November 13, 2007
Exhibit
10.21
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November
13, 2007
Xxxxx
Xxxxx
00
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Whippany,
NJ 07981
Dear
Xxxxx:
As
you
are aware, Greater Community Bank (“GCB” or the “Company”) has entered into an
agreement to be acquired by Oritani Financial Corp. (“OFC”). As part
of this transaction, GCB will be merged into Oritani Savings Bank (“Oritani”)
(references to GCB or the Company shall mean Oritani following the merger).
The
Board acknowledges there are varying degrees of risk and hard work for those
involved.
Your
ability to stay focused and on task will be critical to accomplish our goals
regardless of the path. As a senior member of the management team,
you will be depended upon to provide stability and direction to the organization
during this period.
In
consideration and acknowledgement of your future contribution, you are one
of a
small group of individuals being offered an Executive Retention
Payment. You are eligible for up to a total retention payment of
$50,000, which will be paid on the following dates, provided that you are
working for GCB, and/or any subsidiaries on these dates and you have
satisfactorily performed your duties as determined by the Company in its sole
discretion or have been terminated without cause:
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(1)
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You
will be paid one half of your retention ($25,000) three months following
the date the merger is completed.
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(2)
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You
will be paid the second one half of your retention ($25,000) nine
months
following the date the merger is completed.
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In
the
event you are terminated without cause prior to the date a payment is due,
any
remaining payments will be made within ten days of your separation
date. To be eligible to receive the payments, you
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agree
to
cooperate promptly with all merger-related and/or business activities, including
without limitation the following:
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·
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Gather
all available requested information and documentation.
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·
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Assist,
prepare, present management presentations and completely respond
to any
questions and answers.
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·
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Assist,
prepare, review and complete the disclosure schedules and other documents
associated with the merger.
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·
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Respond
to any questions from GCB, OFC, their counsel and representatives.
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·
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Maintain
the confidentiality of information.
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Failure
to cooperate in these activities may be deemed “cause” for termination under
this agreement as determined by the GCB. If you voluntarily resign or
are terminated for “cause” as defined by this agreement, you will not be
eligible for any further payment under this agreement, and except as provided
below, you will be permitted to retain any payments previously
received.
The
parties agree that “cause” shall include any of the following actions on your
part: (a) personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty
involving personal profit, willful violation of any law, rule, or regulation
(other than traffic violations or similar offenses), or habitual use of alcohol
or drugs which, in the good faith determination of GCB, materially impairs
your
ability to carry out your duties as an employee; (b) use of the Company’s
proprietary information or customer lists for personal benefit or in a way
adverse to the interests of the Company, except in connection with the
performance of your duties as an employee of the Company; (c) the willful and
continued failure to substantially perform your duties with the Company (other
than as a result of physical or mental illness); or (d) failure to cooperate
as
described herein.
This
letter agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on
GCB
any obligation to retain you, to change the status of your employment, or to
change GCB’s policies (or Oritani’s policies after the merger) regarding
termination of employment.
The
invalidity or enforceability of any provision of this letter agreement shall
not
affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this letter
agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect, and any prohibition
or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
This
letter agreement shall supplement any other benefits to employee, to the extent
not addressed herein. You will receive all payments due less any
required withholdings.
By
signing below, you agree that you will not disclose the contents of this
agreement to any person or entity (other than your attorney, accountant,
advisor, and adult immediate family members, each of whom shall first agree
to
be bound by this confidentiality provision). Nothing in this
paragraph, however, shall be construed to limit, impede or impair your right
to
communicate with government agencies regarding matters that are within the
jurisdictions of such agencies or to testify in any legal
proceedings. You understand that if you violate the terms of this
paragraph, GCB will be relieved of its obligations to provide the payments
set
forth in this agreement and that you will be required to reimburse GCB for
any
payments you have received.
The
validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this letter agreement
shall in all respects be governed by the law of New Jersey.
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Sincerely,
For
and
on behalf of Greater Community Bank,
By:
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/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx,
Xx.
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx, Xx.
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Chief
Executive Officer
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For
and
on behalf of Oritani Savings Bank
By:
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/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
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Chief
Executive Officer
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Accepted
and agreed to this
13
day of
November, 2007
By:
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/s/
Xxxxx
Xxxxx
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