EXHIBIT 10.3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOUTH JERSEY SAVINGS
AND LOAN ASSOCIATION AND XXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX
Exhibit 10.3
SOUTH JERSEY SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made effective as of February 12, 1999, by
and among South Jersey Savings and Loan Association (the "Association"), a New
Jersey State-chartered savings and loan association, with its principal
administrative office at 0000 Xxxxx 00, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000-0000,
South Jersey Financial Corporation, Inc. a corporation organized under the laws
of the State of Delaware, the holding company for the Association (the "Holding
Company"), and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx ("Executive").
WHEREAS, the Association wishes to assure itself of the services of
Executive for the period provided in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Executive is willing to serve in the employ of the Association on
a full-time basis for said period.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the parties hereby
agree as follows:
1. POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
During the period of his employment hereunder, Executive agrees to serve as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association. Executive shall
render administrative and management services to the Association such as are
customarily performed by persons situated in a similar executive capacity.
During said period, Executive also agrees to serve, if elected, as an officer
and director of the Holding Company or any subsidiary of the Association.
2. TERMS AND DUTIES.
(a) The period of Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be
deemed to have commenced as of the date first above written and shall continue
for a period of thirty-six (36) full calendar months thereafter. Commencing on
the first anniversary date of this Agreement, and continuing on each anniversary
thereafter, the disinterested members of the board of directors of the
Association ("Board") may extend the Agreement an additional year such that the
remaining term of the Agreement shall be three (3) years unless the Executive
elects not to extend the term of this Agreement by giving written notice in
accordance with Section 8 of this Agreement. The Board will review the
Agreement and Executive's performance annually for purposes of determining
whether to extend the Agreement and the rationale and results thereof shall be
included in the minutes of the Board's meeting. The Board shall give notice to
the Executive as soon as possible after such review as to whether the Agreement
is to be extended.
(b) During the period of Executive's employment hereunder, except for
periods of absence occasioned by illness, reasonable vacation periods, and
reasonable leaves of absence, Executive shall devote substantially all his
business time, attention, skill, and efforts to the faithful performance of his
duties hereunder including activities and services related to the organization,
operation and management of the Association and participation in community and
civic organizations; provided, however, that, with the approval of the Board, as
evidenced by a resolution of such Board, from time to time, Executive may serve,
or continue to serve, on the boards of directors of, and hold any other offices
or positions in, companies or organizations, which, in such Board's judgment,
will not present any conflict of interest with the Association, or materially
affect the performance of Executive's duties pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Executive's employment
with the Association may be terminated by the Association's board of directors
or the Executive during the term of this Agreement, subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
3. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.
(a) The Association shall pay Executive as compensation a salary of
$170,435 per year ("Base Salary"). Base Salary shall include any amounts of
compensation deferred by Executive under any tax-qualified retirement or welfare
benefit plan or any other deferred compensation arrangement maintained by the
Association. Such Base Salary shall be payable bi-weekly. During the period of
this Agreement, Executive's Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually; the
first such review will be made no later than one year from the date of this
Agreement. Such review shall be conducted by the Board or by a Committee of the
Board, delegated such responsibility by the Board. The Committee or the Board
may increase Executive's Base Salary. Any increase in Base Salary shall become
the "Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement. In addition to the Base
Salary provided in this Section 3(a), the Association shall also provide
Executive, at no premium cost to Executive, with all such other benefits as are
provided uniformly to permanent full-time employees of the Association. In
addition, Executive shall be entitled to incentive compensation and bonuses as
provided in any plan or arrangement of the Association in which Executive is
eligible to participate.
(b) The Executive shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit
plans, arrangements and perquisites substantially equivalent to those in which
Executive was participating or otherwise deriving benefit from immediately prior
to the beginning of the term of this Agreement, and the Association will not,
without Executive's prior written consent, make any changes in such plans,
arrangements or perquisites which would materially adversely affect Executive's
rights or benefits thereunder; except to the extent such changes are made
applicable to all Association employees on a non-discriminatory basis. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Subsection (b),
Executive shall be entitled to participate in or receive benefits under all
plans relating to stock options, restricted stock awards, stock purchases,
pension, thrift, supplemental retirement, profit-sharing, employee stock
ownership, group life insurance, medical and other health and welfare coverage,
education, cash or stock bonuses that are now or hereafter made available by the
Association in the future to its senior executives and
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key management employees, subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms,
conditions and overall administration of such plans and arrangements. Nothing
paid to the Executive under any such plan or arrangement will be deemed to be in
lieu of other compensation to which the Executive is entitled under this
Agreement.
(c) The Association shall pay or reimburse Executive for all reasonable
travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by Executive performing his
obligations under this Agreement and may provide such additional compensation in
such form and such amounts as the Board may from time to time determine.
4. PAYMENTS TO EXECUTIVE UPON AN EVENT OF TERMINATION.
(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination (as herein defined)
during the Executive's term of employment under this Agreement, the provisions
of this Section shall apply. As used in this Agreement, an "Event of
Termination" shall mean and include any one or more of the following: (i) the
termination by the Association of Executive's full-time employment hereunder for
any reason other than a termination governed by Section 5(a) hereof, or
Termination for Cause, as defined in Section 7 hereof; (ii) Executive's
resignation from the Association's employ upon any (A) failure to elect or
reelect or to appoint or reappoint Executive as President and Chief Executive
Officer unless consented to by the Executive, (B) a material change in
Executive's function, duties, or responsibilities, which change would cause
Executive's position to become one of lesser responsibility, importance, or
scope from the position and attributes thereof described in Section 1, above,
unless consented to by Executive, (C) a relocation of Executive's principal
place of employment by more than 25 miles from its location at the effective
date of this Agreement, unless consented to by the Executive, (D) a material
reduction in the benefits and perquisites to the Executive from those being
provided as of the effective date of this Agreement, unless consented to by the
Executive, (E) a liquidation or dissolution of the Association or Holding
Company, or (F) breach of this Agreement by the Association. Upon the
occurrence of any event described in clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) or (F),
above, Executive shall have the right to elect to terminate his employment under
this Agreement by resignation upon not less than sixty (60) days prior written
notice given within six full months after the event giving rise to said right to
elect.
(b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, on the Date of
Termination, as defined in Section 8, the Association shall be obligated to pay
Executive, or, in the event of his subsequent death, his beneficiary or
beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be a sum equal to the sum of:
(i) the Base Salary and bonuses in accordance with Section 3(a) of this
Agreement that would have been paid to Executive for the remaining term of this
Agreement had the Event of Termination not occurred; and (ii) all benefits,
including health insurance in accordance with Section 3(b) that would have been
provided to Executive for the remaining term of the this Agreement had an Event
of Termination not occurred; provided, however, that any payments pursuant to
this subsection and subsection 4(c) below shall not, in the aggregate, exceed
three times Executive's average annual compensation for the five most recent
taxable years that Executive has been employed by the Association or such lesser
number of years in the event that
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Executive shall have been employed by the Association for less than five years.
In the event the Association is not in compliance with its minimum capital
requirements or if such payments pursuant to this subsection (b) would cause the
Association's capital to be reduced below its minimum regulatory capital
requirements, such payments shall be deferred until such time as the Association
or successor thereto is in capital compliance. At the election of the Executive,
which election is to be made prior to an Event of Termination, such payments
shall be made in a lump sum as of the Executive's Date of Termination. In the
event that no election is made, payment to Executive will be made on a monthly
basis in approximately equal installments during the remaining term of the
Agreement. Such payments shall not be reduced in the event the Executive obtains
other employment following termination of employment.
(c) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, the Association will
cause to be continued life, medical, dental and disability coverage
substantially identical to the coverage maintained by the Association or the
Holding Company for Executive prior to his termination at no premium cost to the
Executive, except to the extent such coverage may be changed in its application
to all Association or Holding Company employees. Such coverage shall cease upon
the expiration of the remaining term of this Agreement.
5. CHANGE IN CONTROL.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" of the
Association or Holding Company shall mean an event of a nature that: (i) would
be required to be reported in response to Item 1 of the current report on Form
8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"); or (ii)
results in a Change in Control of the Association or the Holding Company within
the meaning of the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933, as amended, the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act and the Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Office of
Thrift Supervision ("OTS") (or its predecessor agency), as in effect on the date
hereof (provided, that in applying the definition of change in control as set
forth under the rules and regulations of the OTS, the Board shall substitute its
judgment for that of the OTS); or (iii) without limitation such a Change in
Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (A) any "person" (as
the 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 voting securities of the Association or the Holding
Company representing 25% or more of the Association's or the Holding Company's
outstanding voting securities or right to acquire such securities except for any
voting securities of the Association purchased by the Holding Company and any
voting securities purchased by any employee benefit plan of the Association or
the Holding Company, or (B) individuals who constitute the Board on the date
hereof (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the
date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of
the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for election
by the Holding Company's stockholders was approved by the same Nominating
Committee serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be, for purposes of this
clause (B), considered as though he were a member of the Incumbent Board, or (C)
a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of
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all or substantially all the assets of the Association or the Holding Company or
similar transaction occurs in which the Association or Holding Company is not
the resulting entity; provided, however, that such an event listed above will be
deemed to have occurred or to have been effectuated upon the receipt of all
required regulatory approvals not including the lapse of any statutory waiting
periods.
(b) If a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to Section 5(a) or the
Board has determined that a Change in Control has occurred, Executive shall be
entitled to the benefits provided in paragraphs (c), and (d) of this Section 5
upon his subsequent termination of employment at any time during the term of
this Agreement due to: (1) Executive's dismissal or (2) Executive's voluntary
resignation following any demotion, loss of title, office or significant
authority or responsibility, material reduction in annual compensation or
benefits or relocation of his principal place of employment by more than 25
miles from its location immediately prior to the Change in Control, unless such
termination is because of his death, disability, retirement or termination for
Cause.
(c) Upon Executive's entitlement to benefits pursuant to Section 5(b), the
Association shall pay Executive, or in the event of his subsequent death, his
beneficiary or beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be, a sum equal to
the greater of: (1) the Base Salary and bonuses in accordance with Section 3(a)
of this Agreement that would have been paid to Executive for the remaining term
of this Agreement had the event described in Subsection (b) of this Section 5
not occurred; or 2) three (3) times Executive's Average Annual Compensation (as
defined herein) for the five (5) most recent taxable years that Executive has
been employed by the Association or such lesser number of years in the event
that Executive shall have been employed by the Association for less than five
(5) years. Such "Average Annual Compensation" shall include all taxable income
paid by the Association, including but not limited to, Base Salary, commissions,
and bonuses, as well as contributions on Executive's behalf to any pension
and/or profit sharing plan, retirement payments, directors or committee fees and
fringe benefits paid or to be paid to the Executive in any such year and payment
of any expense items without accountability or business purpose or that do not
meet the Internal Revenue Service requirements for deductibility by the
Association; provided, however, that any payment under this provision and
subsection 5(d) below shall not exceed three (3) times the Executive's average
annual compensation. In the event the Association is not in compliance with its
minimum capital requirements or if such payments would cause the Association's
capital to be reduced below its minimum regulatory capital requirements, such
payments shall be deferred until such time as the Association or successor
thereto is in capital compliance. At the election of the Executive, which
election is to be made prior to a Change in Control, such payment shall be made
in a lump sum as of the Executive's Date of Termination. In the event that no
election is made, payment to the Executive will be made in approximately equal
installments on a monthly basis over a period of thirty-six (36) months
following the Executive's termination. Such payments shall not be reduced in
the event Executive obtains other employment following termination of
employment.
(d) Upon the Executive's entitlement to benefits pursuant to Section 5(b),
the Association will cause to be continued life, medical, dental and disability
coverage substantially
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identical to the coverage maintained by the Association for Executive prior to
his severance at no premium cost to the Executive, except to the extent that
such coverage may be changed in its application for all Association employees on
a non-discriminatory basis. Such coverage and payments shall cease upon the
expiration of thirty-six (36) months following the Date of Termination.
6. CHANGE OF CONTROL RELATED PROVISIONS
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5, in no event shall the
aggregate payments or benefits to be made or afforded to Executive under said
paragraphs (the "Termination Benefits") constitute an "excess parachute payment"
under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any
successor thereto, and in order to avoid such a result, Termination Benefits
will be reduced, if necessary, to an amount (the "Non-Triggering Amount"), the
value of which is one dollar ($1.00) less than an amount equal to three (3)
times Executive's "base amount," as determined in accordance with said Section
280G. The allocation of the reduction required hereby among the Termination
Benefits provided by Section 5 shall be determined by Executive.
7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.
The term "Termination for Cause" shall mean termination because of
Executive's personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, any 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) or final cease-and-desist order or material
breach of any provision of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Executive shall not be deemed to have been Terminated for Cause unless and until
there shall have been delivered to him a Notice of Termination which shall
include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less
than a majority of the members of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and
held for that purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity
for him, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that in
the good faith opinion of the Board, Executive was guilty of conduct justifying
Termination for Cause and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for
any period after the Date of Termination for Cause. During the period beginning
on the date of the Notice of Termination for Cause pursuant to Section 8 hereof
through the Date of Termination for Cause, stock options granted to Executive
under any stock option plan shall not be exercisable nor shall any unvested
stock awards granted to Executive under any stock benefit plan of the
Association, the Holding Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, vest.
At the Date of Termination for Cause, such stock options and any unvested stock
awards shall become null and void and shall not be exercisable by or delivered
to Executive at any time subsequent to such Termination for Cause.
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8. NOTICE.
(a) Any purported termination by the Association or by Executive shall be
communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes
of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written notice which
shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon
and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the provision so
indicated.
(b) "Date of Termination" shall mean the date specified in the Notice of
Termination (which, in the case of a Termination for Cause, shall not be less
than thirty days from the date such Notice of Termination is given).
(c) 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 Date of Termination shall be the
date on which the dispute is finally determined, either by mutual written
agreement of the parties, by a binding arbitration award, or by a final
judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the time for
appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected) and,
provided further, that the Date of Termination shall be extended by a notice of
dispute only if such notice is given in good faith and the party giving such
notice pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence.
Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, in the event the Executive is
terminated for reasons other than Termination for Cause, the Association will
continue to pay Executive his Base Salary in effect when the notice giving rise
to the dispute was given until the earlier of: 1) the resolution of the dispute
in accordance with this Agreement or 2) the expiration of the remaining term of
this Agreement as determined as of the Date of Termination. Amounts paid under
this Section are in addition to all other amounts due under this Agreement and
shall not be offset against or reduce any other amounts due under this
Agreement.
9. POST-TERMINATION OBLIGATIONS.
All payments and benefits to Executive under this Agreement shall be
subject to Executive's compliance with this Section 9 for one (1) full year
after the earlier of the expiration of this Agreement or termination of
Executive's employment with the Association. Executive shall, upon reasonable
notice, furnish such information and assistance to the Association as may
reasonably be required by the Association in connection with any litigation in
which it or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is, or may become, a party.
10. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-DISCLOSURE OF ASSOCIATION BUSINESS.
(a) Upon any termination of Executive's employment hereunder pursuant to
Section 4 hereof, Executive agrees not to compete with the Association for a
period of one (1) year following such termination in any city, town or county in
which the Executive's normal business office is located and the Association has
an office or has filed an application for regulatory
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approval to establish an office, determined as of the effective date of such
termination, except as agreed to pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the
Board. Executive agrees that during such period and within said cities, towns
and counties, Executive shall not work for or advise, consult or otherwise serve
with, directly or indirectly, any entity whose business materially competes with
the depository, lending or other business activities of the Association. The
parties hereto, recognizing that irreparable injury will result to the
Association, its business and property in the event of Executive's breach of
this Subsection 10(a) agree that in the event of any such breach by Executive,
the Association, will be entitled, in addition to any other remedies and damages
available, to an injunction to restrain the violation hereof by Executive,
Executive's partners, agents, servants, employees and all persons acting for or
under the direction of Executive. Nothing herein will be construed as
prohibiting the Association from pursuing any other remedies available to the
Association for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of
damages from Executive.
(b) Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the knowledge of the
business activities and plans for business activities of the Association and
affiliates thereof, as it may exist from time to time, is a valuable, special
and unique asset of the business of the Association. Executive will not, during
or after the term of his employment, disclose any knowledge of the past,
present, planned or considered business activities of the Association or
affiliates thereof to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity for any
reason or purpose whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may
disclose any knowledge of banking, financial and/or economic principles,
concepts or ideas which are not solely and exclusively derived from the business
plans and activities of the Association. Further, Executive may disclose
information regarding the business activities of the Association to the OTS and
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") pursuant to a formal
regulatory request. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Executive
of the provisions of this Section, the Association will be entitled to an
injunction restraining Executive from disclosing, in whole or in part, the
knowledge of the past, present, planned or considered business activities of the
Association or affiliates thereof, or from rendering any services to any person,
firm, corporation, other entity to whom such knowledge, in whole or in part, has
been disclosed or is threatened to be disclosed. Nothing herein will be
construed as prohibiting the Association from pursuing any other remedies
available to the Association for such breach or threatened breach, including the
recovery of damages from Executive.
11. SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.
(a) All payments provided in this Agreement shall be timely paid in cash or
check from the general funds of the Association. The Holding Company, however,
unconditionally guarantees payment and provision of all amounts and benefits due
hereunder to Executive and, if such amounts and benefits due from the
Association are not timely paid or provided by the Association, such amounts and
benefits shall be paid or provided by the Holding Company.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, to the extent
that payments and benefits, as provided by this Agreement, are paid to or
received by Executive under the
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Employment Agreement dated February 12, 1999, between Executive and the Holding
Company, such compensation payments and benefits paid by the Holding Company
will be subtracted from any amounts due simultaneously to Executive under
similar provisions of this Agreement. Payments pursuant to this Agreement and
the Holding Company Agreement shall be allocated in proportion to the services
rendered and time expended on such activities by Executive as determined by the
Holding Company and the Association on a quarterly basis.
12. EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND EXISTING BENEFITS PLANS.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto
and supersedes any prior employment agreement between the Association or any
predecessor of the Association and Executive, except that this Agreement shall
not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation inuring to Executive
of a kind elsewhere provided. No provision of this Agreement shall be
interpreted to mean that Executive is subject to receiving fewer benefits than
those available to him without reference to this Agreement.
13. NO ATTACHMENT.
(a) Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this
Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale,
assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution,
attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any
attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to affect any such action shall be null,
void, and of no effect.
(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of,
Executive and the Association and their respective successors and assigns.
14. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER.
(a) This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument
in writing signed by the parties hereto.
(b) No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been
waived, nor shall there be any estoppel against the enforcement of any provision
of this Agreement, except by written instrument of the party charged with such
waiver or estoppel. No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver
unless specifically stated therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as
to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of
such term or condition for the future as to any act other than that specifically
waived.
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15. REQUIRED PROVISIONS.
(a) The Association's board of directors may terminate Executive's
employment at any time, but any termination by the Association's board of
directors, other than Termination for Cause, shall not prejudice Executive's
right to compensation or other benefits under this Agreement. Executive shall
not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period
after Termination for Cause as defined in Section 7 hereinabove.
(b) If Executive is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Association's affairs by a notice served
under Section 8(e)(3) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C.
(S)1818(e)(3) or (g)(1); the Association's obligations under this contract shall
be suspended as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate
proceedings. If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Association may in
its discretion: (i) pay Executive all or part of the compensation withheld
while it's contract obligations were suspended; and (ii) reinstate (in whole or
in part) any of its obligations which were suspended.
(c) If Executive is removed and/or permanently prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Association's affairs by an order issued
under Section 8(e)(4) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C.
(S)1818(e)(4) or (g)(1), all obligations of the Association under this contract
shall terminate as of the effective date of the order, but vested rights of the
contracting parties shall not be affected.
(d) If the Association is in default as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. (S)1813(x)(1) all obligations under
this contract shall terminate as of the date of default, but this paragraph
shall not affect any vested rights of the contracting parties.
(e) All obligations under this contract shall be terminated, except to the
extent determined that continuation of the contract is necessary for the
continued operation of the Association: (i) by the Director or his or her
designee, at the time the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation enters into an
agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Association under the
authority contained in Section 13(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act; or
(ii) by the Director or his or her designee at the time the Director or his or
her designee approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to the
operation of the Association or when the Association is determined by the
Director to be in an unsafe or unsound condition. Any rights of the parties
that have already vested, however, shall not be affected by such action.
(f) Any payments made to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or
otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. Section
1828(k), 12 C.F.R. Part 359 and 12 C.F.R. Section 545.121 and any rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
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16. REINSTATEMENT OF BENEFITS UNDER SECTION 15(b).
In the event Executive is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Association's affairs by a notice described
in Section 15(b) hereof (the "Notice") during the term of this Agreement and a
Change in Control, as defined herein, occurs, the Association will assume its
obligation to pay and Executive will be entitled to receive all of the
termination benefits provided for under Section 5 of this Agreement upon the
Association's receipt of a dismissal of charges in the Notice.
17. SEVERABILITY.
If, for any reason, any provision of this Agreement, or any part of any
provision, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision
of this Agreement or any part of such provision not held so invalid, and each
such other provision and part thereof shall to the full extent consistent with
law continue in full force and effect.
18. HEADINGS FOR REFERENCE ONLY.
The headings of sections and paragraphs herein are included solely for
convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of
any of the provisions of this Agreement.
19. GOVERNING LAW.
The validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey without regards to
principles of conflicts of law of this state, but only to the extent not
superseded by federal law.
20. ARBITRATION.
Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this
Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel
of three arbitrators sitting in a location selected by Executive within fifty
(50) miles from the location of the Association, in accordance with the rules of
the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on
the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction; provided, however, that
Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of his right to be paid
until the Date of Termination during the pendency of any dispute or controversy
arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
In the event any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with
Executive's termination is resolved in favor of Executive, whether by judgment,
arbitration or settlement, Executive shall be entitled to the payment of all
back-pay, including salary, bonuses and any other cash compensation, fringe
benefits and any compensation and benefits due Executive under this Agreement.
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21. PAYMENT OF COSTS AND LEGAL FEES.
All reasonable costs and legal fees paid or incurred by Executive pursuant
to any dispute or question of interpretation relating to this Agreement shall be
paid or reimbursed by the Association if Executive is successful on the merits
pursuant to a legal judgment, arbitration or settlement.
22. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) The Association shall provide Executive (including his heirs, executors
and administrators) with coverage under a standard directors' and officers'
liability insurance policy at its expense and shall indemnify Executive (and his
heirs, executors and administrators) as permitted under federal law against all
expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by him in connection with or
arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which he may be involved by
reason of his having been a director or officer of the Association (whether or
not he continues to be a director or officer at the time of incurring such
expenses or liabilities), such expenses and liabilities to include, but not be
limited to, judgments, court costs and attorneys' fees and the cost of
reasonable settlements.
(b) Any payments made to Executive pursuant to this Section are subject to
and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k), 12 C.F.R. Part
359 and 12 C.F.R. Section 545.121 and any rules or regulations promulgated
thereunder.
23. SUCCESSOR TO THE ASSOCIATION.
The Association shall require any successor or assignee, whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or
substantially all the business or assets of the Association or the Holding
Company, expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the
Association's obligations under this Agreement, in the same manner and to the
same extent that the Association would be required to perform if no such
succession or assignment had taken place.
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SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, South Jersey Savings and Loan Association and South
Jersey Financial Corporation have caused this Agreement to be executed and their
seals to be affixed hereunto by their duly authorized officers and directors,
and Executive has signed this Agreement, on the 29th day of March, 1999.
ATTEST: SOUTH JERSEY SAVINGS AND LOAN
ASSOCIATION
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx
-------------------------- -------------------------------------
For the Entire Board of Directors
[SEAL]
ATTEST: SOUTH JERSEY FINANCIAL CORPORATION,
INC.
(Guarantor)
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx
-------------------------- -------------------------------------
For the Entire Board of Directors
[SEAL]
WITNESS: EXECUTIVE
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
-------------------------- -------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
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