EXHIBIT 10.4
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, is entered into this 22nd day of June 1998, ("Effective
Date") by and between Ridgewood Savings Bank of New Jersey, Ridgewood, New
Jersey (the "Savings Bank") and Xxxx X. Xxxxxx (the "Executive").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Executive has heretofore been employed by the Savings Bank
as the Senior Vice President and is experienced in all phases of the business of
the Savings Bank; and
WHEREAS, the Savings Bank desires to be ensured of the Executive's
continued active participation in the business of the Savings Bank; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Executive to remain in the employ of
the Savings Bank and in consideration of the Executive's agreeing to remain in
the employ of the Savings Bank, the parties desire to specify the continuing
employment relationship between the Savings Bank and the Executive;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment. The Savings Bank hereby employs the Executive in the
capacity of Senior Vice President. The Executive hereby accepts said employment
and agrees to render such administrative and management services to the Savings
Bank and to any to-be-formed parent holding company ("Parent") as are currently
rendered and as are customarily performed by persons situated in a similar
executive capacity. The Executive shall promote the business of the Savings Bank
and Parent. The Executive's other duties shall be such as the Board of Directors
for the Savings Bank (the "Board of Directors" or "Board") may from time to time
reasonably direct, including normal duties as an officer of the Savings Bank.
2. Term of Employment. The term of employment of Executive under this
Agreement shall be for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending
twenty-four (24) months thereafter ("Term"). Additionally, on, or before, each
annual anniversary date from the Effective Date, the Term of employment under
this Agreement shall be extended for up to an additional period beyond the then
effective expiration date upon a determination and resolution of the Board of
Directors that the performance of the Executive has met the requirements and
standards of the Board, and that the Term of such Agreement shall be extended.
References herein to the Term of this Agreement shall refer both to the initial
term and successive terms.
3. Compensation, Benefits and Expenses.
(a) Base Salary. The Savings Bank shall compensate and pay the
Executive during the Term of this Agreement a minimum base salary at the rate of
$76,750 per annum ("Base Salary"), payable in cash not less frequently than
monthly; provided, that the rate of such salary shall be reviewed by the Board
of Directors not less often than annually, and the Executive shall be entitled
to receive increases at such percentages or in such amounts as determined by the
Board of Directors. The base salary may not be decreased without the Executive's
express written consent.
(b) Discretionary Bonus. The Executive shall be entitled to
participate in an equitable manner with all other senior management employees of
the Savings Bank in discretionary bonuses that may be authorized and declared by
the Board of Directors to its senior management executives from time to time. No
other compensation provided for in this Agreement shall be deemed a substitute
for the Executive's right to participate in such discretionary bonuses when and
as declared by the Board.
(c) Participation in Benefit and Retirement Plans. The Executive
shall be entitled to participate in and receive the benefits of any plan of the
Savings Bank which may be or may become applicable to senior management relating
to pension or other retirement benefit plans, profit-sharing, stock options or
incentive plans, or other plans, benefits and privileges given to employees and
executives of the Savings Bank, to the extent commensurate with her then duties
and responsibilities, as fixed by the Board of Directors of the Savings Bank.
(d) Participation in Medical Plans and Insurance Policies. The
Executive shall be entitled to participate in and receive the benefits of any
plan or policy of the Savings Bank which may be or may become applicable to
senior management relating to life insurance, short and long term disability,
medical, dental, eye-care, prescription drugs or medical reimbursement plans.
Additionally, Executive's dependent family shall be eligible to participate in
medical and dental insurance plans sponsored by the Savings Bank or Parent with
the cost of such premiums paid by the Savings Bank.
(e) Vacations and Sick Leave. The Executive shall be entitled to
paid annual vacation leave in accordance with the policies as established from
time to time by the Board of Directors, which shall in no event be less than
four weeks per annum. The Executive shall also be entitled to an annual sick
leave benefit as established by the Board for senior management employees of the
Savings Bank. The Executive shall not be entitled to receive any additional
compensation from the Savings Bank for failure to take a vacation or sick leave,
nor shall she be able to accumulate unused vacation or sick leave from one year
to the next, except to the extent authorized by the Board of Directors.
(f) Expenses. The Savings Bank shall reimburse the Executive or
otherwise provide for or pay for all reasonable expenses incurred by the
Executive in furtherance of, or in connection with the business of the Savings
Bank, including, but not by way of limitation,
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automobile and traveling expenses, and all reasonable entertainment expenses,
subject to such reasonable documentation and other limitations as may be
established by the Board of Directors of the Savings Bank. If such expenses are
paid in the first instance by the Executive, the Savings Bank shall reimburse
the Executive therefor.
(g) Changes in Benefits. The Savings Bank shall not make any
changes in such plans, benefits or privileges previously described in Section
3(c), (d) and (e) which would adversely affect the Executive's rights or
benefits thereunder, unless such change occurs pursuant to a program applicable
to all executive officers of the Savings Bank and does not result in a
proportionately greater adverse change in the rights of, or benefits to, the
Executive as compared with any other executive officer of the Savings Bank.
Nothing paid to Executive under any plan or arrangement presently in effect or
made available in the future shall be deemed to be in lieu of the salary payable
to Executive pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof.
4. Loyalty; Noncompetition.
(a) The Executive shall devote her full time and attention to the
performance of her employment under this Agreement. During the term of the
Executive's employment under this Agreement, the Executive shall not engage in
any business or activity contrary to the business affairs or interests of the
Savings Bank or Parent.
(b) Nothing contained in this Section 4 shall be deemed to
prevent or limit the right of Executive to invest in the capital stock or other
securities of any business dissimilar from that of the Savings Bank or Parent,
or, solely as a passive or minority investor, in any business.
(c) Executive hereby agrees that for a period of one year
following Executive's voluntary termination of employment, absent a Change in
Control of the Bank, Employee shall not engage in providing professional
services or enter into employment as an employee, director, consultant,
representative, or similar relationship to any financial services enterprise
(including but not limited to a savings and loan association, bank, credit
union, or insurance company) whereby the Executive will have a work location
within seven miles of any office of the Bank existing as of the date of
termination of employment of the Executive. This limitation on future activities
shall not affect the payment of previously vested benefits under the
compensation and benefit plans of the Bank or for compensation payable in
accordance with Section 12 of the Agreement.
5. Standards. During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall
perform her duties in accordance with such reasonable standards expected of
executives with comparable positions in comparable organizations and as may be
established from time to time by the Board of Directors.
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6. Termination and Termination Pay. The Executive's employment under
this Agreement shall be terminated upon any of the following occurrences:
(a) The death of the Executive during the term of this Agreement,
in which event the Executive's estate shall be entitled to receive the
compensation due the Executive through the last day of the third calendar month
following the date of the Executive's death.
(b) The Board of Directors may terminate the Executive's
employment at any time, but any termination by the Board of Directors other than
termination for Just Cause, shall not prejudice the Executive's right to
compensation or other benefits under the Agreement. The Executive shall have no
right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination
for Just Cause. The Board may within its sole discretion, acting in good faith,
terminate the Executive for Just Cause and shall notify such Executive
accordingly. Termination for "Just Cause" shall include termination because of
the Executive's personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, 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 the Agreement.
(c) Except as provided pursuant to Section 9 hereof, in the event
Executive's employment under this Agreement is terminated by the Board of
Directors without Just Cause, the Savings Bank shall be obligated to continue to
pay the Executive the salary provided pursuant to Section 3(a) herein, up to the
date of termination of the remaining Term of this Agreement, but in no event for
a period of less than twelve months, and the cost of Executive obtaining all
health, life, disability, and other benefits which the Executive would be
eligible to participate in through such date based upon the benefit levels
substantially equal to those being provided Executive at the date of termination
of employment.
(d) The voluntary termination by the Executive during the term of
this Agreement with the delivery of no less than 60 days written notice to the
Board of Directors, other than pursuant to Section 9(b), in which case the
Executive shall be entitled to receive only the compensation, vested rights, and
all employee benefits up to the date of such termination.
7. Regulatory Exclusions. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to the Agreement, or
otherwise, shall be subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 USC
ss.1828(k) and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
8. Disability. If the Executive shall become disabled or incapacitated
to the extent that she is unable to perform her duties hereunder, by reason of
medically determinable physical or mental impairment, as determined by a doctor
engaged by the Board of Directors, Executive shall nevertheless continue to
receive the compensation and benefits provided under the terms of this Agreement
as follows: 100% of such compensation and benefits for a period of 6 months, but
not exceeding the remaining term of the Agreement, and 50% thereafter for an
additional
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six month period, not exceeding the remaing Term. Such benefits noted herein
shall be reduced by any benefits otherwise provided to the Executive during such
period under the provisions of disability insurance coverage in effect for
Savings Bank employees. Thereafter, Executive shall be eligible to receive
benefits provided by the Savings Bank under the provisions of disability
insurance coverage in effect for Savings Bank employees. Upon returning to
active full-time employment, the Executive's full compensation as set forth in
this Agreement shall be reinstated as of the date of commencement of such
activities. In the event that the Executive returns to active employment on
other than a full-time basis, then her compensation (as set forth in Section
3(a) of this Agreement) shall be reduced in proportion to the time spent in said
employment, or as shall otherwise be agreed to by the parties.
9. Change in Control.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, in the
event of the involuntary termination of Executive's employment during the term
of this Agreement following any Change in Control of the Savings Bank or Parent,
or within 24 months thereafter of such Change in Control, absent Just Cause,
Executive shall be paid an amount equal to the product of 200% of the prior
thirty-six month's taxable compensation paid by the Savings Bank or the Parent
to the Executive (whether paid or deferred by the Executive), but in no event in
an amount greater than 2.999 times the Executive's "base amount" as defined in
Section 280G(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")
and regulations promulgated thereunder. Said sum shall be paid, at the option of
Executive, either in one (1) lump sum within thirty (30) days of such
termination of service or in periodic payments over the next 24 months or the
remaining term of this Agreement, whichever is less, as if Executive's
employment had not been terminated, and such payments shall be in lieu of any
other future payments which the Executive would be otherwise entitled to receive
under Section 6 of this Agreement. Further, such Employee and dependents shall
continue to be eligible to participate in the life insurance and medical/dental
insurance reimbursement program maintained by the Savings Bank or its successor
entity for a period of not less than 24 months following termination of
employment and continue to have such costs for enrollment and benefits coverages
paid by the Savings Bank or Parent. Notwithstanding the forgoing, all sums
payable hereunder shall be reduced in such manner and to such extent so that no
such payments made hereunder when aggregated with all other payments to be made
to the Executive by the Savings Bank or the Parent shall be deemed an "excess
parachute payment" in accordance with Section 280G of the Code and be subject to
the excise tax provided at Section 4999(a) of the Code. The term "Change in
Control" shall refer to (i) the control of voting proxies whether related to
stockholders or mutual members by any person, other than the Board of Directors
of the Savings Bank, to direct more than 25% of the outstanding votes of the
Savings Bank, the control of the election of a majority of the Savings Bank's
directors, or the exercise of a controlling influence over the management or
policies of the Savings Bank by any person or by persons acting as a group
within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, (ii) an event whereby
the FDIC, the New Jersey Department of Banking ("Department") or any other
department, agency or quasi-agency of the federal government cause or bring
about, without the consent of the Savings Bank, a change in the corporate
structure or organization of the Savings Bank; (iii) an event
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whereby the FDIC, the Department or any other agency or quasi-agency of the
federal government cause or bring about, without the consent of the Savings
Bank, a taxation or involuntary distribution of retained earnings or proceeds
from the sale of securities to depositors, borrowers, any government agency or
organization or civic or charitable organization; or (iv) a merger or other
business combination between the Savings Bank and another corporate entity
whereby the Savings Bank is not the surviving entity. In the event that the
Savings Bank shall convert in the future from mutual-to-stock form, the term
"Change in Control" shall also refer to: (i) the sale of all, or a material
portion, of the assets of the Savings Bank or the Parent; (ii) the merger or
recapitalization of the Savings Bank or the Parent whereby the Savings Bank or
the Parent is not the surviving entity; (iii) a change in control of the Savings
Bank or the Parent, as otherwise defined or determined by the Department, the
FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board or regulations promulgated by such agencies; or
(iv) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of the beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of that term as it is used in Section 13(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder) of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the outstanding voting
securities of the Savings Bank or the Parent by any person, trust, entity or
group. The term "person" means an individual other than the Executive, or a
corporation, partnership, trust, association, joint venture, pool, syndicate,
sole proprietorship, unincorporated organization or any other form of entity not
specifically listed herein.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, Executive may voluntarily terminate her employment during the term of
this Agreement following a Change in Control of the Savings Bank or Parent, or
within twenty-four months following such Change in Control, and Executive (or
the Executive's estate in the event of death after a Change in Control but prior
to payment) shall thereupon be entitled to receive the payment described in
Section 9(a) of this Agreement, upon the occurrence, or within 120 days
thereafter, of any of the following events, which have not been consented to in
advance by the Executive in writing: (i) if Executive would be required to move
her personal residence or perform her principal executive functions more than
thirty-five (35) miles from the Executive's primary office as of the signing of
this Agreement; (ii) if in the organizational structure of the Savings Bank,
Executive would be required to report to a person or persons other than the
President, Executive Vice President or the Board of Directors of the Savings
Bank; (iii) if the Savings Bank should fail to maintain Executive's base
compensation in effect as of the date of the Change in Control and the existing
employee benefits plans, including material fringe benefit, stock option and
retirement plans; (iv) if Executive would be assigned duties and
responsibilities other than those normally associated with her position as
referenced at Section 1, herein; or (v) if Executive's responsibilities or
authority have in any way been materially diminished or reduced.
10. Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Savings Bank
hereunder to the Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts,
if any, relating to tax and other payroll deductions as the Savings Bank may
reasonably determine should be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation.
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11. Successors and Assigns.
(a) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon any corporate or other successor of the Savings Bank or Parent which shall
acquire, directly or indirectly, by merger, consolidation, purchase or
otherwise, all or substantially all of the assets or stock of the Savings Bank
or Parent.
(b) Since the Savings Bank is contracting for the unique and
personal skills of the Executive, the Executive shall be precluded from
assigning or delegating her rights or duties hereunder without first obtaining
the written consent of the Savings Bank.
12. Amendment; Waiver. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified,
waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to
in writing, signed by the Executive and such officer or officers as may be
specifically designated by the Board of Directors of the Savings Bank to sign on
its behalf. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any breach by any other
party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of
similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or
subsequent time.
13. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States
where applicable and otherwise by the substantive laws of the State of New
Jersey.
14. Nature of Obligations. Nothing contained herein shall create or
require the Savings Bank to create a trust of any kind to fund any benefits
which may be payable hereunder, and to the extent that the Executive acquires a
right to receive benefits from the Savings Bank hereunder, such right shall be
no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Savings Bank.
15. Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
16. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed
severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other
provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
17. Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in
accordance with the rules then in effect of the district office of the American
Arbitration Association ("AAA") nearest to the home office of the Savings Bank,
and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof, except to the extent that the parties may otherwise reach
a mutual settlement of such issue. Further, the settlement of the dispute to be
approved by the Board of the Savings Bank may include a provision for the
reimbursement by the Savings Bank to the Executive for all reasonable costs and
expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising from such
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dispute, proceedings or actions, or the Board of the Savings Bank or the Parent
may authorize such reimbursement of such reasonable costs and expenses by
separate action upon a written action and determination of the Board following
settlement of the dispute. Such reimbursement shall be paid within ten (10) days
of Executive furnishing to the Savings Bank or Parent evidence, which may be in
the form, among other things, of a canceled check or receipt, of any costs or
expenses incurred by Executive.
18. Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges that during her
employment she will learn and have access to confidential information regarding
the Savings Bank and the Parent and its customers and businesses ("Confidential
Information"). The Executive agrees and covenants not to disclose or use for her
own benefit, or the benefit of any other person or entity, any such Confidential
Information, unless or until the Savings Bank or the Parent consents to such
disclosure or use or such information becomes common knowledge in the industry
or is otherwise legally in the public domain. The Executive shall not knowingly
disclose or reveal to any unauthorized person any Confidential Information
relating to the Savings Bank, the Parent, or any subsidiaries or affiliates, or
to any of the businesses operated by them, and the Executive confirms that such
information constitutes the exclusive property of the Savings Bank and the
Parent. The Executive shall not otherwise knowingly act or conduct herself (a)
to the material detriment of the Savings Bank or the Parent, or its
subsidiaries, or affiliates, or (b) in a manner which is inimical or contrary to
the interests of the Savings Bank or the Parent. Executive acknowledges and
agrees that the existence of this Agreement and its terms and conditions
constitutes Confidential Information of the Savings Bank, and the Executive
agrees not to disclose the Agreement or its contents without the prior written
consent of the Savings Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Savings Bank
reserves the right in its sole discretion to make disclosure of this Agreement
as it deems necessary or appropriate in compliance with its regulatory reporting
requirements. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, failure by the
Executive to comply with the provisions of this Section may result in the
immediate termination of the Agreement within the sole discretion of the Savings
Bank, disciplinary action against the Executive taken by the Savings Bank,
including but not limited to the termination of employment of the Executive for
breach of the Agreement and the provisions of this Section, and other remedies
that may be available in law or in equity.
19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with any understanding or
modifications thereof as agreed to in writing by the parties, shall constitute
the entire agreement between the parties hereto.
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