EX-10.7
(Exhibit 10.7)
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
the 15th day of March, 2000, between First Tier Bank & Trust ("Employer"), a
bank chartered under the laws of New York having its principal office at 000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 and Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx ("Executive"), an
individual residing at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000.
WHEREAS, Employer wishes to employ Executive in an executive capacity, as its
President, and Executive wishes to accept such employment on the terms and
conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, benefits and covenants
herein contained, Employer and Executive hereby agree as follows:
1. Effective Date; Term.
1.1 Effective Date. This Agreement shall be effective commencing on the date
hereof (the "Effective Date").
1.2 Initial Term. Employer employs Executive, and Executive accepts such
employment, for a three (3) year period commencing on the Effective Date (the
"Initial Term").
1.3 Renewal Term. This Agreement will automatically renew for successive three
year terms (each a "Renewal Term") upon the expiration of the Initial Term or a
subsequent Renewal Term unless either party provides written notice to the other
at least ninety (90) days before the end of the Initial Term or Renewal Term
that such party does not intend to renew this Agreement upon the expiration
thereof.
1.4 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the expiration of the
Initial Term or any Renewal Term as provided in Section 4 of this Agreement.
2. Scope of Employment.
2.1 Position and Duties. During the term of this Agreement, Employer shall
employ Executive to serve as the President of Employer. In such capacity,
Executive shall perform such executive, administrative and operational duties as
may be assigned to Executive from time to time by the Board of Directors of
Employer.
2.2 Exclusive Efforts. Executive agrees to serve Employer faithfully and to the
best of Executive's ability and to devote Executive's entire business time,
attention and efforts to the interests and business of Employer, its
subsidiaries and their affiliates.
2.3 Compliance with Laws. Executive agrees at all times to strictly adhere to
and perform all his duties in accordance with applicable laws, rules and
regulations and the written policies and procedures of Employer in effect from
time to time.
3. Compensation, Benefits and Expenses.
3.1 Base Salary. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, during the
period from the Effective Date through December 31, 1999 (the "First Year")
Employer shall pay to Executive a base salary at a rate of $109,000 per year
(the "Base Salary"). The Base Salary may be increased, in the sole discretion of
Employer,
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during the second and third years of the terms of this Agreement, but may not be
decreased. Employer shall pay the Base Salary to Executive in equal installments
pursuant to Employer's standard payroll policies and Executive's salary shall be
subject to such withholding or deductions as may be mutually agreed between
Employer and Executive or required by law.
3.2 Bonus. In addition to the salary set forth in Section 3.1, Executive may
receive bonuses as follows:
3.2.1 If the Employer meets or exceeds its budget for revenue and profit,
the Executive is eligible for a bonus which shall be determined by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Employer.
3.2.3 The bonus earned by Executive during the term of this Agreement, if
any, shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum promptly after the
Employer's audited annual financial results are publicly disclosed.
3.2.4 Employer does not guarantee that any bonus will be awarded or paid
to Executive. Payment of any bonus shall be subject to such withholding or
deductions as may be mutually agreed between Employer and Executive or
required by law.
3.3 Incentive Stock Plan Benefits. During the period of his employment,
Executive shall be entitled to receive grants of options under any incentive
stock plan operated by Financial Institutions, Inc. ("FII") for its employees
and those of its subsidiaries, in such amounts as may be determined by the
appropriate Committee of the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors of
Employer, or by the FII Compensation Committee.
3.4 Fringe Benefits. During the period of his employment, Executive shall be
entitled to participate in FII's plans for the welfare and benefit of its
employees to the extent Executive satisfies the requirements provided in such
plans, health and other qualifications for participation. In the event Executive
becomes a "Retired Early Employee" as defined in subparagraph 4.4.1 and 4.4.2,
or is terminated for reasons other than those set forth in subparagraphs 4.1.3,
4.1.4, 4.1.6 or 4.1.7 health insurance and dental benefits will be continued as
if Executive continued to remain an employee for the remaining term of this
Agreement or until Executive obtains a position offering comparable benefits,
whichever occurs first.
3.5 Vacation and Holidays. During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall
accrue paid vacation in accordance with Employer's policies of four (4) weeks
per year. Executive shall be entitled to take accrued vacation days and paid
holidays in accordance with Employer's policies applicable to its employees
generally. Executive may not carry forward vacation days from year to year.
3.6 Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, Employer authorizes Executive
to incur reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business expenses in the course
of performing his duties and rendering services hereunder in accordance with
Employer's policies with respect thereto, and Employer shall reimburse Executive
for all such expenses, provided (i) such expenses and the purpose for which they
were incurred, are in accordance with Employer's policies, and (ii) Executive
timely submits to Employer expense reports and substantiation of the expenses in
accordance with Employer's policies.
3.7 Country Club Dues and Automobile Expenses. During the term of this
Agreement, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, Employer shall reimburse
Executive for monthly membership dues at a country club of Executive's choosing,
and shall provide Executive with use of a suitable automobile.
4. Termination.
4.1 Termination. Executive's Employment by Employer shall terminate at the
expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term provided timely notice is
given
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as provided in Section 1.3 and shall terminate prior to the expiration of the
then current term on the earlier of:
4.1.1 the death of Executive;
4.1.2 the date on which Executive is (i) determined to be "permanently
disabled" as defined under the disability insurance policy covering
Executive, or (ii) if Executive is not covered by any such disability
policy, Executive is determined to be "totally disabled" by the Board of
Directors of Employer based upon the advice of a board certified physician
reasonably acceptable to Employer and Executive or his legal
representative, which may include a determination that Executive is
unable, because of physical or mental illness or incapacity or otherwise,
to fulfill his duties under this Agreement for six consecutive months or
appears unable to perform such duties for an indefinite period of time;
4.1.3 the commission by Executive of (i) a felony conviction which is
final and non-appealable, (ii) a breach of fiduciary duty, (iii) a
material act of dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation, or (iv) any act of
moral turpitude which the Board of Directors determines has or may be
reasonably expected to have a material detrimental impact on Employer's
business or operations or prevent, because of its demonstrated or
demonstrable effect on employees, regulatory agencies or customers,
Executive from effectively performing his executive and other duties under
this Agreement;
4.1.4 Executive neglects to satisfactorily perform the duties which
Executive is required to perform under this Agreement or performs such
duties other than in good faith, as determined by the Board of Directors.
The Board will provide a written notice to the Executive, specifying the
unsatisfactory performance and suggest what must be done to improve and
maintain such performance. The written notice will also specify the time
period (considered probationary period) given the Executive to correct
such conduct.
4.1.5 the termination of Executive's employment by Employer during the
term of this Agreement for any reason without cause other than pursuant to
Sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3 or 4.1.4;
4.1.6 Executive's resignation or retirement; or
4.1.7 the mutual consent to such termination in writing by Executive and
Employer.
4.2 Time of Termination. Executive's employment with Employer shall terminate
immediately upon Executive's death, upon written notice of termination from
Employer or Executive upon the occurrence of an event specified in Sections
4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.1.5 or 4.1.6, upon the expiration of the cure period specified
in Section 4.1.4, upon the execution of a writing terminating Executive's
employment pursuant to Section 4.1.7, or upon expiration of the Initial Term or
a Renewal Term if timely notice is given pursuant to Section 1.3 (as applicable,
the "Termination Date"). Employer's obligations under this Agreement shall
terminate upon such termination of employment without any further action by the
parties except to the extent specifically provided herein.
4.3 Effect of Termination of Employment. Following the Termination Date:
4.3.1 Executive shall return all property of Employer as provided in
Section 6 of this Agreement;
4.3.2 Executive's salary shall cease to accrue;
4.3.3 subject to Section 4.4, the Board of Directors shall determine an
appropriate bonus to pay to Executive as his bonus or other incentive
compensation for the period through the Termination Date computed
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consistently with the manner in which Executive's bonus or incentive
compensation would have been determined for such period if Executive's
employment had not terminated;
4.3.4 Executive's participation in FII's benefit plans shall cease except
as required by law, the terms of the plan(s) or as provided in
subparagraph 3.4 of this Agreement;
4.3.5 Executive shall cease to accrue vacation days and shall be paid for
unused vacation time accrued since the beginning of the then current
Initial or Renewal Term in accordance with Employer's policies applicable
to employees generally; and
4.3.6 Executive shall submit any claims for reimbursement of business
expenses incurred in accordance with Section 3.5 within the time period
required under Employer's policies generally or Employer will not be
obligated to reimburse such expenses.
4.3.7 If this Agreement is terminated prior to the expiration of the
Initial Term or any Renewal Term as provided in Section 4 of this
Agreement, the Employer shall have no further liability to Executive
hereunder, except as explicitly stated in this Agreement, other than for
earned but unpaid compensation and those benefits (accrued but unpaid) to
which Executive is entitled under this Agreement through the date of
termination, provided, however, that in the event Executive becomes a
"Retired Early Employee" as defined in subparagraph 4.4.1 or is terminated
for reasons other than those set forth in subparagraphs 4.1.1, 4.1.2,
4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.6 or 4.1.7, health insurance and dental benefits to
Executive will be continued as if Executive continued to remain an
employee for the remaining term of this Agreement or until Executive
obtains another position offering comparable benefits, whichever occurs
first.
4.3.8 If, during the term of this Agreement, the Executive is terminated
for reasons other than those set forth in subparagraphs 4.1.1, 4.1.2,
4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.6 or 4.1.7, Employer shall, during the one year period
after the Termination Date, make equal monthly payments or a single lump
sum payment to the Executive (which shall not be deemed base annual salary
payments) in an amount such that the present value of all such payments,
determined as of the Termination Date, equals the sum of (a) the Base
Salary Amount, and (b) the annual incentive compensation paid by Employer
to Executive for the most recent tax year ending before the date on which
the termination occurred. It shall be at the discretion of the
Compensation Committee, as to whether the payment is made as a single lump
sum payment or equal monthly payments.
4.4. Change of Control and Change of Authority
4.4.1 Retired Early Employee. If a Change of Control and Change of
Authority, as such terms are defined in subparagraph 4.4.7 below, occurs
during the term of the Executive's employment under this Employment
Agreement, either the Executive, on the one hand, or Employer, on the
other, may elect by written notice, given to the other party or parties,
at any time within twelve (12) months after such Change of Control and
Change of Authority, to terminate the employment of the Executive by
Employer, whereupon the Executive will become a "Retired Early Employee,"
and will be entitled to receive such payments as are provided hereafter in
this Section 4.4. Such election and the termination of the Executive's
employment shall become effective on the first day of the second calendar
month commencing after delivery of the notice or on such earlier date as
the Executive in his sole discretion may specify (the "Effective Date").
4.4.2 Cash Payments. If the Executive should become a Retired Early
Employee hereunder, Employer shall, during the period commencing on the
Effective Date and ending two years thereafter (the "Pay-Out Period"),
make equal monthly payments or a single lump sum payment to the Executive
(which shall not be deemed base annual salary payments) in an amount such
that the
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present value of all such payments, determined as of the Effective Date,
equals the sum of two times the Base Salary Amount, as such term is
defined in subparagraph 4.4.7 below, plus the average of the annual
incentive compensation paid by Employer to Executive, as determined over
the most recent two (2) tax years ending before the date on which the
Change of Control and Change of Authority occurred. It shall be at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee, as to whether the payment is
made as a single lump sum payment or equal monthly payments. The
payment(s) provided for in subparagraph 4.3.8 do not apply to Retired
Early Employees who receive cash payment(s) pursuant to this subparagraph.
If at any time during the Pay-Out Period the Compensation Committee of the
Board in its sole discretion shall determine, upon application of the
Retired Early Employee supported by substantial evidence, that the Retired
Early Employee is then under a severe financial hardship resulting from
(i) a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the Retired Early
Employee or any of his dependents (as defined in section 152(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code), (ii) loss of the Retired Early Employee's property
due to casualty, or (iii) other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable
circumstance arising as a result of events beyond the control of the
Retired Early Employee, Employer shall make available to the Retired Early
Employee, in one (1) lump sum, an amount up to but not greater than the
present value of all monthly payments remaining to be paid to him in the
Pay-Out Period, calculated as of the date of such determination by the
Compensation Committee of the Board, for the purpose of relieving such
severe financial hardship to the extent the same has not been or may not
be relieved by (xi) reimbursement or compensation by insurance or
otherwise, (xii) liquidation of the Retired Early Employee's assets (to
the extent such liquidation would not itself cause severe financial
hardship), or (xiii) distributions from other benefit plans. If (a) the
lump sum amount thus made available is less than (b) the present value of
all such remaining monthly payments, Employer shall continue to pay to the
Retired Early Employee monthly payments for the duration of the Pay-Out
Period, but from such date forward such monthly payments will be in a
reduced amount such that the present value of all such reduced payments
will equal the difference between (b) and (a), above. The Retired Early
Employee may elect to waive any or all payments due him under this
subparagraph.
4.4.3 Acceleration of Stock Options. All options and other rights that
Executive may hold to purchase or otherwise acquire Common Stock of FII
shall immediately become exercisable in full for the total number of
shares that are or might become purchasable thereunder, in each case
without further condition or limitation except the giving of notice of
exercise and the payment of the purchase price thereunder (but without
amendment of the plan under which they were issued). At his discretion,
Executive may elect to surrender to Employer his rights in any such
options and rights held by him and, upon that surrender, Employer shall
pay him an amount in cash equal to the aggregate spread between the
exercise prices of all those options and rights and the value of the
Common Stock purchasable thereunder (or of any other security into which
the Common Stock has been exchanged or converted) as of the date of the
termination of employment, the value to be determined by the reported last
sale price of the Common Stock or that other security (or the mean between
the reported last bid and asked prices) on that date on NASDAQ (or, if it
is not NASDAQ, on whatever may then be the principal exchange or quotation
system on which the Employer's Common Stock or that other security is
traded at that time).
4.4.4 Life Insurance Policies. Employer shall repay any policy loans
previously taken on the Employer's insurance policies on Executive's life
(provided that the directors of Employer were given written notice
promptly after the making of any such loans which were made while
Executive was the president and chief executive officer of Employer), and
then shall transfer to Executive any and all of its right, title, and
interest in and to all Employer life insurance policies on Executive's
life (and upon that transfer, Executive shall be deemed to have released
Employer from any and all obligations it then owes to him to maintain and
pay premiums on those
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policies, all other provisions of any agreements under which those
policies were agreed to be maintained, however, to remain in effect).
4.4.5 Death of Retired Early Employee. If the Retired Early Employee dies
before receiving all monthly payments payable to him under subparagraph
4.4(b), above, Employer shall pay to the Retired Early Employee's estate,
one (1) lump sum payment in an amount equal to the present value of all
such remaining unpaid monthly payments, determined as of the date of death
of the Retired Early Employee.
4.4.6 Indemnification of Executive. In the event a Change of Control and
Change of Authority occurs, Employer shall indemnify Executive for all
reasonable legal fees and expenses subsequently incurred by Executive
through legal counsel approved in advance by Employer in seeking to obtain
or enforce any right or benefit provided under this Employment Agreement,
including but not limited to the rights and benefits provided under this
Section 4.4 and whether or not Executive has become a Retired Early
Employee hereunder, provided, however, that such right to indemnification
will not apply if and to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction
shall determine that any such fees and expenses have been incurred as a
result of Executive's bad faith or willful misconduct. Indemnification
payments payable hereunder by Employer shall be made not later than thirty
(30) days after a request for payment has been received from Executive
with such evidence of indemnifiable fees and expenses as Employer may
reasonably request.
4.4.7 Definitions.
(i) The "Base Salary Amount" for purpose of this Paragraph 4.4 shall
equal the annual compensation payable by Employer to Executive and
includable by Executive in gross income for the most recent year ending
before the date on which the Change of Control and Change of Authority
occurred.
(ii) A "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if
(A) any individual corporation (other than FII),
partnership, trust, association, pool, syndicate, or any other
entity or any group of persons acting in concert becomes the
beneficial owner, as that concept is defined in Rule 13d-3
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as the result of any one
or more securities transactions (including gifts and stock
repurchases but excluding transactions described in
subdivision (B), following), of securities of FII possessing
twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting power for the
election of directors of suchentity,
(B) there shall be consummated any consolidation, merger
or stock-for-stock exchange involving FII or the securities of
FII in which the holders of voting securities of FII
immediately prior to such consummation own, as a group,
immediately after such consummation, voting securities of FII
(or, if FII does not survive such transaction voting
securities of the corporation surviving such transaction)
having less than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power
in an election of directors of FII (or such other surviving
corporation), excluding securities received by any members of
such group which represent disproportionate percentage
increases in their shareholdings vis-a-vis the other members
of such group,
(C) "approved directors" shall constitute less than a
majority of the entire Board of Directors, with "approved
directors" defined to mean the members of the Board of
Directors of Employer as of the date of this Agreement and any
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subsequently elected members who shall be nominated or
approved by a majority of the approved directors on the Board
prior to such election, or
(D) there shall be consummated any sale, lease, exchange
or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, excluding any transaction described in
subdivision (B), above), of all, or substantially all, of the
assets of FII to a party which is not controlled by or under
common control with FII.
(iii) A "Change of Authority" shall be deemed to have occurred if
upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, Executive elects to
voluntarily terminate his employment following any demotion, loss of
title, or office, reduction in his annual compensation or benefits, or
relocation of his principal place of employment by more than 25 miles from
its location immediately prior to the Change in Control; provided,
however, that Executive may consent in writing to any such demotion, loss,
reduction or relocation.
5. Confidentiality; Inventions.
5.1 Confidential Information. Executive has and will have access to and
participate in the development of or be acquainted with confidential or
proprietary information and trade secrets related to the business of Employer,
its subsidiaries and any affiliates (collectively, the "Companies"), including
but not limited to (i) business plans, software programs, operating plans,
marketing plans, financial reports, operating data, budgets, wage and salary
rates, pricing strategies and information, terms of agreements with suppliers or
customers and others, customer lists, reports, correspondence, tapes, disks,
tangible property and specifications owned by or used in the Companies'
businesses; (ii) operating strengths and weaknesses of the Companies' officers,
directors, employees, agents, suppliers and customers, and/or (iii) information
pertaining to future developments such as, but not limited to, research and
development, software development or enhancement, future marketing plans or
ideas, and plans or ideas for new services or products, (iv) all information
which is learned or developed by Executive in the course and performance of his
duties under this Employment Agreement, including without limitation, reports,
information and data relating to the Employer's acquisition strategies, and (v)
other tangible and intangible property which is used in the business and
operations of the Companies but not made publicly available ((i) through (v)
are, collectively, (the "Confidential Information").
5.2 Treatment of Confidential Information; Confidentiality Agreements. Executive
shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose, use or make known for his or
another's benefit any Confidential Information of the Companies or use such
Confidential Information in any way except in the best interests of the
Companies in the performance of Executive's duties under this Agreement. In
addition, to the extent that Employer has entered into a confidentiality
agreement with any other person or entity Executive agrees to comply with the
terms of such confidentiality agreement and to be subject to the restrictions
and limitations imposed by such confidentiality agreements as if he was a party
thereto.
5.3 Inventions. Executive shall promptly disclose both orally and in
writing to Employer all discoveries, ideas, software, developments, discoveries,
designs, improvements, innovations and inventions (collectively referred to
herein as "Inventions"), whether patentable or not, either relating to the
existing or contemplated business, products, services, plans, processes, or
procedures of Employer, or suggested by or resulting from Executive's work at
Employer, or resulting wholly or in part from the use of Employer's time,
material, facilities or ideas, which Executive made or conceived or may make or
conceive, whether or not during working hours, alone or with others, at any time
during the term of this Agreement or within one year thereafter, and Executive
agrees that all such inventions shall be the exclusive property of the Employer.
5.4 Assignment of Inventions. Executive hereby assigns to Employer all his
rights and interests in and to all such inventions and all patents, copyrights,
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trademarks or other types of intellectual property protection which may be
obtained on them, in this and all foreign countries. At Employer's expense, but
without charge to it, Executive agrees to execute, acknowledge and deliver to
Employer any specific assignments to any such inventions or other relevant
documents and to take any such further action as may be considered necessary by
Employer at any time to obtain or defend letters patent in any and all
countries, to obtain documents relating to registration, ownership or transfer
of copyrights, to vest title in such inventions in Employer or its assigns, or
to obtain for Employer any other legal protection for such inventions.
5.5 Survival of Obligations. The obligations of Executive under this Section 5
shall survive the termination of Executive's employment and the expiration or
termination of this Agreement.
6. Return of Employer's Property. Immediately upon termination of
Executive's employment with Employer, Executive shall deliver to Employer all
copies of data, information and knowledge, including, without limitation, all
notes, reference materials, sketches, diagrams, reproductions, memoranda,
documentation and records incorporating or reflecting any Confidential
Information, documents, correspondence, notebooks, reports, computer programs,
names of full-time and part-time employees and consultants, and all other
materials and copies thereof (including computer disks and other electronic
media) relating in any way to the business of Employer in any way obtained by
Executive during the period of his employment with Employer, along with any
automobile provided by Employer for Executive's use (the "Employer's Property").
The Employer's Property shall belong exclusively to the Employer and shall be
delivered to the Employer immediately upon termination of Executive's employment
with the Employer, for whatever reason said termination occurs. The obligations
of Executive under this Section 6 shall survive the termination of Executive's
employment and the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
7. Non-competition and Non-solicitation.
7.1 Non-competition. During the term of this Agreement, and for the
greater period of eighteen (18) months, or during the period for which Executive
is entitled to receive compensation after the termination of this Agreement
pursuant to subparagraphs 4.3.8 or 4.4.2, regardless of whether such
compensation is paid in a lump sum rather than monthly payments, employee shall
not engage, anywhere within New York State, whether directly or indirectly, as
principal, owner, officer, director, agent, employee, consultant or partner, in
the management of a bank holding company, commercial bank, savings bank, credit
union or any other financial services provider that competes with FII, its
subsidiaries or its products or programs ("Restricted Activities"), provided
that the foregoing shall not restrict Executive from engaging in any Restricted
Activities which Employer directs Executive to undertake or which Employer
otherwise expressly authorizes. The foregoing shall not restrict Executive from
owning less than 1% of the outstanding capital stock of any company which
engages in Restricted Activities, provided that Executive is not otherwise
involved with such company as an officer, director, agent, employee or
consultant.
7.2 Scope and Breach of Non-Competition. Subject to Executive's continuing
compliance with the provisions of Section 7.1, Executive may be a principal,
owner, officer, director, agent, consultant or partner, of any corporation,
partnership or other entity. The foregoing provisions of Section 7.1 shall not
be held invalid because of the scope of the territory covered, the actions
restricted thereby, or the period of time such covenant is operative. In the
event of a breach or threatened breach by the Executive of Section 7.1, Employer
shall be entitled to a temporary restraining order and an injunction restraining
Executive from the commission of such breach. Nothing herein shall be construed
as prohibiting Employer from pursuing any other remedies available to it for
such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of money damages.
7.3 Non-solicitation. During the term of this Agreement and for a two (2) year
period following the Termination Date, Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, without the written consent of Employer: (i) recruit or solicit for
employment any
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employee of Employer or FII or encourage any such employee to leave their
employment with Employer or FII, or (ii) solicit, induce or influence any
customer, supplier, lessor or any other person or entity which has a business
relationship with Employer or FII to discontinue or reduce the extent of such
relationship with Employer or FII.
7.4 In the event that the Executive breaches any of the provisions of paragraphs
7.1,7.2, or 7.3, the cash payments provided for by subparagraphs 4.3.8 or 4.4.2
shall cease immediately. Executive shall have no further entitlement to receive
cash payments pursuant to subparagraphs 4.3.8 or 4.4.2 and Employer shall have
no further liability for such payments after the date of Executive's breach.
7.5 The Executive and the Employer believe that the restrictions and covenants
in this section are reasonable and enforceable under the circumstances. However,
if any one or more of the provisions in this section shall, for any, reason be
held to be excessively broad as to time, duration, geographic scope, activity,
or subject, it shall be construed by limiting and reducing it so as to be
enforceable to the extent compatible with law and with the Executive's and the
Employer's intentions as stated herein.
7.6 Survival of Obligations. The obligations of Executive and Employer under
this Section 7 shall survive the termination of Executive's employment and the
expiration or termination of this Agreement.
8. Miscellaneous.
8.1 Remedies. Each of the parties hereto shall have all rights and remedies set
forth in this Agreement. All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are not
exclusive of any other remedies provided by law or any other agreement or
contract to which such person is a party. Each party shall be entitled to
enforce such rights specifically (without the requirement of posting a bond or
other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of
this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, Executive specifically agrees that any breach
or threatened breach of Sections 5, 6 or 7 would cause irreparable injury to
Employer, that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to Employer,
and that Employer shall accordingly have the right and remedy (i) to obtain an
injunction prohibiting Executive from violating or threatening to violate such
provisions, (ii) to have such provisions specifically enforced by any court of
competent jurisdiction, and (iii) to require Executive to account for and pay
over to Employer all compensation, profits, monies, accruals, increments or
other benefits derived or received by Executive as the result of any
transactions constituting a breach of such provisions.
8.2 Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement (including
the schedule hereto) represents the entire understanding and agreement between
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and can be amended,
supplemented or changed, and any provision hereof can be waived, only by a
written instrument making specific reference to this Agreement signed by the
party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, supplement, modification
or waiver is sought. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision
of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing
waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. No
failure on the part of any party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any
right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall
any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such party
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right, power or remedy.
8.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without reference to its
principles of conflicts of law.
8.4 Notices. All notices, demands, solicitations of consent or approval,
and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered
personally, mailed, sent by telefax or sent by recognized commercial courier
(e.g.,
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Federal Express). If delivered personally, such notice shall be deemed to be
given when delivered to the intended recipient. If delivered by mail, such
notice shall be deemed to be given five (5) days after having been deposited in
the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If delivered
by telefax, such notice shall be deemed given when transmission of the notice is
complete to the telefax number of the other party. If delivered by recognized
commercial carrier, such notice shall be deemed given one (1) day after having
been delivered to a recognized commercial carrier for overnight delivery. All
such notices shall be addressed to the address set forth in the preamble to this
Agreement or to such other address which such party shall have given to the
other party for such purpose by notice hereunder.
8.5 Captions. The headings used in this Agreement are intended for
reference purposes only and shall not control or affect in any manner the
meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of is Agreement.
8.6 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining
provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed in all
respects as if such invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted. All
provisions of this Agreement shall be enforced to the full extent permitted by
law.
8.7 Interpretation. The parties acknowledge and agree that: (i) each party
and its counsel reviewed and negotiated the terms and provisions of this
Agreement and have contributed to its revision; (ii) the rule of construction to
the effect that any ambiguities are resolved against the drafting party shall
not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement; and (iii) the terms and
provisions of this Agreement shall be construed fairly as to all parties hereto,
regardless of which party was generally responsible for the preparation of this
Agreement.
8.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of copies,
each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together will be
deemed one and the same instrument.
8.9 Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements contained in this
Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind, and inure to
the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of the parties
hereto whether so expressed or not. Neither party shall transfer or assign this
Agreement or any of their rights or obligations hereunder, whether by operation
of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other party
hereto. Any attempted transfer or assignment of this Agreement or any rights or
obligations hereunder in violation of this provision shall be void ab initio.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date
first above written.
First Tier Bank & Trust
By:
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: President & CEO
Financial Institutions, Inc.
_________________________________________
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
President & CEO
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