or supplement thereto) specifying the terms and conditions of an award
of Restricted Shares or Performance Shares or a grant of an Option or SAR made
to such Participant.
1.02. Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.03. Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
1.04. Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board, consisting
solely of not less than two non-employee directors who have been appointed to
administer the Plan.
1.05. Common Stock means the Company's common stock, $.01 par value.
1.06. Company means Blimpie International, Inc.
1.07. Corresponding SAR means a SAR that is granted in relation to a particular
Option and that can be exercised only upon the surrender to the Company,
unexercised, of that portion of the Option to which the SAR relates.
1.08. Date of Exercise means (i) with respect to an Option, the date that the
Option price is received by, and (ii) with respect to a SAR, the date that the
notice of exercise is received by, the Company.
1.09. Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be the mean between the
following prices, as applicable, for the date as of which fair market value is
to be determined, as quoted in The Wall Street Journal (or in such other
reliable publication as the Committee, in its discretion, may determine to rely
upon): (a) if the Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the
highest and lowest sales prices per share of the Common Stock as quoted in the
NYSE-Composite Transactions listing for such date, (b) if the Common Stock is
not listed on such exchange, the highest and lowest sales prices per share of
Common Stock
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(1) As amended by the Board of Directors on October 7, 1996.
for such date on (or on any composite index including) the
principal United States securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act
on which the Common Stock is listed, or (c) if the Common Stock is not listed
on any such exchange, the highest and lowest sales prices per share of the
Common Stock for such date on the Nasdaq Stock Market or any successor thereto
("Nasdaq"). If there are no such sale price quotations for the date as of which
fair market value is to be determined, but there are such sale price quotations
within a reasonable period both before and after such date, then fair market
value shall be determined by taking a weighted average of the means between the
highest and lowest sales prices per share of the Common Stock as so quoted on
the nearest date before and the nearest date after the date as of which fair
market value is to be determined. The average should be weighted inversely by
the respective numbers of trading days between the selling dates and the date
as of which fair market value is to be determined. If there are no such sale
price quotations on or within a reasonable period both before and after the
date as of which fair market value is to be determined, then fair market value
of the Common Stock shall be the mean between the bona fide bid and asked
prices per share of Common Stock as so quoted for such date on Nasdaq, or if
none, the weighted average of the means between such bona fide bid and asked
prices on the nearest trading date before and the nearest trading date after
the date as of which fair market value is to be determined, if both such dates
are within a reasonable period. The average is to be determined in the manner
described above in this paragraph. If the fair market value of the Common Stock
cannot be determined on the basis previously set forth in this paragraph on the
date as of which fair market value is to be determined, the Committee shall in
good faith determine the fair market value of the Common Stock on such date.
Fair market value shall be determined without regard to any restriction other
than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse.
1.10 Incentive Stock Option shall have the meaning given to it by Section 422
of the Code.
1.11. Initial Value means, with respect to a SAR, the Fair Market Value of one
share of Common Stock on the date of grant, as set forth in an Agreement.
1.12 Involuntary Termination means a Termination of Employment for a reason
other than death, Retirement, Total Disability or voluntary resignation.
1.13 Nonstatutory Option means any Option granted by the Company pursuant to
this Plan which is not an Incentive Stock Option.
1.14. Option means any stock option that entitles the holder to purchase from
the Company a stated number of shares of Common Stock at the price set forth in
an Agreement.
1.15. Participant means an employee of the Company, or of a Subsidiary,
including
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an employee who is a member of the Board, or a non-employee director, and any
other person who satisfies the requirements of Article IV and is selected by the
Committee or by the Board to receive a Restricted Share or Performance Share
award, an Option, a SAR, or a combination thereof.
1.16 Performance Period means an accounting period of the Company or a
Subsidiary of not less than one year, as determined by the Committee in its
discretion.
1.17. Performance Share means an award, expressed in dollars or shares of
Common Stock, granted to a Participant with respect to a Performance Period.
Awards of Performace Shares expressed in dollars may be established as fixed
dollar amounts, as a percentage of salary, as a percentage of a pool based on
earnings of the Company, a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries or any branch, department
or other portion thereof or in any other manner determined by the Committee in
its discretion, provided that the amount thereof shall be capable of being
determined as a fixed dollar amount as of the close of the Performance Period.
1.18 Performance Target means that level of performance established by the
Committee which must be met in order for an award of Performance Shares to be
fully earned. The Performance Target may be expressed in terms of earnings per
share, return on assets, asset growth, ratio of capital to assets or such other
level or levels of accomplishment by the Company, a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries,
any branch, department or other portion thereof or the Participant individually
as may be established or revised from time to time by the Committee.
1.19. Plan means the Blimpie International, Inc. Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan.
1.20. Restricted Shares means shares of Common Stock awarded to a Participant
under Article VII. Shares of Common Stock shall cease to be Restricted Shares
when, in accordance with the terms of the applicable Agreement, they become
transferable and free of substantial risks of forfeiture.
1.21. Retirement means a Termination of Employment by reason of a Participant's
cessation of employment (or, in the case of a non-employee director, the
cessation of his or her tenure as such), other than by reason of a Total
Disability or Termination for Cause.
1.22. SAR means a stock appreciation right that entitles the holder to receive,
with respect to each share of Common Stock encompassed by the exercise of such
SAR, the amount determined by the Committee and specified in an Agreement. In
the absence of such a determination, the holder shall be entitled to receive,
with respect to each share of Common Stock encompassed by the exercise of such
SAR, the excess of the Fair Market Value on the Date of Exercise over the
Initial Value. References
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to "SARs" include both Corresponding SARs and SARs granted independently of
Options, unless the context requires otherwise.
1.23. Subsidiary means any "subsidiary corporation" as such term is defined in
Code section 424.
1.24 Termination of Employment means with respect to (a) Participants who are
employees of the Company or a Subsidiary, the time when the employee-employer
relationship between the Participant and the Company ceases to exist for any
reason including, but not limited to termination by resignation, discharge,
death, Total Disability or Retirement; and (b) Participants who are
non-employee directors, the time when the Participant ceases to be a director
by reason of his or her resignation, failure to stand for re-election or
dismissal.
1.25 Termination for Cause means an Involuntary Termination of a Participant:
(a) if the Participant has a written employment agreement with the Company or
any Subsidiary, "for cause" as that or a similar term is defined in the
employment agreement; or (b) if the Participant does not have a written
employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary, by reason of (i) the
Participant's dishonesty or misconduct (including substance abuse) in the
performance of his or her duties; or (ii) a wilful failure by the Participant
to perform his or her assigned duties which adversely affects the Company; of
(iii) the conviction of the Participant of a felony or other criminal act. All
determinations of whether or not a Termination for Employment is "for cause"
will be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion.
1.26 Total Disability means the inability of a Participant to engage in any
substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or
mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted
or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
All determinations as to the date and extent of disability of a Participant
will be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion.
1.27 Non-Employee Director means a director who:
(a) is not currently an officer of the Company or a parent or subsidiary of
the Company, or otherwise currently employed by the Company or a parent or
subsidiary of the Company;
(b) does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, for
services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a director,
except for an amount which does not exceed the dollar amount for which
disclosure would be required pursuant to any provision of Regulations S-K
promulgated by the Commission;
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(c) does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which
disclosure would be required by any provision of said Regulation S-K; and
(d) is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be
required by any provision of said Regulation S-K.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSES
The Plan is intended to assist the Company in recruiting and retaining
employees and directors with ability and initiative by enabling them to
participate in its future success and to associate their interests with those
of the Company and its shareholders. The Plan is intended to permit the award
of Restricted Shares, the award of Performance Shares, the grant of SARs, and
the grant of both Incentive Stock Options and Nonstatutory Options. The
proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to this
Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.
ARTICLE III
ADMINISTRATION
Except as provided in this Article III, the Plan shall be administered by
the Committee. The Committee shall have authority to award Restricted Shares
and Performance Shares and to grant Options and SARs upon such terms (not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan) as the Committee may consider
appropriate. Such terms may include conditions (in addition to those contained
in this Plan) on the exercisability of all or any part of an Option or SAR or
on the transferability or forfeitability of Restricted Shares. Notwithstanding
any such conditions, the Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the time
at which any Option or SAR may be exercised or the time at which Restricted
Shares may become transferable or nonforfeitable. In addition the Committee
shall have complete authority to interpret all provisions of this Plan; to
prescribe the form of Agreements; to adopt, amend, and rescind rules and
regulations pertaining to the administration of the Plan; and to make all other
determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. The
express grant in the Plan of any specific power to the Committee shall not be
construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. Any decision
made, or action taken, by the Committee or in connection with the
administration of this Plan shall be final and conclusive. No member of the
Committee shall be liable for any act done in good faith with respect to this
Plan or any Agreement, or Option, SAR, Restricted Share award or
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Performance Share award. All expenses of administering this Plan shall be borne
by the Company.
The Committee, in its discretion, may delegate to one or more officers
of the Company all or part of the Committee's authority and duties with respect
to Participants who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect from time to
time (the "Exchange Act"). In the event of such delegation, and as to matters
encompassed by the delegation, references in the Plan to the Committee shall be
interpreted as a reference to the Committee's delegate or delegates. The
Committee may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time, but such
action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Committee's delegate or
delegates that were consistent with the terms of the Plan.
In addition to, and not in substitution or replacement of, the powers
and authority conferred upon the Committee pursuant to this Plan, the Board
shall also be entitled to award Restricted Shares or Performance Shares and/or
to grant one or more Options, SARs, or Options and SARs to any eligible
Participant, and when it makes such awards and/or grants, all of the provisions
of this Plan which pertain to the Committee shall be construed as though the
word "Board" appeared in place of the word "Committee," and the Board shall
have, and shall be entitled to exercise, all of the powers and authority
conferred upon the Committee when making, amending, modifying canceling,
settling or rescinding any of such awards and/or grants.
ARTICLE IV
ELIGIBILITY
4.01. General. Any employee of the Company or of any Subsidiary (including any
corporation that becomes a Subsidiary after the adoption of this Plan) is
eligible to participate in this Plan if the Committee, in its sole discretion,
determines that such person has contributed or can be expected to contribute to
the profits or growth of the Company or a Subsidiary. Any such employee may be
awarded Restricted Shares or Performance Shares or may be granted one or more
Options, SARs, or Options and SARs. A director of the Company who is an
employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, and a non-employee director of the
Company or a Subsidiary, may be awarded Restricted Shares and Performance
Shares and may be granted Options or SARs under this Plan. Further, the
Committee may from time to time in its sole discretion award Restricted Shares
and Performance Shares and may grant Options or SARs to non-employees or
non-key employees in conjunction with mergers and acquisition transactions.
4.02. Grants. The Committee will designate individuals to whom Restricted
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Shares and Performance Shares are to be awarded and to whom Options and SARs
are to be granted and will specify the number of shares of Common Stock subject
to each award or grant. An Option may be granted with or without a related SAR.
The Committee may grant Incentive Stock Options and Nonstatutory Options to the
same Participant, but not in tandem. A SAR may be granted with or without a
related Option. All Restricted Shares and Performance Shares awarded, and all
Options and SARs granted, under this Plan shall be evidenced by Agreements
which shall be subject to the applicable provisions of this Plan and to such
other provisions as the Committee may adopt. No Participant may be granted
Incentive Stock Options or related SARs (under all Incentive Stock Option plans
of the Company and its Subsidiaries) which are first exercisable in any year
for Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the
date an Option is granted) exceeding $100,000.
ARTICLE V
COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN
5.01. Source of Shares. Upon the award of Restricted Shares and when a
Performance Share is earned, the Company may issue authorized but unissued
shares of Common Stock. Upon the exercise of an Option or SAR, the Company may
deliver to the Participant (or the Participant's broker if the Participant so
directs), authorized but unissued Common Stock.
5.02. Maximum Number of Shares. The maximum aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Options and SARs
and the award of Restricted Shares and the settlement of Performance Shares
under this Plan is 500,000, subject to increases and adjustments as provided in
this Article V and Article IX.
5.03. Replenishment. The maximum number of shares authorized for issuance under
this Plan pursuant to Section 5.02 shall be increased each year by 8% (the
"Replenishment Percentage") of the amount, if any, by which the total number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the last day of the Company's fiscal
year exceeds the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the
first day of such fiscal year. Provided, however, that in no event shall the
total number of shares authorized for issuance under this Plan exceed 8% of the
authorized and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the time of any
replenishment adjustment. The issuance of shares of Common Stock under this
Plan and the application of Article IX shall be disregarded for purposes of
applying the preceding sentence. This Section 5.03 shall first apply with
respect to the fiscal year of the Company beginning on July 1, 1996.
5.04 Forfeitures, etc. If an Option or SAR is terminated, in whole or in part
for any
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reason other than its exercise, the number of shares of Common Stock allocated
to the Option or SAR or portion thereof may be reallocated to other Options,
SARs granted, or Restricted Shares and Performance Share awards to be granted
under this Plan. Any Restricted Shares that are forfeited or Performance Shares
that are unearned may be reallocated to other Options or SARs granted, or
Restricted Shares awarded, under this Plan.
ARTICLE VI
OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
6.01 Nonstatutory Options. The Committee may grant Nonstatutory Options under
this Plan. Such Nonstatutory Stock Options must comply with all applicable
requirements of this Plan except for those which pertain solely to Incentive
Stock Options.
6.02 Incentive Stock Options. The Committee may grant Incentive Stock Options
under this Plan which shall comply with all of the restrictions and limitations
set forth in Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that any Option does not
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall constitute
a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
6.03 Vesting of Options. The Participant's Agreement shall specify the date or
dates on which the Participant may begin to exercise all or a portion of his
Option. Subsequent to such dates or dates, the Option shall be deemed "vested."
Notwithstanding the terms of any Agreement, the Committee at
any time may accelerate such date or dates and otherwise waive or amend any
conditions of the grant.
6.04 Grant and Exercise of SARs. SARs may be granted to Participants by the
Committee independently of any Option granted pursuant to this Article or as a
Corresponding SAR. In the case of a Corresponding SAR granted in tandem with a
Nonstatutory Option, such SAR may be exercised either at or after the time of
the exercise of such Nonstatutory Option. In the case of a Corresponding SAR
granted in tandem with an Incentive Stock Option, such SAR may be exercised
only at the time of the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option.
A Corresponding SAR, shall terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the
termination or exercise of related Option. However, if a Corresponding SAR is
granted with respect to less than the full number of shares covered by a
related Option, such SAR shall terminate only if and to the extent that the
number of shares covered by the exercise or termination of the related Option
exceeds the number of shares not covered by such SAR.
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6.05 Exercise of Options and SARs Conditioned on Continuous Employment. Except
as otherwise provided in this Plan or by the Compensation Committee, no
Participant may exercise an Option or SAR unless at the time of exercise he or
she has been continuously in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary since the
date of grant thereof.
6.06 Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights. SARs shall be subject
to such terms and conditions as shall be determined from time to time by the
Committee and embodied in the Agreements and in procedures established by the
Committee. The Committee at any time may accelerate the
exercisability of any SAR and
otherwise waive or amend any conditions of the grant of a SAR.
6.07. Maximum Option or Stock Appreciation Right Period. The maximum period in
which an Option or SAR may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee on
the date of grant except that no Option that is an Incentive Stock Option and
any Corresponding SAR that relates to such Option shall be exercisable after
the expiration of ten years from the date the Option or SAR was granted. The
terms of any Option or SAR may provide that it is exercisable for a period less
than such maximum period.
6.08 Option Exercise Price. The price per share for Common Stock purchased on
the exercise of an Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value
of the Common Stock on the date the Option is granted.
6.09. Payment of Option Exercise Price. Unless otherwise provided by the
Agreement, payment of the Option exercise price shall be made in cash or a cash
equivalent acceptable to the Committee. If the Agreement so provides, payment
of all or part of the exercise price may be made by surrendering shares of
Common Stock to the Company. If Common Stock is used to pay all or part of the
exercise price, the shares surrendered must have a Fair Market Value
(determined as of the day preceding the Date of Exercise) that is not less than
such price or part thereof.
6.10. Determination of Payment of Cash and/or Common Stock Upon Exercise of SAR.
At the Committee's discretion, the amount payable as a result of the exercise of
a SAR may be settled in cash, Common Stock, or a combination of cash and common
Stock. A Fractional share shall not be deliverable upon the exercise of a SAR
but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof.
6.11 Reload Options. The Committee shall have the authority to specify at the
time of grant that a Participant shall be granted another Option (a "Reload
Option") in the event such Participant exercises all or part of a Nonstatutory
Option (an "Original Option") by surrendering in accordance with Section 6.08
hereof already owned shares of Common Stock in full or partial payment of the
exercise price under such Original Option, subject to the availability of shares
of Common Stock
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under the Plan at the time of exercise. Each Reload Option shall cover a number
of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Common Stock
surrendered in payment of the exercise price, shall have an exercise price per
share of Common Stock equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the
date of grant of such Reload Option and shall expire on the stated expiration
date of the Original Option. A Reload Option shall be exercisable at any time
and from time to time from and after the date of grant of such Reload Option
(or, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine at the time of
grant, at such time or times as shall be specified in the Reload Option);
provided, however, that a Reload Option granted to a Participant subject to the
provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act shall not be exercisable during
the first six months from the date of grant of such Reload Option. The first
such Reload Option may provide for the grant, when exercised, of one subsequent
Reload Option to the extent and upon such terms and conditions, consistent with
this Section 6.11, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall specify at or
after the time of grant of such Reload Option. A Reload Option shall contain
such other terms and conditions which may include a restriction on the
transferability of the number of shares of Common Stock received upon exercise
of the Original Option reduced by a number of shares equal in value to the tax
liability incurred upon exercise as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may
deem desirable which may be set forth in the Agreement evidencing the Reload
Option.
6.12. Nontransferability. Any Option or SAR granted under this Plan shall be
nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In
the event of any such transfer, the Option and any Corresponding SAR that
relates to such Option must be transferred to the same person or persons or
entity or entities. During the lifetime of a Participant to whom an Option or
SAR is granted, the Option or SAR may be exercised only by the Participant. No
right or interest of a Participant in any Option or SAR shall be liable for, or
subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant.
6.13 Cancellation and New Grant of Options. The Committee shall have the
authority to effect, at any time, and from time to time, with the consent of
the affected Participants, the cancellation of any or all outstanding Options
under the Plan and the grant in substitution therefor of new Options under the
Plan covering the same or different numbers of shares of Common Stock having an
Option exercise price per share which may be lower or higher than the exercise
price per share of the canceled Options.
6.14. Shareholder Rights. No Participant shall have any rights as a shareholder
with respect to shares subject to an Option or SAR until the Date of Exercise
of such Option or SAR.
6.15 Retirement of Holder of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights. If there is
a Termination of Employment of a Participant to whom an Option and/or SAR has
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been granted due to Retirement, each Incentive Stock Option held by the retired
Participant, whether or not then vested, may be exercised until the earlier of
(a)the end of the three month period immediately following the date of such
Termination of Employment; or (b)the expiration of the term specified in the
Option or SAR. In the case of a Nonstatutory Option, there shall be substituted
the words, "the end of the twelve month period" for the words "the end of the
three month period" in the immediately preceding sentence.
6.16 Total Disability of Holder of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights. If
there is a Termination of Employment of a Participant to whom an Option and/or
a SAR has been granted by reason of his or her Total Disability, each Option
and/or SAR held by the Participant, whether or not then vested, may be
exercised until the earlier of: (a)the end of the twelve month period
immediately following the date of such Termination of Employment; or (b)the
expiration of the term specified in the Option or SAR.
6.17 Death of Holder of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights. If there is a
Termination of Employment of a Participant to whom an Option or SAR has been
granted by reason of his or her death, or (b)the death of a former employee
within three months following the date of his or her Retirement (or, in the
case of a Non-statutory Option, within twelve months following the date of his
or her Retirement), or (c) the death of a former employee within twelve months
following the date of his or her Termination of Employment by reason of Total
Disability, then each Option and SAR held by the person at the time of his or
her death, whether or not then vested, may be exercised by the person or
persons to whom the Option or SAR shall pass by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution (but by no other persons) until the earlier of (i)the end of
the twelve month period immediately following the date of death (or such longer
period as is permitted by the Committee); and (ii)the expiration of the term
specified in the Option or SAR.
6.18 Termination of Employment for Cause: Voluntary Termination Prior to
Retirement. If there is a Termination of Employment for Cause of a Participant
to whom an Option or SAR has been granted under this Plan, or if a Participant
voluntarily terminates his or her employment prior to Retirement (other than by
reason of Total Disability), then all Options and SARs held by such
Participant, whether or not then vested, shall automatically be canceled at the
time of such Termination of Employment and shall be of no further force or
effect thereafter. This section shall not affect any Common Stock acquired by
the Participant upon exercise of Options or SARs prior to such Termination of
Employment by the Participant.
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ARTICLE VII
RESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS
7.01. Award. In accordance with the provisions of this Article VII, the
Committee will designate each individual to whom an award of Restricted Shares
is to be made and will specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
the award.
7.02. Vesting. The Committee, on the date of the award, may prescribe that a
Participant's rights in the Restricted Shares shall be forfeitable or otherwise
restricted for a period of time set forth in the Agreement. By way of example
and not of limitation, the restrictions may postpone transferability of the
shares or may provide that the shares will be forfeited if the Participant
separates from the service of the Company and its Subsidiaries before the
expiration of a stated term or if the Company and its Subsidiaries or the
Participant fail to achieve stated objectives.
7.03. Shareholder Rights; Escrow. Prior to their forfeiture in accordance with
the terms as the Agreement and while the shares are Restricted Shares, a
Participant will have all rights of a shareholder with respect to Restricted
Shares, including the right to receive dividends and vote the shares; provided,
however, that (a) a Participant may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange,
hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of Restricted Shares, (b)the Company shall
retain custody of the certificates evidencing Restricted Shares and (c) the
Participant will deliver to the Company a stock power, endorsed in blank, with
respect to each award of Restricted Shares. The limitations set forth in the
preceding sentence shall not apply after the shares cease to be Restricted
Shares.
7.04 Restricted Share Agreement. Restricted Share awards shall be evidenced by
an Agreement in the form prescribed by the Committee which shall set forth such
terms, conditions and restrictions as the Committee in its discretion deems
appropriate. Restricted Share awards shall be effective only upon execution of
the applicable Agreement on behalf of the Company by the Chief Executive
Officer (if other than the President), the President or any Vice President, and
by the Participant.
ARTICLE VIII
PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS
8.01 Award. The Committee may award Performance Shares which shall be earned by
a Participant based on the level of performance over a specified period of time
by the Company, a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries, any branch, department or other
portion thereof or the Participant individually, as determined by the
Committee.
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8.02 Procedure for Earning Award. A Participant shall earn awarded Performance
Shares in full by meeting the Performance Target for the Performance Period. If
the Minimum Target has not been attained at the end of the Performance Period,
no part of the Performance Share shall have been earned by the Participant. If
the Minimum Target is attained but the Performance Target is not attained, the
portion of the Performance Share award earned by the Participant shall be
determined on the basis of a formula established by the Committee.
8.03 Adjustments to Awards. At any time prior to the end of a Performance
Period, the Committee may adjust downward (but not upward) the Performance
Target and/or the Minimum Target as a result of major events unforeseen at the
time of the Performance Share award, such as changes in the economy, the
industry, laws affecting the operations of the Company or a Subsidiary or any
other event the Committee determines would have a significant impact upon the
probability of attaining the previously established Performance Target.
8.04 Payment of Awards. Payment of earned Performance Shares shall be made to
Participants following the close of the Performance Period as soon as
practicable after the time the amount payable is determined by the Committee.
Payment in respect of earned Performance Shares, whether expressed in dollars
or shares, may be made in cash, in shares of Common Stock, or partly in cash
and partly in shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Committee at the
time of payment. For this purpose, Performance Shares expressed in dollars
shall be converted to shares, and Performance Shares expressed in shares shall
be converted to dollars, based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as
of the date the amount payable is determined by the Committee.
8.04 Effects of Termination of Employment. If prior to the close of the
Performance Period the employment of a Participant who received an award of
Performance Shares is voluntarily terminated with the consent of the Company or
a Subsidiary or the Participant retires, or if the Participant dies during
employment, the Committee may in its absolute discretion determine to pay all
or any part of the Performance Share award based upon the extent to which the
Committee determines the Performance Target or Minimum Target has been achieved
as of the date of termination of employment, retirement or death, the period of
time remaining until the close of the Performance Period and/or such other
factors as the Committee may deem relevant. If the Committee in its discretion
determines that all or any part of the Performance Share award shall be paid,
payment shall be made to the Participant or his or her estate as promptly as
practicable following such determination and may be made in cash, in shares of
Common Stock, or partly in cash and partly in shares of Common Stock, as
determined by the Committee at the time of the payment. For this purpose,
Performance Shares expressed in dollars shall be converted to shares, and
Performance Shares expressed in shares shall be converted to dollars, based on
the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of the
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date the amount payable is determined by the Committee.
If, prior to the close of a Performance Period, a Termination of
Employment of a Participant who received an award of Performance Shares occurs
for any reason other than voluntary termination with the consent of the Company
or a Subsidiary, Retirement or death, the Performance Shares of the Participant
shall be deemed not to have been earned, and no portion of such Performance
Shares may be paid. Whether Termination of Employment is a voluntary
termination with the consent of the Company or a Subsidiary shall be
determined, in its discretion, by the Committee. Any determination by the
Committee on any matter with respect to Performance Shares shall be final and
binding on both the Company and the awardee.
8.05 Performance Share Agreement. Performance Share awards shall be evidenced
by an Agreement in the form prescribed by the Committee which shall set forth
the amount or manner of determining the amount of the Performance Shares, the
Performance Period, the Performance Target and any Minimum Target and such
other terms and conditions as the Committee in its discretion deems
appropriate. Performance Share awards shall be effective only upon execution of
the applicable Performance Share Agreement on behalf of the Company by the
Chief Executive Officer (if other than the President), the President or any
Vice President, and by the Participant.
ARTICLE IX
ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK
The maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the
exercise of Options and SARs and the award of Restricted Shares and the
settlement of Performance Shares under this Plan and the Replenishment
Percentage in Section 5.03 shall be proportionately adjusted, and the terms of
outstanding Restricted Share awards, Performance Share Awards, Options, and
SARs shall be adjusted, as the Committee shall determine to be equitably
required in the event that (a) the Company (i)effects one or more stock
dividends, stock split-ups, subdivisions or consolidations of shares or (ii)
engages in a transaction to which Code section 424 applies or (b) there occurs
any other event which, in the judgment of the Committee necessitates such
action. Any determination made under this Article IX by the Committee shall be
final and conclusive.
The issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or
securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property,
or for labor or services, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of
rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or
obligations of the Company
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convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not affect, and no
adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, outstanding awards
of Restricted Shares, Performance Shares, Options or SARs.
The Committee may award Restricted Shares and Performance Shares, may
grant Options, and may grant SARs in substitution for stock awards, stock
options, stock appreciation rights, or similar awards held by an individual who
becomes an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary in connection with a
transaction described in the first paragraph of this Article IX.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan (other than the limitations of
Article V), the terms of such substituted Restricted Share and Performance
Share awards and Option or SAR grants shall be as the Committee, in its
discretion, determines is appropriate.
ARTICLE X
COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND APPROVAL OF REGULATORY BODIES
No Option or SAR shall be exercisable, no Common Stock shall be
issued, no certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered, and no
payment shall be made under this Plan except in compliance with all applicable
federal and state laws and regulations (including, without limitation,
withholding tax requirements) and the rules of all domestic stock exchanges on
which shares may be listed. The Company shall have the right to rely on an
opinion of its counsel as to such compliance. Any share certificate issued to
evidence Common Stock for which Restricted Shares are awarded, Performance
Shares were earned or for which an Option or SAR is exercised may bear such
legends and statements as the Committee may deem advisable to assure compliance
with federal and state laws and regulations. No Option or SAR shall be
exercisable, no Common Stock shall be issued, no certificate for shares shall
be delivered, and no payment shall be made under this Plan until the Company
has obtained such consent or approval as the Committee may deem advisable from
regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such matters.
ARTICLE XI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
11.01. Effect on Employment. Neither the adoption of this Plan, its operation,
nor any documents describing or referring to this Plan (or any part thereof)
shall confer upon any employee any right to continue in the employ of the
Company or a Subsidiary or in any way affect any right and power of the Company
or a Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any employee at any time with or
without assigning a reason therefor.
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11.02. Unfunded Plan. The Plan, insofar as it provides for grants and awards,
shall be unfunded, and the Company shall not be required to segregate any
assets that may at any time be represented by grants or awards under this Plan.
Any liability of the Company to any person with respect to any grant under this
Plan shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations that may be created
pursuant to this Plan. No such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be
secured by any pledge of, or other encumbrance on, any property of the Company
or any Subsidiary
11.03. Rules of Construction. Headings are given to the articles and sections
of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. The reference to
any statute, regulation, or other provision of law shall be construed to refer
to any amendment to or successor of such provision of law.
11.04. Employee Status. For purposes of determining the applicability of Code
section 422 (relating to Incentive Stock Options), or in the event that the
terms of any Option or SAR provide that it may be exercised or that awards of
Restricted Shares or Performance Shares may become vested or earned only during
employment or within a specified period of time after Termination of
Employment, the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for
governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability, or other
reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment.
11.05 Tax Withholding. Each Participant shall, no later than the date as of
which the value of a grant of an Option or SAR, or an award of any Restricted
Shares or Performance Shares or other amount received thereunder first becomes
includable in the gross income of the Participant for Federal income tax
purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the
Committee regarding payment of any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind
required by law to be withheld with respect to such income. The Committee may
permit payment of such taxes to be made through the tender of cash or Common
Stock, the withholding of Common Stock or cash to be received through grants or
awards of any other arrangement satisfactory to the Committee. The Company and
its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to
deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the
Participant.
11.06 Indemnification. No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable
for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to
this Plan nor shall any member of the Board or the Committee be liable for any
Agreement issued pursuant to this Plan or any grants or awards made under it.
Each member of the Board and the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company
against any losses incurred in such administration of the Plan, unless his or
her action constitutes serious and willful misconduct.
11.07 Other Compensation Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any
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other existing or future incentive or compensation plans for directors,
officers or employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Moreover, the
adoption of this Plan shall not preclude the Company or its Subsidiaries from:
(a) establishing any other forms for incentive or other compensation for
directors, officers or employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries; or (b)
assuming any forms of incentives or other compensation of any person or entity
in connection with the acquisition or the business or assets, in whole or in
part, of any person or entity.
11.08 Non-Contravention of Securities Laws. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary expressed in this Plan, any provisions hereof that vary from or
conflict with any applicable Federal or State securities laws (including any
regulations promulgated thereunder) shall be deemed to be modified
to conform to and comply with such laws.
11.09 Unenforceability of a Particular Provision. The unenforceability of any
particular provision of this document shall not affect the other provisions,
and the document shall be construed in all respects as if such unenforceable
provision were omitted.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENT
The Board may amend or terminate this Plan from time to time;
provided, however, that no amendment may become effective until shareholder
approval is obtained if (i) the amendment increases the aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan or (ii) the amendment
changes the class of individuals eligible to become Participants. No amendment
shall, without a Participant's consent, adversely affect any rights of such
Participant under any outstanding Restricted Share or Performance Share award
or under any Option or SAR outstanding at the time such amendment is made.
ARTICLE XIII
DURATION OF PLAN
No Restricted Shares or Performance Shares may be awarded and no Option or SAR
may be granted under this Plan after June 30, 2000. Restricted Share and
Performance Share awards and Option and SAR grants made before that date shall
remain valid in accordance with their terms.
Restricted Shares and Performance Shares may be awarded and Options
and SARs may be granted under this Plan upon its adoption by the Board,
provided that
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no Restricted Share or Performance Share award, or Option or SAR grant will be
effective unless this Plan is approved by a majority of the Company's
shareholders voting either in person or by proxy at a duly held shareholders'
meeting within twelve months of such adoption.
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