EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
THIS AGREEMENT, made as of February 5, 2024 (“Effective Date”), is by and between BM TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a Delaware corporation, with its main office located at 000 Xxxx xx Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx, XX 00000 (“Company”) and Xxxx Xxxxx (“Executive”).
Background
A. Company wishes to secure the services of Executive as the Company’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer and effective April 1, 2024 as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
B. Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter, Executive is willing to enter into this Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) upon the terms and conditions set forth.
C. The Company will also issue up to 300,000 restricted stock units, comprised of time based and performance based restricted stock units, as a material inducement for Executive to begin employment (the “Equity Inducement Award”).
D. The Company’s Board of Directors has approved this Agreement and the Equity Inducement Award.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. Employment. Company agrees to employ Executive initially as its Deputy Chief Financial Officer and as of April 1, 2024, as its Chief Financial Officer during the “Term” defined in Section 2 of this Agreement. Executive shall report to and be subject to the direction of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Executive shall have the powers and authority ordinarily given to the position described above as provided under the Bylaws of the Company. Executive will have such duties as normally apply to such position. Executive shall devote all of his working time, abilities and attention to the business of the Company, and xxxx fulfill all of the duties required of him as Chief Financial Officer. The services of Executive shall be rendered principally in New Jersey but Executive shall undertake such traveling on behalf of Company as may be reasonably required.
2. Term of Employment. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the initial term of employment hereunder shall be for the one (1)-year period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the day preceding the one (1)-year anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”). As of each one (1)-year anniversary of the Effective Date, the term of employment hereunder shall be extended for another one (1) year (each a “Renewal Term”) automatically, unless either party delivers written notice to the contrary to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to such one (1)-year anniversary, in which case the term of employment hereunder shall expire as of the date to which it was last extended pursuant to this sentence. Such notice shall be delivered in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 12. The Initial Term and each Renewal Term are collectively the “Term.”
3. Compensation. In consideration of the services to be rendered by Executive, Company shall pay to Executive during the Term:
(a) A base salary of not less than Two Hundred Seventy Five Thousand dollars ($275,000) per annum for each year of the Term, payable in equal installments over such payroll cycles as the Company pays its executive officers generally, with any salary for initial or final partial months or other payroll periods being prorated based on the number of calendar days in question. It is understood that the Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall review Executive’s performance and make a determination regarding increases in his salary at least once in every calendar year during the Term.
(b) Incentive Compensation in an amount up to eighty percent (80%) of Executive’s annual base salary, in such form, and at such time as is provided in such executive incentive plan for Executive, either alone or for Executive and other officers and management employees of the Company, as shall be approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and in effect from time to time. Such incentive compensation shall be divided into two components, with ninety percent (90%) based on Company performance and ten percent (10%) based on individual performance, and may take the form of cash payments (“Cash Bonus”), transfers of stock, stock appreciation awards, restricted stock units or stock options (collectively, “Equity Awards”). Incentive compensation for the Company’s 2024 fiscal year shall be subject to pro-ration based on Executive’s date of hire. Cash Bonuses and Equity Awards shall be subject to such restrictions, vesting and other conditions and limitations as set forth in such executive incentive plan and any award agreement.
4. Reimbursement of Expenses.
4.1 Reimbursement of Expenses. During the Term, Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties, as well as those incurred in furtherance of or in connection with the business of Company, including but not limited to traveling, entertainment, dining and other expenses. All reimbursements provided under this Agreement that are “nonqualified deferred compensation” that is subject to Section 409A shall be made or provided in accordance with Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirements that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Term (or during such other time period specified in this Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the taxable year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
5. Termination of Employment.
5.1 Termination by Company; “Cause.” Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder at any time, with or without “Cause” (as defined below). In the event of any termination by Company, Company shall give Executive forty-five (45) days prior notice of any termination without Cause, but shall not be obligated to give Executive prior notice of a termination with Cause. Company shall nevertheless be obligated to pay Executive such compensation and severance, if any, as may be provided for in this Agreement under the applicable circumstances. Company will give Executive notice of termination of his employment pursuant to a “Notice of Termination” (as defined below).
5.2 No Right to Compensation or Benefits Except as Stated. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, Executive shall have no right to severance compensation of any kind, or any right to salary or other benefits for any period after such date of termination. If Executive is terminated by Company other than for Cause, Executive’s rights to compensation and benefits under this Agreement shall be as set forth in Section 5.5.
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5.3 Termination by Executive. Executive shall have the right to terminate his employment, whether or not for “Good Reason” (as hereinafter defined), but, in all events, Executive shall give Company notice pursuant to a written “Notice of Termination” (as defined below). If the termination by Executive is other than for Good Reason: (i) Executive must give Company a Notice of Termination not less than forty- five (45) days prior to the date his termination of employment will be effective, and (ii) Executive shall have no right to severance compensation of any kind, or any right to salary or other benefits for any period after such date of termination. If termination is by Executive for Good Reason, Executive’s rights to compensation and benefits under this Agreement shall be as set forth in Section 5.5.
5.4 Certain Definitions.
(a) In connection with a termination of Executive’s employment by the Company, “Cause” shall mean any one or more of the following reasons: (l) the willful material failure by the Executive to perform the duties required of him hereunder (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness of the Executive or material changes in the direction and policies of the Board of Directors of Company), if such failure continues for fifteen (15) days after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which it is believed that the Executive has failed to attempt to perform his duties hereunder; (2) the willful engaging by the Executive in willful misconduct materially injurious to the Company; (3) receipt by the Company of a notice (which shall not have been appealed by Executive or shall have become final and non- appealable) of any governmental body or entity having jurisdiction over the Company requiring termination or removal of the Executive from his then present position, or receipt of a written directive or order of any governmental body or entity having jurisdiction over the Company (which shall not have been appealed by Executive or shall have become final and non-appealable) requiring termination or removal of the Executive from his then present position; (4) personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, willful breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit or conviction of a felony; or (5) material breach of any provision set forth in Sections 6, 7, 8 or 9, to the extent applicable. For purposes of this section, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s part shall be considered ‘‘willful’’ unless done or omitted to be done by Executive in bad faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of Company. Any act or omission to act by the Executive in reliance upon a written opinion of counsel to Company shall not be deemed to be willful.
(b) Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean (1) a material breach by Company of the provisions of this Agreement, which failure has not been cured within 30 days after a written notice of such noncompliance has been given by Executive to Company; (2) any purported termination of Executive’s employment which is not effected in compliance with the requirements of this Agreement; (3) any reduction in title or a material adverse change in Executive’s responsibilities or authority which are inconsistent with, or the assignment to Executive of duties inconsistent with, Executive’s status as Deputy Chief Financial Officer or Chief Financial Officer of Company; or (4) any reduction in Executive’s annual base salary as in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to time.
(c) Notice of Termination. Any termination of Executive’s employment by Company or by Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a dated notice which shall (1) indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon; (2) 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; and (3) be given in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 12.
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5.5 Compensation Upon Certain Types of Termination. If Executive shall terminate his employment for Good Reason during the Term, or if Executive’s Employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause during the Term, then in lieu of any salary or damages payments to Executive for periods subsequent to the date of termination, Company shall pay as “Severance Compensation” to Executive, in lieu of all other damages, compensation and benefits other than any benefits the right to which shall have previously vested, an amount (the “Severance Compensation”) equal to the following, depending upon whether a “Change in Control” (as defined below) shall have occurred at the time of termination of employment:
(a) If a Change in Control shall not have occurred within twelve (12) months prior to the date of termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, the Company shall pay Executive the following Severance Compensation, payable at the respective times and on the respective conditions set forth in this subsection for each type of Severance Compensation:
(i) Cash Severance Compensation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to receive a dollar amount equal to the sum of Executive’s then current base salary plus the average of the annual performance bonus (consisting of both cash and other incentive compensation, but excluding the Company match of any deferred compensation) provided to him with respect to the three (3) fiscal years of the Company immediately preceding the fiscal year of termination, for the greater of one (1) year or the period of time remaining in the Term. This element of Severance Compensation shall be payable in equal installments on the normal pay dates following Executive’s separation from service with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (such Section and regulations are sometimes referred to in this Agreement as “Section 409A”), beginning within sixty (60) days following the separation from service. For purposes of Section 409(a), each payment made under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment, and the executive may not, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment. If, as of the date of the Executive’s separation from service, stock of the Company or a holding company or other parent entity with respect to the Company is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise, and if necessary to comply with Section 409A, payments otherwise due during the six (6)-month period following his separation from service shall be suspended and paid in a lump sum upon completion of such six (6)-month period, at which time the balance of the payments shall commence in installments as described in the preceding sentence. Payments shall be subject to deduction for such tax withholdings as Company may be obligated to make;
(ii) Equity Awards. All Equity Awards (including the Equity Inducement Award) shall be vested in full;
(iii) Cash Bonus. Executive shall be entitled to a fraction of any Cash Bonus for the fiscal year of the Company within which Executive’s termination of employment occurs which, based upon the criteria established for such Cash Bonus, would have been payable to Executive had he remained employed through the date of payment, the numerator of which is the number of days of such fiscal year prior to his termination of employment and the denominator of which is three hundred and sixty-five (365); and
(iv) Insurance. Company shall continue to provide health insurance (including dental if applicable) and any life insurance benefits for the shorter of (i) the length of the severance measurement period set forth in Section 5.5(a)(i) above, or (ii) the maximum period the Company is then permitted to extend each individual benefit under the applicable plan or policy or applicable law.
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(b) If a Change in Control shall have occurred within twelve (12) months prior to the date of termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, the Company shall pay Executive Severance Compensation equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the sum of Executive’s then current base salary plus the average of the annual performance bonus (consisting of both cash and other incentive compensation, but excluding the Company match of any deferred compensation) provided to him with respect to the three (3) fiscal years of the Company immediately preceding the fiscal year of termination. The Severance Compensation shall be payable in a single lump sum within sixty (60) days following Executive’s separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A. If, as of the date of the Executive’s separation from service, stock of the Company or a holding company or other parent entity with respect to the Company is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise, and if necessary to comply with Section 409A, payment of the lump sum shall be suspended and paid within the thirty (30)-day period following the close of the six (6)-month period following his separation from service. Payments shall be subject to deduction for such tax withholdings as Company may be obligated to make. In addition to the aforesaid Executive Severance Compensation, additional Executive Severance Compensation shall be provided as set forth below.
(i) Equity Awards. All of the Executive’s Equity Awards (including the Equity Inducement Award) shall be vested in full;
(ii) Cash Bonus. Executive shall be entitled to a fraction of any Cash Bonus for the fiscal year of the Company within which Executive’s termination of employment occurs which, based upon the criteria established for such Cash Bonus, would have been payable to Executive had he remained employed through the date of payment, the numerator of which is the number of days of such fiscal year prior to his termination of employment and the denominator of which is three hundred and sixty-five (365);
(iii) Insurance. Company shall continue to provide health insurance (including dental if applicable) and any life insurance benefits for the shorter of (i) the length of the severance measurement period set forth in above in this Section 5.5(b), or (ii) the maximum period the Company is then permitted to extend each individual benefit under the applicable plan or policy or applicable law; and
(iv) Golden Parachute Limitation. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if, as a result of a payment provided for under or pursuant to this Agreement, together with all other payments in the nature of compensation provided to or for the benefit of the Executive under any other plans or agreements in connection with a Change in Control, the Executive becomes subject to excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code, then the amount of severance to be paid pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced to the maximum amount allowable without causing Executive to become subject to such excise taxes. Such maximum amount shall be determined by a PCAOB Registered Public Accounting Firm selected by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination, absent manifest error, shall be treated as conclusive and binding.
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(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:
(i) There occurs a merger, consolidation, or other business combination or reorganization to which the Company is a party, whether or not approved in advance by the Board of Directors of the Company, in which (A) the members of the Board of Directors of the Company immediately preceding the consummation of such transaction do not constitute a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the resulting corporation and of any parent corporation thereof immediately after the consummation of such transaction, and (B) the shareholders of the Company immediately before such transaction do not hold more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of securities of the resulting corporation;
(ii) There occurs a sale, exchange, transfer, or other disposition of substantially all the assets of the Company to another entity, whether or not approved in advance by the Board of Directors of the Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, would constitute a Change in Control, but for purposes of this section, no assets will be deemed to have been sold if they are leased back contemporaneously with or promptly after their sale);
(iii) A plan of liquidation or dissolution is adopted for the Company; or
(iv) Any individual, firm, corporation, partnership or other entity (“Person”) (except Company, any subsidiary of Company, any employee benefit plan of Company, any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by Company or any subsidiary of Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee benefit plan), together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person is or shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities. For purposes of this subsection, “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations issued under the Exchange Act.
(d) In the event that a Change in Control, or a qualifying termination or resignation for Good Reason occurs within the first twelve (12) months of Executive’s employment with the Company, only fifty percent (“50%”) of the Executive’s Equity Awards will be vested in full.
(e) In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated during the Term as a result of his death or disability, he (or his estate, as the case may be) shall not be entitled to any payments or other benefits pursuant to this Section 5.5 or otherwise.
5.6 Release. The Company’s obligation to pay Severance Compensation under Section 5.5 hereof is expressly conditioned upon Executive’s execution of and delivery to the Company (and non-revocation) of a release (as drafted at the time of Executive’s termination of employment, and which will include, but not be limited to: (a) an unconditional release of all rights to any claims, charges, complaints, grievances, known or unknown to Executive, against the Company, its affiliates or assigns, or any of their officers, directors, employees and agents, through to the date of Executive’s termination from employment, and (b) a representation and warranty that Executive has not filed or assigned any claims, charges, complaints, or grievances against the Company, its affiliates or assigns, or any of their officers, directors, employees and agents.
5.7 Mitigation by Executive. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in Section 5.5 by seeking other employment or otherwise.
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6. Non-Disclosure. The Executive covenants and agrees that Executive will not at any time, either during the Term or thereafter, use, disclose or make accessible to any other person, firm, partnership, corporation or any other entity any Confidential and Proprietary Information (as defined herein), other than to (a) Executive’s attorney or spouse in confidence, (b) while employed by the Company, in the business and for the benefit of the Company, or (c) when required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, any government agency having supervisory authority over the business of the Executive or the Company or any administrative body or legislative body, including a committee thereof, with jurisdiction.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential and Proprietary Information” shall mean non-public, confidential, and proprietary information provided to the Executive concerning, without limitation, the Company’s financial condition and/or results of operations, statistical data, products, ideas and concepts, strategic business plans, lists of customers or customer information, information relating to marketing plans, management development reviews, including information regarding the capabilities and experience of the Company’s employees, compensation, recruiting and training, and human resource policies and procedures, policy and procedure manuals, together with all materials and documents in any form or medium (including oral, written, tangible, intangible, or electronic) concerning any of the above, and other non-public, proprietary and confidential information of the Company; provided, however, that Confidential and Proprietary Information shall not include any information that is known generally to the public or within the industry other than as a result of unauthorized disclosure by the Executive. It is specifically understood and agreed by the Executive that any non-public information received by the Executive during Executive’s employment by the Company is deemed Confidential and Proprietary Information for purposes of this Agreement. In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason, the Executive shall immediately return to the Company upon request all Confidential and Proprietary Information in Executive’s possession or control.
7. Non-Solicitation. Executive agrees that during the Term and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, unless the Executive obtains the Company’s prior written permission, which may be granted or denied at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, the Executive shall not:
(a) solicit or divert to any competitor of the Company or, upon termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, accept any business from any individual or entity that is a customer or a prospective customer of the Company, to the extent that such prospective customer was identifiable as such prior to the date of the Executive’s termination, except that this covenant of non-solicitation shall not apply with respect to anyone who, while having previously been a customer or prospect of the Company, is no longer a customer or prospect of the Company at the time of the solicitation; and/or
(b) induce or encourage any officer and/or employee of the Company to leave the employ of the Company, hire any individual who was an employee of the Company as of the date of the termination of the Executive’s, or induce or encourage any customer, vendor, participant, agent, or other business relation of the Company to cease or reduce doing business with the Company or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, vendor, participant, agent, or other business relation and the Company.
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8. Noncompete Agreement. For a period of twelve (12) months after any resignation or termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into or engage directly or indirectly in competition with the Company or any subsidiary or other company under common control with the Company, in any fintech business conducted by the Company or any such subsidiary at the time of such resignation or termination, either as an individual on his own or as a partner or joint venturer, or as a director, officer, shareholder, employee, agent, independent contractor, nor shall Executive assist any other person or entity in engaging directly or indirectly in such competition.
9. Non-Disparagement. During the Term, after its expiration and following the termination of this Agreement by the Company or the Executive for any reason, each party agrees not to make any statements, in writing or otherwise, that disparage the reputation or character of the other party or, in the case of the Company, any subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company or any of their respective managers, directors, officers, stockholders, partners, members or employees, at any time for any reason whatsoever, except that nothing in this section shall prohibit any party from giving truthful testimony in any litigation or administrative proceedings either between the Executive and the Company or in connection with which such party is subpoenaed and required by law to give testimony, including without limitation, any action by the Executive to enforce Executive’s rights hereunder.
10. Permitted Governmental Disclosures. The federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 immunizes employees against criminal and civil liability under federal or state trade secret laws – under certain circumstances – if Executive discloses a trade secret for the purpose of reporting a suspected violation of law. Pursuant to such Act, immunity is available if Executive discloses a trade secret in either of these two circumstances: (1) Executive discloses the trade secret (a) in confidence, (b) directly or indirectly to a government official (federal, state or local) or to a lawyer, (c) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (2) in a legal proceeding, Executive discloses the trade secret in the complaint or other documents filed in the case, so long as the document is filed “under seal” (meaning that it is not accessible to the public). Further, nothing in this Employment Agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Congress, and any federal Inspector General, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation or disclosures regarding the factual foundation of any allegation of sexual harassment or sexual assault. Executive does not need prior authorization to make any such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that he has made such reports or disclosures.
11. Severance Compensation Conditional; Remedies for Breach of Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9; Independence of Covenants; Notice to Others; Savings Clause.
11.1 Severance Compensation Independent. Company’s obligation to pay Severance Compensation is conditioned on Executive’s compliance with Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement and Company shall not be obligated to pay such Severance Compensation in the event of any breach by Executive of such sections.
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11.2 Remedies for Breach of Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9. Executive and Company agree that the covenants in Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 are reasonable covenants under the circumstances. Executive agrees that any breach of the covenants set forth in Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement will irreparably harm the Company. The Executive and the Company agree that in the event of any breach by the Executive of the provisions set forth in Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to all rights and remedies available at law or in equity, including without limitation, the following cumulative and not alternative rights:
(a) the right to obtain injunctive or other equitable relief to restrain any breach or threatened breach or otherwise to specifically enforce the provisions of this Agreement, it being agreed that monetary damages alone would be inadequate to compensate the Company, the amount of such damages will be difficult (if not impossible) to prove precisely, and would be an inadequate remedy for such breach;
(b) the right to institute civil suit to recover damages suffered by the Company;
(c) the right to recover actual reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred by the Company in connection with pursuing remedies hereunder; and the right to seek an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits arising from any such violation.
11.3 Independence of Covenants. The existence of any claim or cause of action of the Executive against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the provisions of Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9.
11.4 Notice to Others. Executive agrees to notify any future prospective employers and future employers, and any future joint venturers, partners and contracting parties of Executive, whose activities may be deemed to compete with Company of the existence of each of the covenants contained in Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement.
11.5 Savings Clause. In the event that any provision or provisions of any of the covenants in Section 6, 7, 8 and 9 would otherwise be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable in whole or in part by reason of being for too great a period of time or covering too great a geographical area or too broad a product market, or for any other reason, each such covenant shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect and be construed so as to be enforceable as to that period of time and geographical area and product market, and on such other conditions, as may be determined to be reasonable by the court.
12. Amendments. No amendments to this Agreement shall be binding unless in writing and signed by both parties.
13. Notices. All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effective (i) when delivered in person or by fax or other electronic means capable of being embodied in written form, or (ii) forty-eight (48) hours after deposit thereof in the U.S. mails by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed, in the case of Executive, to her last known address as carried on the personnel records of Company and, in the case of Company, to the corporate headquarters, attention of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or to such other address as the party to be notified may specify by notice to the other party.
14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement is the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes and replaces all other negotiations, discussions and prior or contemporaneous agreements between the parties, whether oral or written, with respect to the subject matter of Executive’s employment with Company.
15. Binding Effect and Benefits. The rights and obligations of Company and Executive under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of Company and Executive.
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16. Construction. This Agreement shall be construed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as they may be preempted by federal laws and regulations. Section headings are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of the terms and provisions of the Agreement.
17. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue. The validity, interpretation, construction, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to its conflicts of law rules, and by federal law to the extent it pre-empts state law. For purposes of any action or proceeding, the Executive irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the courts of the United States of America located in Pennsylvania (the “Pennsylvania Courts”) for the purpose of any judicial proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or otherwise. The Executive irrevocably agrees to service of process by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Executive at the addressed listed in the records of the Company. The proper venue for all such disputes, actions or proceedings shall be in the Pennsylvania Courts. The parties agree that in any action or proceeds arising under this Agreement, attorneys’ fees and costs shall be awarded to the prevailing party.
18. Executive’s Acknowledgment of Terms and Right to Separate Counsel. Executive acknowledges that he has read this Agreement fully and carefully, understands its terms and that it has been entered into by Executive voluntarily. Executive further acknowledges that Executive has had sufficient opportunity to consider this Agreement and discuss it with Executive’s own advisors, including Executive’s attorney and accountants and that Executive has made Executive’s own free decision whether and to what extent to do so.
19. Legal Expenses. Company shall pay to Executive all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by him in seeking to obtain or enforce any rights or benefits provided by this Agreement to the extent he prevails in such efforts.
20. Indemnification of Executive. Company shall indemnify Executive against any liability incurred in connection with any proceeding in which the Executive may be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Executive is or was serving as Chief Financial Officer to the extent permitted by the Company’s articles of incorporation, bylaws and applicable law. To further effect, satisfy or secure the indemnification obligations provided herein or otherwise, the Company shall cause its director and officer liability insurance to cover Executive during the Term and for such period thereafter as the Company’s liability insurance policy permits coverage for actions or omissions of former directors or officers.
21. Clawback Provision. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, any incentive-based or other compensation paid to the Executive under this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation, or stock exchange listing requirement (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement). The Company will make any determination for clawback or recovery in accordance with the Company’s established policy, applicable law or regulation.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the due execution of this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
| BM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | |
| Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
| XXXX XXXXX | ||
| /s/ Xxxx Xxxxx | ||
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