EXHIBIT 4.4
CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT BANCORP
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
THE STOCK OPTION GRANTED HEREIN IS INTENDED TO BE AND SHALL BE TREATED AS AN
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION UNDER SECTION 422 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.
This Incentive Stock Option Agreement (the "Agreement") is made as of
the ______ day of _____________, _____, by and between California Independent
Bancorp (the "Company") and______________________, ("Optionee");
WHEREAS, pursuant to the 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), a
copy of which is attached hereto, the Board of Directors of the Company has
authorized granting to Optionee a incentive stock option to purchase all or any
part of _______________ (_______) authorized but unissued shares of the
Company's common stock at the price of _____________ dollars and _______ cents
($__.__) per share, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter stated (the
"Option") ;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed:
1. GRANT OF OPTION. The Company's Board of Directors hereby grants to
Optionee, an option to purchase a total of _____________ shares of common stock
of the Company, at the price provided herein, and subject to the terms,
definitions and provisions of the Plan. The capitalized terms defined in the
Plan shall have the same defined meanings herein. The grant of this option shall
not impose an obligation on the Optionee to exercise the Option.
2. NATURE OF THE OPTION. This Option is intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option ("ISO") as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). However, the Company does not represent
or warrant that this Option qualifies as an incentive stock option. If for any
reason the Option fails to be deemed an ISO, the Option shall thereafter be
governed by the Plan's provisions regarding nonqualified stock options. Optionee
acknowledges that Optionee is responsible to consult with Optionee's own tax
advisor regarding the tax effects of the Option and the requirements necessary
to obtain income tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code, including, but not
limited to, holding period requirements.
Optionee acknowledges, and the Company affirms, that the methodology by
which the Fair Market Value of the Shares has been determined by the Company
represents a good faith attempt, as defined in the Code and the regulations
thereunder, at reaching an accurate appraisal of the Fair Market Value of the
Shares; and the Company shall not be responsible
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for any additional tax liability incurred by Optionee in the event that the
Internal Revenue Service were to determine that the Option does not qualify
as an ISO for any reason.
3. EXERCISE PRICE. The Exercise Price of the Option is _____________
dollars and _______________ cents ($__.__) per share, which is not less than the
Fair Market Value per share of the common stock of the Company on the Grant
Date. In the case of Optionee-shareholders who own securities possessing more
than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of
securities of the Company, the Exercise Price is not less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value of the stock on the Grant Date.
4. OPTION TERM. Subject to earlier termination as provided in the
Plan, this Option shall terminate on ______________________, and may be
exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of
this Option.
5. EXERCISE OF OPTION. This Option shall be exercisable during its
term in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of the Plan as follows:
(a) RIGHT TO EXERCISE. This Option shall vest cumulatively,
the date of grant of the Option, exercisable during a period of ________ months
after the Grant Date as follows:
(1) This Option may be exercised immediately to the extent
of not more than ____ percent (__%) of the Shares;
(2) Upon or after the expiration of _________ (__) months
from the Grant Date, this Option may be exercised to the extent of an
additional ____ percent (__%) of the Shares;
(3) Upon or after the expiration of _________ (__) months
from the Grant Date, this Option may be exercised to the extent of an
additional ____ percent (__%) of the Shares;
(4) Upon or after the expiration of _________ (__) months
from the Grant Date, this Option may be exercised to the extent of an
additional ____ percent (__%) of the Shares; and
(5) Upon or after the expiration of _________ (__) months
from the Grant Date, this Option may be exercised to the extent of an
additional ____ percent (__%) of the Shares.
Any portion of the Option not exercised shall accumulate and can be
exercised any time prior to or upon the expiration of _________ (__) months from
the Grant Date.
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(b) MINIMUM EXERCISE. This Option may not be exercised for less than ___
Shares nor for a fraction of a Share.
(c) METHOD OF EXERCISE. This Option shall be exercisable only by
delivery to the Company of a written stock option exercise agreement (the
"Exercise Agreement") in a form approved by the Committee. The Exercise
Agreement shall state the election to exercise the Option, specify the number
of whole Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised, any
restrictions imposed on the Shares purchased, and such representations and
agreements as required by the Company to comply with applicable securities
laws. Such Exercise Agreement shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be
delivered, in person or by certified mail, to the Secretary of the Company
accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price as specified below.
No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of the Option
unless such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant
provisions of law and the requirements of any stock exchange or inter-dealer
quotation system upon which the shares of the Company's common stock may then
be listed or quoted. Assuming such compliance, the Shares shall be considered
transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with
respect to such Shares. An Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder of
the Company with respect to any Shares until the issuance of a stock
certificate to the Optionee for such Shares.
(d) METHOD OF PAYMENT. The entire Exercise Price of Shares issued
under the Plan shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of
America or its equivalent (e.g. certified check, official bank check or money
order) at the time when such Shares are purchased. Such payment also shall
include the amount of any withholding tax obligation which may arise in
connection with the exercise, as determined by the Company. In addition,
payment may be made in any of the following forms as indicated by an "x" in
the preceding parenthesis:
( ) SURRENDER OF STOCK. Payment of all or part of the Exercise Price
and any withholding taxes may be made all or in part with Shares
which have already been owned by the Optionee or Optionee's
representative for more than 6 months and which are surrendered
to the Company in good form for transfer. Such Shares shall be
valued at their Fair Market Value on the date when the new Shares
are purchased pursuant to exercise of the Option.
( ) EXERCISE/SALE. Payment may be made by the delivery (on a form
prescribed by the Company) of an irrevocable direction to a
securities broker approved by the Company to sell Shares and to
deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company in
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payment of all or part of the Exercise Price and any withholding
taxes.
( ) EXERCISE/PLEDGE. Payment may be made by the delivery (on a form
prescribed by the Company) of an irrevocable direction to pledge
Shares to a securities broker or lender approved by the Company,
as security for a loan, and to deliver all or part of the loan
proceeds to the Company in payment of all or part of the Exercise
Price and any withholding taxes.
( ) COMBINATION. By any combination of the permissible forms of
payment.
(e) RESTRICTIONS ON EXERCISE. Notwithstanding the exercise periods set
forth in this Agreement, exercise of an Option will always be subject to the
following:
(1) In the event of a Optionee's death or Disability, the term of
the Option shall expire [SPECIFY A PERIOD FROM 12 TO 6 MONTHS] after such
death or Disability but not later than the original expiration date specified
in Section 4 of this Agreement.
(2) In the event that the Board determine that an Optionee be
terminated by the Company for cause, the term of the Option shall expire
immediately after the Company's notice or advice of such termination is
dispatched to the Optionee. For purposes of this Paragraph (2), "cause" shall
mean an act of embezzlement, fraud, dishonesty, breach of fiduciary duty to
the Company, or the deliberate disregard of rules of the Company which
results in loss, damage or injury to the Company, the unauthorized disclosure
of any of the secrets or confidential information of the Company, the
inducement of any client or customer of the Company to break any contract
with the Company, or the inducement of any principal for whom the Company
acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship, the engagement of any
conduct which constitutes unfair competition with the Company, the removal of
Optionee from office by any court or bank regulatory agency, or such other
similar acts which the Committee in its discretion determine to constitute
good cause for termination of Optionee's service. In making such
determination of cause, the Board shall give the Optionee an opportunity to
appear before the Board and present evidence on the Optionee's behalf. As
used in this Paragraph (2), Company includes any subsidiaries of the Company.
(3) As a result of termination for any reason other than death, Disability
or cause, the term of the Option shall expire three (3) months) after such
termination, but not later than the original expiration date specified in
Section 4 of this Agreement.
(4) This Option shall not be exercisable by Optionee in any part
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unless at all times beginning with the date of grant and ending no more than
______ (_) months prior to the date of exercise, Optionee has, except for
military service leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence (such
as temporary employment by the United States Government) been in the
continuous service of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, except that such
period of _______ (__) months shall instead be the period specified in
Paragraph 5(e)(1) above, following any termination of Optionee's affiliation
by reason of Optionee's permanent and total disability.
(5) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of grant) of
Shares with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by an
Optionee during any calendar year (under the Plan or under any other incentive
stock option plan of the Company) cannot exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000). If this amount is exceeded for such ISOs, then the Options for the
first One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) worth of Shares to become
exercisable in such calendar year will be ISOs and the Options for the amount in
excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) that become exercisable in
that calendar year will be nonqualified stock options. In the event that the
Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder are amended after the Effective
Date of this Plan to provide for a different limit on the Fair Market Value of
Shares permitted to be subject to ISOs, such different limit will be
automatically incorporated herein and will apply to any options granted after
the effective date of such amendment.
6. NO OBLIGATION TO EMPLOY. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement, the grant of this Option shall in no way be construed so as to confer
on Optionee the rights to employment, affiliation or continued employment or
affiliation by the Company or a subsidiary thereof. Nothing in the Plan or
hereunder shall confer upon Optionee any right to employment or affiliation or
to continue in the employ, directorship or consultancy of the Company or a
Subsidiary thereof. Nothing in the Plan or hereunder shall confer upon Optionee
any right to interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or
a subsidiary thereof, which are hereby expressly reserved, to terminate or
discharge Optionee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause,
subject to applicable laws and the terms of any written employment agreement the
Optionee has entered into with the Company or subsidiary.
7. TRANSFERABILITY. This Option, and any interest therein, is not
transferable or assignable by the Optionee other than by will, the laws of
descent and distribution, or by an instrument to an inter vivos or testamentary
trust in which the Option is to be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the
trustor (settlor). During the lifetime of the Optionee, an Option will be
exercisable only by the Optionee and any elections with respect to an Option may
be made only by the Optionee.
8. ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES. In the event of a Company stock split,
reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination,
reclassification, subdivision, or similar change in the capital structure of
the Company without consideration, then each of the
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number of Shares reserved for issuance under this Option will be
proportionately adjusted, subject to any required action by the Board or the
shareholders of the Company and compliance with applicable securities laws.
Fractions of a Share will not be issued but will either be replaced by a cash
payment equal to the Fair Market Value of such fraction or will be rounded up
to the nearest whole Share, as determined by the Committee.
The grant of this Option pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any
way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications,
reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure, to merge or
consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its
business or assets.
9. CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.
(a) REORGANIZATIONS. In the event that the Company is a party
to a merger or other reorganization involving a Change in Control (as defined in
Section 19.1(a) of the Plan), the Option shall be subject to the agreement of
merger or reorganization. Such agreement may provide, without limitation, for
the assumption of outstanding options by the surviving corporation or its
parent, for their continuation by the Company (if the Company is a surviving
corporation), for payment of a cash settlement equal to the difference between
the amount to be paid for one Share under such agreement and the Exercise Price,
or for the acceleration of their exercisability followed by the cancellation of
options not exercised, in all cases without the Optionee's consent. Any
cancellation shall not occur until after such acceleration is effective and the
Optionee has been notified of such acceleration and have had reasonable
opportunity to exercise their options.
(b) OTHER TREATMENT OF AWARDS. Subject to any greater rights
granted to Participants under the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 9, in
the event of the occurrence of any transaction described in Paragraph 9(a), the
Option will be treated as provided in the applicable agreement or plan of
merger, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation, sale of assets or other
corporate transaction.
10. NO PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP. No Optionee will have any of
the rights of a shareholder with respect to any Shares represented by the
Option, until the Shares (and not simply an Option) are issued to the
Optionee. After Shares are issued to the Participant, the Participant will be
a shareholder and have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to such
Shares, including the right to vote and receive all dividends or other
distributions made or paid with respect to such Shares.
If such Shares are Restricted Stock, any new, additional or different
securities the Optionee may become entitled to receive with respect to such
Shares by virtue of a stock dividend, stock split or any other change in the
corporate or capital structure of the Company will be subject to the same
restrictions as the Restricted Stock. Furthermore, Participant will
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have no right to retain such stock dividends or stock distributions with
respect to Shares that are repurchased at the Optionee's original Purchase
Price.
11. TAX EFFECTS. THE FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF EMPLOYEE STOCK
OPTIONS ARE COMPLEX AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE. A TAXPAYER'S PARTICULAR SITUATION
MAY BE SUCH THAT SOME VARIATION OF THE GENERAL RULE IS APPLICABLE.
ACCORDINGLY, AN OPTIONEE (OR HIS GUARDIAN, ESTATE OR LEGATEE) SHOULD CONSULT
WITH HIS OWN TAX ADVISOR BEFORE EXERCISING ANY OPTION OR DISPOSING OF ANY
SHARES ACQUIRED UPON THE EXERCISE OF AN OPTION.
12. 2000 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN. This Agreement is subject to, and the
Company and Optionee agree to be bound by, all of the terms and conditions of
the Plan, as the same shall have been amended from time to time in accordance
with the terms thereof, provided that no such amendment shall deprive Optionee,
without Optionee's consent, of this Option or any of Optionee's rights
hereunder. Should a conflict exist between the Plan and this Agreement, the
terms of the Plan shall control. A copy of the Plan in its present form is
available for inspection during business hours by Optionee or other persons
entitled to exercise this Option at the Company's principal office. Optionee
hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or
interpretations of the Board of Directors or its duly appointed Committee upon
any questions arising under the Plan.
13. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW AND STOCK EXCHANGES. By accepting this
Option, Optionee represents and agrees that Optionee and their transferees by
will or the laws of descent and distribution that, unless a registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933 is in effect as to shares
purchased upon any exercise of this Option, (i) any and all shares so
purchased shall be acquired for Participant's personal account and not with a
view to or for sale in connection with any distribution, and (ii) each notice
of the exercise of any portion of this Option shall be accompanied by a
representation and warranty in writing, signed by the person entitled to
exercise the same, that the shares are being so acquired in good faith for
that person's own account and not with view to or for sale in connection with
any distribution.
No certificate or certificates for shares of stock purchased upon
exercise of this Option shall be issued and delivered prior to the admission of
such shares to listing on notice of issuance on any stock exchange or other
securities market on which shares of that class are then listed, nor unless and
until, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such securities may be issued
and delivered without causing the Company to be in violation of or incur any
liability under any federal, state or other securities law, any requirement of
any securities exchange listing agreement to which the Company may be a party,
or any other requirement of law or of any regulatory body having jurisdiction
over the Company.
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14. NOTICES. Any notice to be given to the Company shall be
addressed to the Company in care of its Secretary at its principal office,
and any notice to be given to Optionee shall be addressed to Optionee at the
address given beneath Optionee's signature hereto or at such other address as
Optionee may hereafter designate in writing to the Company. Any such notice
shall be deemed duly given when enclosed in a properly sealed envelope or
wrapper addressed as described above, registered or certified, and deposited,
postage and registry or certification fee prepaid, in a post office or branch
post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.
15. ARBITRATI0N. Any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or
relating to this Option which cannot be amicably settled including, but not
limited to, the suspension or termination of the rights granted to Optionee,
shall be settled by arbitration conducted in Xxxxxx County or such other
mutually agreed upon location. Such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance
with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association at
a time and place within the above-referenced location as selected by the
arbitrator(s).
16. ATTORNEYS FEES. In the event of any litigation, arbitration, or
other proceeding arising out of this Option the prevailing party shall be
entitled to an award of costs, including an award of reasonable attorneys' fees.
Any judgment, order, or award entered in any such proceeding shall designate a
specific sum as such an award of attorneys' fees and costs incurred.
17. LAWS APPLICABLE TO CONSTRUCTION. This Agreement has been executed
and delivered by the Company in California, and this Agreement shall be
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of California.
18. COUNTERPARTS. This Option may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which when taken together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.
CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT BANCORP
By: ________________________________
(_______________________)
Address: X.X. Xxx 000000
Xxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Optionee:
____________________________________
(_______________________)
Address: ____________________
____________________
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
I hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of this Agreement as well as a
copy of the Plan. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and
final all decisions or interpretations of the Board of Directors or its duly
appointed Committee upon any questions arising under the Plan.
Optionee:
____________________________________
(________________________)
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