EXHIBIT 10.44
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT by and between MicroFinancial Incorporated, a
Massachusetts corporation, and its subsidiaries (the "Company"), and ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (the "Executive"), dated as of November 21, 2002 (this "Agreement").
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement
dated as of September 26, 1997 (as amended from time to time, the "Original
Agreement") to assure that the Company would have the continued dedication of
the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change
of Control of the Company;
WHEREAS, in order to encourage the Executive's continued attention and
dedication to the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"),
has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders to provide the Executive with additional severance arrangements
whether or not a Change of Control of the Company occurs and to make other
amendments to the Original Agreement, subject to the terms set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused
the Company to enter into this Agreement which shall amend and supersede in its
entirety the Original Agreement (and any and all prior oral and written
agreements and understandings with respect to the Original Agreement) as
follows:
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY, AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain Definitions.
(a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during
the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of
Control occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a
Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's employment with the Company is
terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is
reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i)
was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to
effect the Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or
anticipation of the Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement
the "Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such
termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on third anniversary of the date of
such date; provided, however, that commencing on the first anniversary of the
date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each
annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal
Date"), the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to
terminate three (3) years from such Renewal Date, unless at least sixty (60)
days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to the Executive
that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.
2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a
"Change of Control" shall mean:
(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"), including an
acquisition pursuant to 11 U.S.C. Section 1129 et passim, of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act)
of 50% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting
Securities") or;
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute
the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board or are divested of possession by appointment of a trustee
pursuant to Chapter 7 or 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; provided,
however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof
whose election, or nomination for election by the Company'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; or
(c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company, or, in
the instance of proceedings for the Company pursuant to Chapter 7 or Chapter 11
of the United States Bankruptcy Code, approval by the bankruptcy judge, of a
reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case, unless, following such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, more than 60% of, respectively, the
then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
reorganization, merger or consolidation and the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were
the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation, of
the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities,
as the case may be; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders, or, in the instance of
proceedings for the Company pursuant to Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code, approval by the bankruptcy judge, of the Company of (i)
a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) the sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
3. Change of Control Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees
to continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to
remain in the employ of the Company, in accordance with the terms and provisions
of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending
(subject to the terms hereof) on the day following the first anniversary of such
date (the "Change of Control Employment Period"); provided, however, that the
Change of Control Employment Period shall be automatically extended upon
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its expiration for successive periods of one (1) month each, in full accordance
with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
4. Terms of Employment during Change of Control Employment
Period.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Change of Control Employment
Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at
least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those
held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive's services shall be performed
at the location where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the
Effective Date or any office which is the headquarters of the Company and is
less than 35 miles from such location.
(ii) During the Change of Control Employment
Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the
Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and
time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company
and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the
Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform
faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Change of Control
Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the
Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees,
(B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational
institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do
not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this
Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any
such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.
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(b) Compensation during Change of Control Employment
Period.
(i) Base Salary. During the Change of Control
Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual
Base Salary"), which shall be paid in equal installments on a monthly basis, at
least equal to twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable to
the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the
twelve-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date
occurs. During the Change of Control Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary
shall be reviewed at least annually and shall be increased at any time and from
time to time as shall be substantially consistent with increases in base salary
generally awarded in the ordinary course of business to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies. Any increase in Annual Base Salary
shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under
this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase
and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to
Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term
"affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled by, controlling or
under common control with the Company.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base
Salary, the Executive may be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the
Change of Control Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in
cash as determined in the discretion of the Company's President and Chief
Executive Officer consistent with the practices and procedures of the Company.
Any such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the fourth month of
the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual
Bonus.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans.
During the Change of Control Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled
to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices,
policies and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans,
practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with incentive
opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special incentive
opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable),
savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less
favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the
Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans,
practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 90-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to the
Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Change of
Control Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the
case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all
benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided
by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation,
medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life,
group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs)
to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies
and programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in
the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and
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programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive,
those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Change of Control
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable employment expenses incurred by the Executive
in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the
Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Change of
Control Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits in
accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of
the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the Change
of Control Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or
offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive
personal secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable
of the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at
any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(viii) Vacation. During the Change of Control
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in
accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of
the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any
time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if
more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
5. Termination of Employment (During the Change of Control
Employment Period)
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall
terminate automatically upon the Executive's death if during the Change of
Control Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Change of Control Employment
Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give
to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 13(b) of this
Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such
event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on
the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability
Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the
Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's
duties. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of
the Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis
for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or
physical illness which is determined to be
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total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and
acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative (such
agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment during the Change of Control Employment Period for Cause. For
purposes of this Agreement (other than Section 7) "Cause" shall mean (i) a
material breach by the Executive of the Executive's obligations under Section
4(a) of this Agreement (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or
mental illness) which is demonstrably willful and deliberate on the Executive's
part, which is committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such
breach is in the best interests of the Company and which is not remedied in a
reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from the Company
specifying such breach or (ii) the conviction of the Executive of a felony
involving moral turpitude.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be
terminated during the Change of Control Employment Period by the Executive for
Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any
duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's position (including
status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or
responsibilities or any other action by which results in a diminution in such
position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an
isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which
is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with
the provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be
based at any office or location other than that described in Section 4(a)(i)(B)
of this Agreement;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of
the Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this
Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with
and satisfy Section 12(c) of this Agreement, provided that such successor has
received at least ten days prior written notice from the Company or the
Executive of the requirements of Section 12(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good Reason"
made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company
for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice
of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b)
of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination"
means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific
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termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent
applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed
to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below)
is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date
(which date shall be not more than 15 days after the giving of such notice). The
failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of
Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good
Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company
hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or
circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i)
if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be
the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case
may be.
6. Obligation of the Company upon Termination (During the Change
of Control Employment Period).
(a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or
Disability. If, during the Change of Control Employment Period, the Company
shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for Cause, death or
Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a
lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of
the following amounts: the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (2)
any compensation or bonus previously deferred (together with any accrued
interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the
extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1) and
(2) of this Section 6(a)(i) shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Change of
Control Severance Amount"); and
(ii) for a minimum period that is the greater of
the period commencing on the Date of Termination through (x) the next applicable
Renewal Date following the Date of Termination or (y) the six month period
following the Date of Termination, or such longer period as any plan, program,
practice or policy may provide, the Company shall continue benefits to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those which would have
been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and
policies described in Section 4(b)(v) of this Agreement if the Executive's
employment had not been terminated in accordance with the most favorable plans,
practices, programs or policies of the Company and its affiliated companies as
in effect and applicable generally to other peer executives and their families
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and
their families, provided, however, that if the Executive
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becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or
other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and
other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided
under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility (such
continuation of such benefits for the applicable period herein set forth shall
be hereinafter referred to as "Welfare Benefit Continuation"). For purposes of
determining eligibility of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such
plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to
have remained employed until the end of the Change of Control Employment Period
and to have retired on the last day of such period; and
(iii) for a minimum period that is the greater of
the period commencing on the Date of Termination through (x) the next applicable
Renewal Date following the Date of Termination or (y) the six month period
following the Date of Termination, to the extent not theretofore paid or
provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive and/or the
Executive's family any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided
or which the Executive and/or the Executive's family is eligible to receive
pursuant to this Agreement and under any plan, program, policy or practice or
contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect
and applicable generally to other peer executives and their families during the
90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as in effect generally thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families (such
other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other
Benefits").
(b) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's death during the Change of Control Employment Period,
this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's
legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for (i) payment of the
Change of Control Severance Amount (which shall be paid to the Executive's
estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of
the Date of Termination) and the timely payment or provision of the Welfare
Benefit Continuation and Other Benefits (excluding, in each case, Death Benefits
(as defined below)) and (ii) payment to the Executive's estate or beneficiary,
as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination
of an amount equal to the present value (determined as provided in Section
280G(d)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") of any
cash amount to be received by the Executive or the Executive's family as a death
benefit pursuant to the terms of any plan, policy or arrangement of the Company
and its affiliated companies, but not including any proceeds of life insurance
covering the Executive to the extent paid for directly or on a contributory
basis by the Executive (which shall be paid in any event as an Other Benefit)
(the benefits included in this clause (ii) shall be hereinafter referred to as
the "Death Benefits").
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability during the Change of Control
Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligation to
the Executive, other than for (i) payment of Change of Control Severance Amount
(which shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of
the Date of Termination) and the timely payment or provision of the Welfare
Benefit Continuation and Other Benefits (excluding, in each case, Disability
Benefits (as defined below)) and (ii) payment to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination of an amount equal to the present
value (determined as provided in Section
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280G(d)(4) of the Code) of any cash amount to be received by the Executive as a
disability benefit pursuant to the terms of any plan, policy or arrangement of
the Company and its affiliated companies, but not including any proceeds of
disability insurance covering the Executive to the extent paid for directly or
on a contributory basis by the Executive (which shall be paid in any event as an
Other Benefit) (the benefits included in this clause (ii) shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Disability Benefits").
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's
employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Change of Control Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive Annual Base Salary
through the Date of Termination plus the amount of any compensation previously
deferred by the Executive, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid. If the
Executive terminates employment during the Change of Control Employment Period,
excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without
further obligations to the Executive, other than the payment of the Executive's
Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination and any compensation
previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or
earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay (in each case to be paid to the
Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination).
7. Terms of Employment; Obligation of the Company upon
Termination of Employment (Prior to the Effective Date).
(a) Terms of Employment; Obligation of the Company upon
Termination of Employment. The Executive and the Company acknowledge that the
employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will" and, prior to the
Effective Date, may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any
time. Except as specifically provided in Sections 7(b), (c) and (d) of this
Agreement, the terms of Executive's employment and the continuing participation
of Executive in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or
any of its affiliated companies prior to the Effective Date or upon Executive's
termination of employment prior to the Effective Date (either by Executive or
the Company) shall be governed by the then existing plan, program, policy or
practice of the Company or any of its affiliated companies.
(b) Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, at any
time prior to the Effective Date, the Company shall terminate the Executive's
employment other than for Cause (defined below), death or Disability, the
Company shall pay to the Executive (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary
payable over 12 months at the same time that the Company pays other peer
executives of the Company generally, and (2) any compensation or bonus
previously deferred (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and
any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the
sum of the amounts described in clauses (1) and (2) of this Section 7(a)(i)
shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Severance Amount");
For purposes of Section 7, "Cause" shall mean shall mean (i) a
material breach by the Executive of the Executive's duties, responsibilities
held, exercised and assigned by the Company to the Executive (other than as a
result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which is demonstrably
willful and deliberate on the Executive's part, which is committed in bad
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faith or without reasonable belief that such breach is in the best interests of
the Company and which is not remedied in a reasonable period of time after
receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such breach or (ii) the
conviction of the Executive of a felony involving moral turpitude.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability prior to the Effective Date,
this Agreement shall terminate without further obligation to the Executive,
other than the payment by the Company to Executive of an amount equal to (i) the
Severance Amount minus (ii) the amount Executive would be entitled to receive as
a disability benefit under the then existing plan, program, policy or practice
of the Company or any of its affiliated companies (which shall be paid to the
Executive in accordance with the then existing, plan, program, policy or
practice of the Company or any of its affiliated companies).
8. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Except as provided in Sections
6(a)(ii), 6(b), 6(c), 7(b) or 7(c) of this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement
shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any
plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything
herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any
contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies.
Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled
to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or
agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent
to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan,
policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly
modified by this Agreement.
9. Full Settlement; Resolution of Disputes.
(a) The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as
provided in Section 6(a)(ii) of this Agreement, such amounts shall not be
reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company
agrees to pay promptly as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all
legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of
any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or
others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision
of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result
of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this
Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable
Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.
(b) If there shall be any dispute between the Company and
the Executive (i) in the event of any termination of the Executive's employment
by the Company, whether such termination was for Cause, or (ii) in the event of
any termination of employment by the Executive, whether Good Reason existed,
then, unless and until there is a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of
competent jurisdiction declaring that such termination was for Cause or
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that the determination by the Executive of the existence of Good Reason was not
made in good faith, the Company shall pay all amounts, and provide all benefits,
to the Executive and/or the Executive's family or other beneficiaries, as the
case may be, that the Company would be required to pay or provide pursuant to
Section 6(a) of this Agreement as though such termination were by the Company
without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to pay any disputed amounts pursuant to this
paragraph except upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Executive
to repay all such amounts to which the Executive is ultimately adjudged by such
court not to be entitled.
10. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or
distribution by the Company 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, but determined without regard to any additional payments
required under this Section 10) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by
the Executive 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 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 taxes (and any
interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon
the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment
equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 10(c) of this
Agreement, all determinations required to be made under this Section 10,
including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such
Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such
determination, shall be made by Deloitte & Touche, LLP (the "Accounting Firm")
which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the
Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive
that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the
Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or
auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the
Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make
the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be
referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the
Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as
determined pursuant to this Section 10, shall be paid by the Company to the
Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable
by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a written opinion that
failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executive's applicable federal income
tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar
penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the
Company 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 Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent
with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the
Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 10(c) of this Agreement
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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 Company to or
for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of
any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given
as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive
is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company 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 30-day period
following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter
period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim
is due). If the Company 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 Company any information reasonably
requested by the Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with
contesting such claim as the Company 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 Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in
order effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any
proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company 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
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of
this Section 10(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any
and all administrative appeals, 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 ▇▇▇ for a refund or contest the
claim in any 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 Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and ▇▇▇ for a refund, the Company 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 income tax
(including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to
such 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
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limited solely to such contested amount Furthermore, the Company'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 an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 10(c) of this Agreement, the
Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the
Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of
Section 10(c) of this Agreement) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such
refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes
applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 10(c) of this Agreement, a
determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of 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.
11. Confidential Information; Non-Compete. The Executive shall
hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or
confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of
its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been
obtained by the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or
any of its affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public
knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the
Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written
consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process,
communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other
than the Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted
violation of the provisions of this Section 11 constitute a basis for deferring
or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this
Agreement. For a period of twelve months from and after the Date of Termination,
the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, be or become employed or
associated with any microticket leasing business in the United States which is
in competition with the Company.
12. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and
without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the
Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's
legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such
- 13 -
succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the
Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets
as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.
13. Bankruptcy Proceedings. The Company agrees that within three
(3) days of the entry of an order for relief with respect to the Company
pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code, it will seek approval of the bankruptcy court having
jurisdiction over its affairs for the assumption of this Agreement pursuant to
the provisions of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Bankruptcy Code.
14. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without reference
to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part
of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may
not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement amends and supersedes in its entirety
all prior agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, with respect
to the provisions of the Original Agreement.
(c) All notices and other communications hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
c/o MicroFinancial Incorporated
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
If to the Company:
MicroFinancial Incorporated
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, President and Chief Executive
Officer
- 14 -
With a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇, LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(d) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.
(e) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable
under this Agreement such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to
be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(f) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist
upon strict compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of this
Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may
have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to
terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this
Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any
other provision or right of this Agreement.
(g) This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
constitute one instrument. Counterparts of this Agreement (or applicable
signature pages hereof) that are manually signed and delivered by facsimile
transmission shall be deemed to constitute signed original counterparts hereof
and shall bind the parties signing and delivering in such manner.
- 15 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has
caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the
day and year first above written.
___________________________________
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
MicroFinancial Incorporated
By:________________________________
Its:____________________________
