EXHIBIT 10.5
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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THIS AGREEMENT is made effective as of the 1st day of January, 1997,
by and between MERCHANTS BANK, a state chartered Bank, and MERCHANTS
BANCSHARES, INC., a Delaware corporation, both with principal offices at 000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Vermont, (hereinafter collectively referred
to as "CORPORATIONS") and XXXXXX X. XXXXXX, residing at 00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000 (hereinafter referred to as "EMPLOYEE").
WITNESSETH
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In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties
agree as follows:
1. Employment: The CORPORATIONS hereby employ the EMPLOYEE, and the
EMPLOYEE hereby accepts employment.
2. Terms and Renewal: This Agreement shall be for a term beginning
on January 1, 1997, and terminating on December 31, 1999.
On December 31, 1998, the CORPORATIONS shall notify EMPLOYEE if
CORPORATIONS do not intend to renew the Agreement for a one-year term
following its original term. In the event that the CORPORATIONS do not
notify EMPLOYEE, the Agreement shall renew for a one-year term following its
original term. Similarly, on each anniversary date thereafter the
CORPORATIONS shall notify EMPLOYEE if they do not intend to renew the
Agreement, and upon a failure to do so the Agreement shall automatically
renew for an additional one-year term following the then applicable term.
3. Termination:
3.1 Discharge: The CORPORATIONS have the right to discharge
the EMPLOYEE at any time with or without just cause, as herein defined.
If the EMPLOYEE is discharged without just cause, the CORPORATIONS
agree to pay in one lump sum the EMPLOYEE's salary, plus pay or provide
as or when due all other normal benefits and Accrued Incentive Payments
as provided herein, for one year from the date of such discharge or the
balance of the time remaining under the terms of Agreement, whichever
is greater. "Accrued Incentive Payments" shall mean the payment of
incentive amounts, the precondition of which has occurred or will occur
at or upon the expiration of the relevant Fiscal Period to which such
incentive may be applicable. The EMPLOYEE may elect to receive the
payments over a five (5) year period, such payments to be in an amount
equal to the net present value of the lump sum payment if paid
immediately.
"Just cause" shall mean (a) misconduct connected with EMPLOYEE's
work, if and as defined in any written policy of the CORPORATIONS
covering all of the CORPORATIONS' officers or directors which is now,
or subsequently, in effect; or (b) the conviction of a felony which
precludes EMPLOYEE from performing all or an essential part of his
duties of employment, provided that, if such conviction is subsequently
reversed, rescinded or expunged, it shall not constitute just cause for
termination.
3.2 Disability: In cases of disability, either party may elect
to terminate the employment, subject to the following conditions: (i)
the EMPLOYEE shall receive the greater of: (a) the compensation and
other normal benefits plus Accrued Incentive Payments which the
EMPLOYEE would have received had he been terminated without just cause;
or (b) the benefits payable to, and actually paid to, the EMPLOYEE
arising out of any disability insurance policy covering the EMPLOYEE,
and paid for by the CORPORATIONS. If said policy benefits are paid
other than in a lump sum payment, the value of the benefits, for
purposes of this Agreement, shall be calculated by using a present
value of all payments to be made; and (ii) EMPLOYEE has suffered a
disability as defined below.
"Disability" shall mean mental or physical incapacity which shall
continue for six (6) months or longer after exhaustion of all sick leave
benefits, or a permanent mental or physical incapacity, either of which
makes the performance of substantially all of the EMPLOYEE's duties
impossible, as certified in writing by the EMPLOYEE's physician. The
CORPORATIONS, in the event of disagreement, may seek the opinion of a
qualified physician to determine if such disability exists; provided,
however, that such physician is Board Certified in the area of specialty
pertinent to the nature and extent of such disability. In the event of
further disagreement, the two physicians shall choose a third physician,
qualified as above, who shall make the determination, which shall be
binding upon the parties.
4. Resignation by the EMPLOYEE: The EMPLOYEE shall have the option
of terminating his employment with the CORPORATIONS provided he gives at
least 60 days advance written notice to the CORPORATIONS. The EMPLOYEE
shall not be deemed to have resigned and, instead, shall have been deemed
discharged by the CORPORATIONS, without just cause, if the EMPLOYEE resigns
as a result of: (i) immoral, unethical or illegal acts or omissions
committed by, or which reasonably appear will be committed by, any director,
officer, employee, agent, or independent contractors of the CORPORATIONS
(and the CORPORATIONS' Boards of Directors shall not act, after his
recommendation, to terminate the offending party(s) or to cease and desist
such offending activity); (ii) acts or omissions of any director, officer,
employee, agent, or independent contractors of the CORPORATIONS which could
reasonably subject the EMPLOYEE to personal liability from any Federal,
State or local government or agency, or any banking authority, including,
but not limited to, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Internal
Revenue Service, or the Securities and Exchange Commission; (iii)
fundamental disagreements over basic corporate philosophies and/or corporate
business plans.
5. Offices and Duties: The EMPLOYEE shall be appointed and/or
elected, and shall serve, as the President and Chief Executive Officer of
the CORPORATIONS and as a Director of Merchants Bank for the term of his
employment hereunder. The CORPORATIONS intend and shall use their best
efforts to ensure EMPLOYEE's retention as a Director of Merchants
Bancshares, Inc. at subsequent annual meetings of its shareholders. Should
the CORPORATIONS decide to alter the titles and/or positions, they must
provide the EMPLOYEE with an essentially equivalent or better position, with
equivalent or better salary and benefits.
The CORPORATIONS will also use their best efforts to secure the
Agreement of as many shareholders, if such are required, as are necessary to
authorize this Agreement and any contemporaneous agreements required to
perform the same on the part of the CORPORATIONS and to elect the EMPLOYEE
to the Board of Directors of each of the CORPORATIONS.
6. Efforts: The EMPLOYEE shall devote his full-time efforts and
energies to the business and affairs of the CORPORATIONS and shall use his
best efforts, skill and abilities to promote the CORPORATIONS' interests.
7. Evaluation: The EMPLOYEE shall be evaluated annually by the
Boards of the CORPORATIONS and shall receive a written copy of said
evaluation. Nothing herein shall allow the CORPORATIONS to reduce the
salary, incentive payments and other benefits provided for herein; nor shall
this provision be deemed to allow for the alteration of EMPLOYEE's duties
and authority otherwise set forth in this Agreement; provided, however, that
the performance of a condition within any regulatory order, memorandum of
understanding or requirement shall not be affected by this provision.
8. Salary and Increases: The CORPORATIONS shall pay the EMPLOYEE for
all services rendered an initial salary of $200,000.00 per annum, commencing
January 1, 1997, and payable on a bi-weekly basis. The annual salary will
be reviewed annually by the Board and may be increased but not decreased at
the discretion of the Board. The CORPORATIONS may also grant the EMPLOYEE
such other compensation, bonuses, benefits, etc., as they may deem proper
from time to time.
9. Annual Bonus: An annual bonus will be paid to the EMPLOYEE
provided the CORPORATIONS maintain a "CAMEL" rating of 2 or above, and the
CORPORATIONS achieve a target XXX, set annually by the CORPORATIONS Boards
of Directors' Compensation Committee, equal to or greater than the median
XXX of a defined group of bank holding companies and banks ("PEER GROUP").
The PEER GROUP will be comprised bank holding companies and independent
commercial banks located in the Northeast (New England, New York,
Pennsylvania and New Jersey), which have assets equal to at least 50% but
not more than 200% of the assets of Merchants Bancshares, Inc. If the
targets are met, the EMPLOYEE will receive a minimum bonus equal to 35% of
base salary for the performance year. The maximum bonus will not exceed 75%
of base salary.
For the first year of this Agreement the minimum bonus threshold shall
be the 65th percentile of the PEER GROUP. The maximum bonus threshold will
be the 90th percentile of the PEER GROUP. Bonus awards between 35% and 75%
will be interpolated (using linear progression).
10. Benefits: The CORPORATIONS shall provide the EMPLOYEE with all
fringe benefits (including but not limited to health, life, disability,
workers compensation insurance; vacation and sick pay; pension benefits)
offered to other employees of the CORPORATIONS in subordinate positions, but
shall provide EMPLOYEE with five (5) weeks per year of vacation.
11. Supplemental Pension: The EMPLOYEE will reach normal retirement
under the current pension plan at age 65. However, despite actual years of
service, assuming he is employed by the CORPORATIONS for the entire period,
he will have accumulated 18 years of service at age 65. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the CORPORATIONS will calculate the EMPLOYEE's benefits as if he
had accumulated twenty-five (25) years of service under the plan. If the
EMPLOYEE is not employed by the CORPORATIONS until age 65, then for each
year of service, the EMPLOYEE will be credited with 1.4 years of service for
the purpose of calculating his retirement benefits. This provision shall be
applicable only if and so long as the CORPORATIONS shall maintain a pension
plan.
If the CORPORATIONS shall elect to freeze or modify any existing
pension plan and shall enhance or modify any contributory pension plan
qualified under [SECTION]401(K) of the Internal Revenue Code, EMPLOYEE shall
participate in such replacement or modified plan.
12. Long Term Incentive/Stock option Plan: Each year, the EMPLOYEE
will receive stock options with a "value" equal to 50% of his salary. The
stock value is determined by calculating the "Black-Scholes" value. The
exercise price will be determined annually by the CORPORATIONS' Board of
Directors' Compensation Committee. It is intended that the Committee will
set the exercise price slightly above the then current market price for the
stock of Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Options are exercisable at any time after two (2) years from their
original issue date. The term of the options will expire on the earlier of
(a) ten years from the issue date, while EMPLOYEE remains employed by the
CORPORATIONS, or (b) if EMPLOYEE's employment is terminated, then twelve
months after termination of employment.
If the EMPLOYEE is terminated without just cause or due to his
disability, or in the event that any transaction occurs which results in a
change of control of either of the CORPORATIONS from that existing on the
date of this Agreement, the EMPLOYEE may exercise these options immediately
upon the occurrence of any such event or at any other time permitted in the
preceding sub-paragraph. In the event that there is a split of the stock of
Merchants Bancshares, Inc., EMPLOYEE's stock options and option price shall
be adjusted accordingly, so as to leave EMPLOYEE in the same relative
position as at the time of commencement of this Agreement with regard to the
issued and outstanding shares of Merchants Bancshares, Inc., on the date
such action is taken. In the event there is a public offering of the stock
of Merchants Bancshares, Inc. other than pursuant to a stock option or an
employee stock ownership plan, at any time before the options granted hereby
have been fully exercised, then the number of shares subject to the options
granted herein shall be increased so that the total number of shares
purchased and purchasable under these options as increased will bear the
same relationship to the fully-diluted capitalization of Merchants
Bancshares, Inc. immediately after giving effect to completion of the public
offering as the original number of shares purchasable under these option
does to the fully-diluted capitalization of Merchants Bancshares, Inc. at
the effective date hereof. The purchase price for additional shares covered
by these options as provided in the preceding sentence shall be the greater
of the purchase price provided for herein or the purchase price paid by
third parties purchasing stock in the public offering.
If the CORPORATIONS are unable to deliver the shares upon which the
EMPLOYEE seeks to exercise his options, for any reason, then the
CORPORATIONS shall pay to the EMPLOYEE, on the date of exercise, the
difference between the exercise price and the trading price of Merchants
Bancshares, Inc. shares on that day, as traded on the exchange on which said
shares are listed.
In the event that the EMPLOYEE shall become deceased during the period
in which the EMPLOYEE may exercise his stock options, as provided above,
then his Estate may exercise said options in the manner provided above;
provided, however, that said options are exercised within six (6) months
after EMPLOYEE'S demise.
13. Expenses: The EMPLOYEE shall be reimbursed for documented
business expense incurred or paid by the EMPLOYEE in connection with the
performance of his duties, in the manner currently required by corporate
policy.
14. Indemnification: The CORPORATIONS agree that, within the limits
set forth in the Vermont Business Corporations Law and Delaware General
Corporation Law, as applicable, they shall hold the EMPLOYEE harmless for
any actions taken by the EMPLOYEE in what he reasonably believes to be in
the CORPORATIONS' interests or for his omission to so act or for his
negligence in connection with such employment. This indemnity shall include
the EMPLOYEE's reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in defending
any such demands, claims, or actions. The EMPLOYEE shall have the sole
right to defend himself against any and all such demands, claims or actions,
using counsel of his choosing. The indemnity herein provided shall also
include, but in no way be limited to, claims of liability arising for or on
account of those acts or omissions of others described in Section 4 of this
Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing and except to the extent insurance
provides such indemnity, the CORPORATIONS shall have no obligation to hold
the EMPLOYEE harmless from (i) any liability he may have to any governmental
entity with respect to personal taxes, interest or penalties, unless that
liability resulted from a liability of the CORPORATIONS (i.e. corporate 941
taxes, interest and penalties, assessed against the EMPLOYEE through a 100%
assessment by the IRS); (ii) any claims arising out of, based upon or
attributable to the gaining in fact of any personal profit or advantage to
which the EMPLOYEE is not legally entitled; or (iii) any claim arising out
of, based upon or attributable to the committing of any criminal or
deliberately fraudulent act. Prior to receiving any purported personal
profit or advantage, EMPLOYEE is entitled to receive, at the CORPORATIONS'
expense, an opinion of counsel that he is legally entitled to receive it.
This Paragraph 14 shall not limit any immunity or indemnity provided
EMPLOYEE by law or by the Articles of Association or Bylaws of the
CORPORATIONS.
15. Binding Effect: This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the EMPLOYEE, his legal representatives, heirs, and
distributee(s), and upon the CORPORATIONS, their successors and assigns, and
also any subsidiary or affiliated corporation.
16. No Waiver: The waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement
shall not be deemed to constitute the waiver of any other term or condition.
17. Notices: All notices, elections hereunder and similar
communication(s) shall be in writing and shall be sufficient if addressed to
the EMPLOYEE at his address as shown above (or at any new address as he
shall advise the CORPORATIONS of in writing) and mailed by certified return
receipt with postage fully paid. All notices to the CORPORATIONS shall be
given to the presiding officer of their Boards of Directors.
18. Controlling Law and Attorneys' Fees: Notwithstanding the actual
place of execution, or the states of incorporation of the CORPORATIONS, this
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Vermont and the
parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction of the Courts of the State of
Vermont.
In the event of a breach of this Agreement, the non-breaching party
shall be entitled to recover its costs and attorneys' fees from the
breaching party.
19. Compliance with Law: Any and all provisions of this Agreement
shall be consistent and comply with applicable laws or regulations enacted
or promulgated both before and after the execution date of this Agreement,
and to the extent that any provision is inconsistent or does not comply with
applicable laws or regulations, that part which is inconsistent or does not
comply shall be modified to comply with the applicable law or regulation.
20. Prior Agreement Superseded: This Employment Agreement replaces
and supersedes an Amended Employment Agreement between the CORPORATIONS and
the EMPLOYEE dated effective as of October 31, 1994, with the following
exception: The EMPLOYEE shall maintain all rights to incentive payments
under paragraph 9 of such Amended Employment Agreement through June 30,
1997.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the CORPORATIONS have caused this Agreement to be
executed by directors or officers thereunto duly authorized, and the
EMPLOYEE has hereunto set his hand and seal, all as of the day and year
first above written.
IN PRESENCE OF: CORPORATIONS
MERCHANTS BANK
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx BY: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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MERCHANTS BANCSHARES, INC.
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx BY: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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EMPLOYEE
/s/ Xxxxx Xxx Dimes /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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XXXXXX X. XXXXXX
