EMPLOYMENT AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
----------------------------------------
THIS AGREEMENT made as of the 1st day of February, 2000 by and among
SOUTHINGTON SAVINGS BANK, with its principal offices at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (the "Bank"), BANCORP CONNECTICUT, INC., with its
principal offices at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (the "Parent
Corp."), and XXXXXXX XXXXX, an individual residing in Avon, CT (the
"Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H:
- - - - - - - - - -
Executive is currently employed by the Bank as its Chief Financial Officer and
by the Parent Corp. as its Chief Financial Officer. This Agreement is entered
into to set forth the terms of Executive's employment with the Bank and Parent
Corp. and in order to ensure that the Bank and the Parent Corp. will have the
continued attention and dedication of Executive, notwithstanding the
possibility, threat or occurrence of a "Change of Control" (as defined below) of
the Bank or the Parent Corp. Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual
promises and covenants contained herein, including but not limited to the
severance benefits provided to Executive by Bank or the Parent Corp. in the
circumstances set forth below, and Executive's having access to Bank's and/or
the Parent Corp.'s confidential business and technological information, the
parties agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
-----------
Where used in this Agreement:
A. "CAUSE" shall mean (a) the willful, repeated or continued failure by
the Executive to perform duties reasonably requested of him hereunder, after
Executive is notified in writing of such failure and fails to cure same within
15 days following his receipt of such notice; (b) commission by the Executive of
a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; (c) repeated misuse by the
Executive of alcohol or controlled substances; (d) deception, fraud,
misrepresentation, dishonesty or breach of fiduciary duty involving personal
profit; (e) any act or omission by the Executive which substantially impairs the
Bank's business, good will or reputation (f) any willful violation by the
Executive of any relevant and material law, rule or regulation of which
Executive is aware or reasonably should have been aware, after Executive is
notified in writing of such violation and fails to cure such violation within 15
days following his receipt of such notice (unless such violation is incapable of
being cured, in which case no such notice or opportunity to cure shall be
required); (g) any other material violation of any provision of this Agreement,
including but not limited to restrictive covenants against competition and
disclosure of confidential information, after Executive is notified in writing
of such violation and fails to cure such violation within 15 days following his
receipt of such notice (unless such violation is incapable of being cured, in
which case no such notice or opportunity to cure shall be required); (h)
Executive's removal and/or permanent prohibition from participating in the
conduct of the Bank's
affairs by the Commissioner of Banking of the State of Connecticut or the FDIC;
or (i) termination of all obligations of the Bank and/or the Parent Corp. under
this Agreement by the FDIC in connection with an agreement to provide financial
assistance to or on behalf of the Bank and/or the Parent Corp.
B. "CHANGE OF CONTROL" shall mean, with respect to either the Bank or the
Parent Corp. the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning
of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of
either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Bank or the Parent
Corp. (the "Outstanding Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of the Bank or the Parent Corp. entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Voting
Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this subparagraph (a), the
following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any
acquisition directly from the Bank or the Parent Corp., (ii) any acquisition by
the Bank or the Parent Corp., (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan
(or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Bank or the Parent Corp. or
any corporation controlled by the Bank or the Parent Corp. or (iv) any
acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (c) below; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, are members of the Board of
Directors of the Bank or the Parent Corp. (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any
reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Bank
or the Parent Corp.; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director
subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the
Bank's or the Parent Corp.'s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a
majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be
considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but
excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of
office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with
respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
Board of Directors of the Bank or the Parent Corp.; or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Bank or the
Parent Corp. (a "Business Combination"), unless, immediately following such
Business Combination, each of the following conditions are satisfied: (i) all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial
owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Common Stock and Outstanding Voting
Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own,
directly or indirectly, more than 66-2/3%
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of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined
voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a
corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Bank or the Parent
Corp. or all or substantially all of the Bank's or the Parent Corp.'s assets
either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination,
of the Outstanding Common Stock and Outstanding Voting Securities, as the case
may be; (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business
Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Bank or
Parent Corp. or any related corporation or such corporation resulting from such
Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that
such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a
majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting
from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time
of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of such Board,
providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Bank or the Parent Corp. of a
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Bank or the Parent Corp. that is not
pursuant to a Business Combination.
C. "DISABILITY" shall mean the Executive's inability by reason of any physical
or mental injury or illness to substantially perform the services required of
him hereunder either for a period in excess of one hundred eighty (180)
consecutive days or for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days in the
aggregate during any three-hundred sixty (360) day period.
2. EMPLOYMENT DUTIES
-----------------
(a) The Bank and Parent Corp. will employ the Executive as its Chief Financial
Officer. The Executive will continue in such employment for the duration of the
Term of Employment (as set forth below) and will perform all services which may
be required of him in such office, and such services and assignments as may be
issued by the Bank's Chief Executive Officer, in each case consistent with the
title and responsibilities of his position and his expertise.
(b) Executive understands and agrees that Executive shall not, while employed
by Bank and Parent Corp., undertake or engage in any other employment occupation
or business enterprise without the prior written consent of Bank and Parent
Corp. The provisions of this Paragraph 4 shall not be deemed to preclude
membership in professional societies, lecturing or the acceptance of honorary
positions, that are in any case incidental to Executive's employment by Bank and
Parent Corp. and which are not
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adverse or antagonistic to Bank and Parent Corp., their business or prospects,
financial or otherwise.
3. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT
------------------
Subject to the renewal provisions of this Agreement, the term of this Agreement
shall commence on February 1, 2000 and shall expire on December 31, 2001 (the
"Initial Period"), unless terminated earlier by either party in accordance with
the provisions of Paragraph 8. This Agreement shall automatically renew for
successive one year periods unless either party (the Bank and the Parent Corp.
being considered as one party for purposes of this Paragraph 3) delivers written
notice of its intention not to renew this Agreement at least twelve (12) months
prior to the expiration of the then-current term. The phrase "Term of
Employment" shall mean the Initial Period and all renewal periods. In the event
that Executive's employment relationship with Bank is terminated, Executive's
obligations under Paragraphs 10 and 11 hereof nevertheless shall survive such
termination.
4. COMPENSATION
------------
(a) For service commencing April 1, 2000, the Executive's base salary will be
at the annual rate of One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Five Hundred Dollars
($125,500). The Bank will review the Executive's salary annually, on or before
April 1st of each employment year. The Executive's base salary will not be
reduced below $125,500.00 or, if his base salary is increased, below such
increased amount.
(b) The Executive's base salary will be paid at periodic intervals in
accordance with the Bank's payroll practices for executive employees.
(c) The Bank will deduct and withhold, from any payments to the Executive
hereunder, any and all federal, state and local income and employment
withholding taxes and any other amounts required to be deducted or withheld by
the Bank under applicable law.
5. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
---------------------
The Bank shall reimburse the Executive for all customary, ordinary and necessary
business expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties hereunder in
accordance with Bank policies and procedures.
6. FRINGE BENEFITS
---------------
During the Term of Employment, the Executive will be eligible to participate in
any retirement plan, group life insurance plan, group medical and dental
insurance plan (same co-payments as applicable to other employees of the Bank),
accidental death and dismemberment plan, short-term and long-term disability
program and other employee
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benefit plans that are made available to other executive officers and for which
he qualifies. The Executive will be eligible for four (4) weeks of paid vacation
during each calendar year in which he is employed hereunder.
7. DEATH
-----
If the Executive dies during the Term of Employment, the employment relationship
created by this Agreement will terminate, and the Executive's salary shall
continue to be paid to his designated beneficiary or, if none, to his personal
representative only through the end of the month in which his death occurred. In
addition, the Executive, or his designated beneficiary or personal
representative, will be entitled to such death benefits as may be payable under
Paragraph 6.
8. TERMINATION
-----------
(a) This Agreement may be terminated only under the following circumstances:
(i) Any party may terminate this Agreement on thirty (30) days' notice to
the other party (except as provided below);
(ii) This Agreement and the Executive's employment shall terminate upon
Executive's death or retirement in accordance with the Company's
normal retirement policies;
(iii) If the Executive is disabled within the meaning of Paragraph 1 C, the
Company may terminate his employment upon not less than thirty (30)
days' prior written notice unless during such thirty-day period
Executive resumes the performance of his duties hereunder on a
full-time basis; or
(iv) The Company may immediately terminate the Executive's employment for
"Cause" (as defined above).
(b) In the event that the Bank or Parent Corp. terminates the Executive's
employment due to Disability or pursuant to Section 8(a)(ii), the Executive or
his estate will be entitled to receive all accrued salary and benefits through
the date of termination, including without limitation all benefits to which he
is entitled under any disability plans or insurance maintained by the Bank or
Parent Corp.
(c) In the event that the Bank or Parent Corp. terminates the Executive's
employment for Cause, or Executive terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section
8(a)(i), the Executive will be entitled to receive all accrued salary and
benefits through the date of termination.
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9. SEVERANCE BENEFIT
-----------------
(a) If (i) the Bank or Parent Corp. terminates this Agreement without "Cause"
(other than on account of the Executive's death, retirement or "Disability") or
(ii) the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment within six (6) months
following the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Executive will be entitled
to receive in full satisfaction of the Bank's and Parent Corp.'s obligations to
the Executive under this Agreement (A) all accrued salary and benefits through
the effective date of such termination; (B) a severance benefit equal to the sum
of (x) twenty-four (24) months' pay at Executive's then-current base salary
payable either in a single lump sum or, at the Executive's option, over such
twenty-four (24) month period in accordance with the Bank's regular payroll
cycle; and (y) two times the most recent annual bonus received by Executive from
the Bank or the Parent Corp.; and (C) all benefits then owed to Executive under
all employee benefit plans maintained by the Bank and/or the Parent Corp. In
addition, all stock options granted to the Executive by the Bank and/or the
Parent Corp. shall be fully exercisable, except to the extent that the
acceleration of vesting thereunder will materially adversely affect the
accounting treatment applicable to any Change of Control. In addition, Executive
shall continue to receive paid coverage (subject to his payment of the same
share of the premium cost as is paid by other Bank employees) under the Bank's
group health insurance plan (as such plan may be modified from time to time), in
accordance with Executive's coverage elections in effect immediately prior to
his termination of employment, for a period commencing at the termination of his
employment and ending at the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months thereafter; or
(ii) the date on which Executive obtains coverage under another employer's group
health plan, in which case Executive's participation in the Bank's plan will
terminate. Thereafter, the Executive shall have whatever rights are available to
him under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended
("COBRA").
(b) Except as expressly set forth above, the foregoing payments and benefits to
the Executive shall not be reduced by the amount of any compensation or benefits
received by the Executive from other employers following the termination of this
Agreement.
10. CONFIDENTIALITY
---------------
The Executive has been and will in the future be exposed to confidential
information of the Bank and/or the Parent Corp., including, but not limited to,
financial information, business plans, product and service ideas, new and
existing customer lists, vendor lists, account information, pricing policies,
trade secrets, methods, procedures, and confidential information of the Bank's
and/or the Parent Corp.'s customers (the "Confidential Information"). The
Executive agrees as follows:
(a) All Confidential Information expressly is understood to be the
property of the Bank and/or its customers. All such Confidential
Information and
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any other records or documents of the Bank in the possession or
control of Executive shall be returned to the Bank immediately upon
the cessation of the Executive's employment with the Bank.
(b) The Executive shall keep all Confidential Information strictly
confidential, and shall not use such Confidential Information on his
own behalf or on behalf of any third parties, or disclose the same to
any third parties, either directly or indirectly, except in
furtherance of the Bank's business or as the Bank may direct.
11. POST-EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS ON COMPETITION
-------------------------------------------
(a) In consideration of the severance benefits provided to the Executive
herein, which Executive acknowledges he would not otherwise be entitled to in
the absence of this Agreement, the Executive covenants and agrees that, for a
period of one (1) year following the voluntary termination by Executive of his
employment with the Bank pursuant to Section 8(a)(i) for any reason (except
following a Change of Control), he will not accept employment or otherwise
provide services in the position or function of Chief Financial Officer or in
any similar capacity to any bank headquartered or having its Connecticut
operations headquartered within the "Restricted Territory" set forth on Exhibit
A. The foregoing restriction applies solely to the Executive's employment or
performance of services to banks headquartered or having their Connecticut
operations headquartered within the Restricted Territory. In addition, the
Executive covenants and agrees that, during the term of this Agreement and for a
period of one (1) year following the termination of his employment with the Bank
for any reason, he will not encourage or solicit directly or indirectly any
employee of the Bank (i) to leave the Bank for any reason or (ii) to devote less
than all of his or her efforts to the Bank's business.
(b) The Executive and the Bank acknowledge and agree that they have
attempted to limit Executive's ability to compete with the Bank only to a
reasonable extent. It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the
provisions of this Agreement shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible
under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which
enforcement is sought. However, the Executive and the Bank agree that if a court
finds that the scope of any one or more of the provisions contained in this
Paragraph 11 shall, for any reason, be invalid, illegal, excessively broad,
unreasonable, or unenforceable in any respect, then the court may modify the
covenant to render it reasonable.
12. SEVERABILITY
------------
If any provision, paragraph, or subparagraph of this Agreement is determined by
a Court to be void, invalid, illegal, unreasonable or unenforceable, in whole or
in part,
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this adjudication shall not affect the validity of any other provision in this
Agreement. Each provision, paragraph or subparagraph of this Agreement is
severable from every other provision, paragraph, and subparagraph, and
constitutes a separate and distinct covenant.
13. REMEDIES
--------
The Executive acknowledges and agrees that compliance with the confidentiality
obligations and non-competition contained in this Agreement is necessary and
essential to protect the business and goodwill of Bank and/or the Parent Corp.,
and that a breach of this Agreement by the Executive will result in irreparable
and continuing damage to Bank and/or the Parent Corp., for which money damages
would not provide adequate relief. Consequently, Executive agrees that, in the
event that he breaches or threatens to breach the confidentiality obligations
contained in this Agreement, the Bank and/or the Parent Corp., shall be entitled
to either or both:
(a) immediate injunctive relief in order to prevent the continuation of
such harm to Bank and/or to the Parent Corp. and to enforce the terms
of this Agreement without the necessity of posting a bond; and
(b) money damages insofar as they can be determined.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit Bank from pursuing any
other remedy, the parties having agreed that all remedies are cumulative.
14. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
------------------------------
This Agreement and the enforceability thereof shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut. Any action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement may be commenced in any
state court or United States District Court located in the State of Connecticut.
15. MODIFICATION
------------
The Parent Corp., the Bank and Executive agree that this Agreement may not be
modified or amended except by a written instrument executed by Executive and an
authorized officer of Bank and the Parent Corp.
16. COMPLETE AGREEMENT
------------------
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parent Corp., the Bank
and Executive, and shall supersede and prevail over all other prior agreements,
understandings or representations by or between the parties, whether oral or
written, with respect to the subject matters contained herein.
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17. ASSIGNMENT
----------
This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall bind
and inure to the benefit of any successor or successors of Bank and the Parent
Corp. by reorganization, merger or consolidation and any assignee of all or
substantially all of its business and properties, but, neither this Agreement
nor any rights or benefits hereunder may be assigned by Executive.
18. WAIVERS
-------
If any party hereto shall waive any breach of any provision of this Agreement,
such party shall not be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach
of the same or any other provision of the Agreement.
19. HEADINGS
--------
The headings of the sections in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only
and shall not be deemed to constitute a part of the Agreement nor to affect the
meaning of the Agreement.
20. ATTORNEYS' FEES
---------------
If any party to this Agreement breaches any terms of this Agreement, then that
party shall pay to the non-defaulting party all of the non-defaulting party's
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by that party
in enforcing the terms of this Agreement.
21. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE
--------------------------------------------
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Parent
Corp. and/or the Bank to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or
payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or otherwise (a "Payment), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or any
similar section of the Code or any interest or penalties with respect to such
excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then, notwithstanding
any provision herein to the contrary, the Executive shall be entitled to receive
an additional payment (a "Gross-up Payment") in an amount such that after
payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties
imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income
and employment taxes and any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-up Payment, the
Executive retains under this Agreement, after the imposition of all applicable
taxes, the
9
same amount that he would have retained had he not been subject to the Excise
Tax. The Gross-up Payment under this Paragraph shall be made no later than the
later of (i) thirty (30) days following the date of the Payment; or (ii) the
determination by the Accounting Firm pursuant to Paragraph 21(b) that a Gross-up
Payment is required.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 21(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Paragraph, including whether a Gross-up Payment
is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by a
recognized firm of certified public accountants to be designated by the Bank
(the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations
both to the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank and the Executive within 30 days of
termination of employment under this Agreement, if applicable, or such earlier
time as is requested by the Executive or the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank. When
calculating the amount of the Gross-up Payment, the Executive shall be deemed to
pay:
(i) Federal income taxes at the highest applicable marginal rate of
Federal income taxation for the calendar year in which the Gross-up Payment
is to be made, and
(ii) any applicable state and local income taxes at the highest
applicable marginal rate of taxation for the calendar year in which the
Gross-Up Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in Federal
income taxes which could be obtained for deduction of such state and local
taxes if paid in such year.
All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the
Bank and/or the Parent Corp. The Bank or the Parent Corp. shall furnish an
engagement letter to the Accounting Firm in a form acceptable to the Bank or the
Parent Corp. and the Accounting Firm in connection with the performance of the
Accounting Firm's services hereunder.
If the Accounting Firm has performed services for the person, entity or group
who causes a Change of Control, or affiliate thereof, the Executive may select
an alternative accounting firm from any nationally recognized firm of certified
public accountants (which alternative firm shall be referred to hereunder as the
"Accounting Firm"). If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is
payable by the Executive, the Bank and/or the Parent Corp. shall cause the
Accounting Firm to furnish the Executive with an opinion that he has substantial
authority not to report any Excise Tax on his federal income tax return. Any
determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Parent Corp. and
the Bank and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of
Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-up Payments which will not
have been made by the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank as a result of such
determination should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the
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calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Parent Corp.
and/or the Bank exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 21(c) and the
Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred
and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Parent Corp. and/or the
Bank to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank in writing
of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require
the payment by the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank of the Gross-up Payment. Such
notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than twenty
business days after the Executive receives written notice of such claim and
shall apprise the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank of the nature of such claim and
the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not
pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty-day (30) period following
the date on which he gives such notice to the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank (or
such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to
such claim is due). If the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank notifies the Executive
in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest
such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank any information reasonably
requested by the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the
Parent Corp. and/or the Bank shall reasonably request in writing from
time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal
representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably
selected by the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank.
(iii) cooperate with the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank in good faith in
order effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank to participate in any
proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank shall bear and pay
directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties)
incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax,
including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of
such representation and such other costs and expenses. Without limitation on the
foregoing provisions of this Paragraph, the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank shall
control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole
option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals,
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proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of
such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the
tax claimed and xxx for a refund or contest the claim in a permissible manner,
and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any
administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more
appellate courts, as the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank shall determine; provided,
however, that if the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank directs the Executive to pay
such claim and xxx for a refund, the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank shall advance
the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall
indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any
Excise Tax or advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such
advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations
relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect
to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such
contested amount. Furthermore, the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank's control of the
contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment
would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue
Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of any amount advanced by the
Parent Corp. and/or the Bank pursuant to Paragraph 21(c) the Executive becomes
entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall
(subject to the Parent Corp. and /or the Bank's complying with the requirements
of Paragraph 21(c)) promptly pay to the Parent Corp. and/or the Bank the amount
of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon by the
taxing authority after deducting any taxes applicable thereto). If, after the
receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Parent Corp. and/or the
Bank pursuant to Paragraph 21(c), a determination is made that the Executive
shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Parent
Corp. and/or the Bank does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to
contest such denial or refund prior to the expiration of thirty (30) days after
such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be
required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent
thereof, the amount of Gross-up Payment required to be paid under Paragraph
21(a). The forgiveness of such advance shall be considered part of the Gross-up
Payment and subject to gross-up for any taxes (including interest or penalties)
associated therewith.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as
of the date and year first above written.
SOUTHINGTON SAVINGS BANK
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------------------
By: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President and CEO
BANCORP CONNECTICUT, INC.
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------------------
By: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President and CEO
EXECUTIVE
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
------------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
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Exhibit A
Restricted Territory
The restrictions set forth in Paragraph 11 of the Agreement to which this
Exhibit is attached shall apply to banks headquartered or having Connecticut
operations headquartered in the following municipalities within the State of
Connecticut: Southington, Meriden, Wallingford, New Britain, Plainville,
Cheshire, Wolcott, Waterbury, and Bristol.
6/16/00
