EXHIBIT 10.14
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") made the 30th day of January,
2003, between SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC., a Pennsylvania corporation ("SBI"), and
XXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXXX, an individual (the "Executive").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Sovereign Bank (the "Bank") is a wholly owned
subsidiary of SBI; and
WHEREAS, the Executive is the Vice Chairman of Sovereign
Bancorp and President and COO of Sovereign Bank New England, an unincorporated
division of the Bank, as well as a member of the Office of Chair of SBI; and
WHEREAS, the Executive entered into an Employment Agreement
with the Bank as of July 1, 1997 (the "Prior Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, SBI and the Executive desire to enter in an agreement
regarding, among other things the employment of the Executive by SBI and the
termination of the Prior Agreement.
AGREEMENT:
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally
bound hereby, agree as follows:
1. Employment. SBI hereby employs the Executive, and the
Executive hereby accepts employment with the SBI, on the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement.
2. Duties of Employee. The Executive shall perform and
discharge well and faithfully such duties as an executive officer of SBI or SBNE
as may be assigned to the Executive from time to time by the Chief Executive
Officer of SBI or the Board of Directors of the Bank. The Executive shall be
employed as Vice Chairman of SBI, President and Chief Operating Officer of SBNE,
shall be a member of the Office of the Chairman and shall hold such other titles
as may be given to him from time to time by the Board of Directors of SBI, the
Bank (or of any of its affiliated companies). The Executive shall devote his
full time, attention and energies to the business of SBNE and SBI (and its
affiliated companies) and shall not, during the Employment Period (as defined in
Section 3 hereof), be employed or involved in any other business activity,
whether or not such activity is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary
advantage; provided, however, that this Section 2 shall not be construed as
preventing the Executive from (a) investing the Executive's personal assets, (b)
acting as a member of the Board of Directors of any other corporation or as a
member of the Board of Trustees of any other organization, or (c) being involved
in any other activity with the prior approval of the Chairman or Chief Executive
Officer of SBI. The Executive's office will be located in Boston, Massachusetts
or in such other location that is not further than 50 miles therefrom, unless
otherwise explicitly agreed to by the Executive.
3. Term of Employment. The Executive's employment under
this Agreement shall be for a period (the "Employment Period") commencing on the
date of this Agreement and
ending on the date that is three (3) years subsequent thereto, provided that on
the first and each subsequent annual anniversary date of this Agreement, and
unless a party has given the other party written notice at least sixty (60) days
prior to such anniversary date that such party does not agree to renew this
Agreement, the term of this Agreement and the Employment Period shall be deemed
renewed for a term ending three (3) subsequent to such anniversary date, unless
sooner terminated in accordance with this Section 5 hereof or one of the
following provisions:
(a) The Executive's employment under this
Agreement may be terminated at any time during the Employment Period
for "Cause" (as herein defined), by action of the Board of Directors of
SBI, upon giving notice of such termination to the Executive at least
fifteen (15) days prior to the date upon which such termination shall
take effect. As used in this Agreement, "Cause" means any of the
following events:
(i) The Executive is convicted of or
enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony, a
crime of falsehood, or a crime involving fraud or moral
turpitude, or the actual incarceration of the Executive for a
period of forty-five (45) consecutive days;
(ii) The Executive willfully fails to
follow the lawful instructions of the Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer or Board of Directors of SBI after the
Executive's receipt of written notice of such instructions,
other than a failure resulting from the Executive's incapacity
because of physical or mental illness;
(iii) Any government regulatory agency
recommends or orders, in either case in writing, that SBI
terminate the employment of the Executive or relieve him of
his duties; or
(iv) Any government regulatory agency
recommends or orders, in either case in writing, that the Bank
terminate the employment of the Executive or relieve him of
his duties.
If the Executive's employment is terminated under the provisions of this Section
3(a), then all rights of the Executive under Section 4 hereof shall cease as of
the effective date of such termination.
(b) The Executive's employment under this
Agreement may be terminated at any time during the Employment Period
without "Cause" (as defined in Section 3(a) hereof), by action of the
Board of Directors of SBI, upon giving notice of such termination to
the Executive at least thirty (30) days prior to the date upon which
such termination shall take effect. If the Executive's employment is
terminated under the provisions of this Section 3(b), then the
Executive shall be entitled to receive the compensation and benefits
set forth in Section 6 or Section 7 hereof, whichever shall be
applicable. To the extent the Executive becomes entitled to and
receives the payment and benefits set forth in Section 6 or 7, such
payments and benefits shall constitute liquidated damages for any
possible breach of this Agreement by SBI or the Bank and shall
represent the maximum extent of liability therefore that the Executive
can claim against SBI or any of its affiliates, including the Bank.
(c) If the Executive retires or dies, the
Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be deemed terminated
as of the date of the Executive's retirement or
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death, and all rights of the Executive under Section 4 hereof shall
cease as of the date of such termination and any benefits payable to
the Executive shall be determined in accordance with the retirement and
insurance programs of SBI then in effect.
(d) If the Executive is incapacitated by
accident, sickness, or otherwise so as to render the Executive mentally
or physically incapable of performing the services required of the
Executive under Section 2 of this Agreement for a continuous period of
six (6) months, then, upon the expiration of such period or at any time
thereafter, by action of the Board of Directors of SBI, the Executive's
employment under this Agreement may be terminated immediately upon
giving the Executive notice to that effect. If the Executive's
employment is terminated under the provisions of this Section 3(d),
then all rights of the Executive under Section 4 hereof shall cease as
of the last business day of the week in which such termination occurs
and any benefits payable to the Executive shall be determined in
accordance with the retirement and insurance programs of SBI then in
effect.
4. Employment Period Compensation.
(a) Salary. For services performed by the
Executive under this Agreement, SBI shall pay (or cause to be paid to)
the Executive a salary, during the Employment Period, at the rate of
$400,000 per year, payable at the same times as salaries are payable to
other executive employees of SBI. SBI may, from time to time, increase
the Executive's salary (or cause it to be increased), and any and all
such increases shall be deemed to constitute amendments to this Section
4(a) to reflect the increased amounts, effective as of the dates
established for such increases by the Board of Directors of SBI in the
resolutions authorizing such increases.
(b) Bonus. Contingent upon SBI achieving the
annual objectives established for it by the Chief Executive Officer or
Board of Directors of SBI, the Executive, during the Employment Period,
shall be eligible for a bonus to be awarded by the Board of Directors
of SBI of up to a maximum of 100% of the Executive's base at the
relevant year end per annum. In addition, SBI may, from time to time,
pay such other bonus or bonuses to the Executive as SBI, in its sole
discretion, deems appropriate. The payment of any such bonuses shall
not reduce or otherwise affect any other obligation of SBI to the
Executive provided for in this Agreement.
(c) Other Benefits. SBI will provide the
Executive, during the Employment Period, with insurance, vacation,
retirement, and other fringe benefits, including the ability to
participate in SBI's Deferred Bonus Recognition and Retention Program,
which benefits are, in the aggregate, not less favorable than those
received by other comparable executive employees of SBI.
(d) Automotive Allowance. The Executive shall
receive a monthly automobile allowance of $800.00, and shall be
reimbursed at the rate of $0.12 per mile for all mileage, other than
normal commuting, resulting from the Executive's use of his vehicle in
the course of discharging his duties as an executive officer of SBI and
President and Chief Operating Officer of SBNE.
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(e) Parking. SBI will provide the Executive, at
its cost, with a parking space at 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX or at
another location as near as practicable to Executive's place of
Employment.
(f) The Executive shall be paid or reimbursed
for country club dues and business-related expenses, at the Wellesley
Country Club or some other country club of his choice.
5. Resignation of the Executive for Good Reason.
(a) The Executive may resign for "Good Reason"
(as herein defined) at any time during the three year period following
a "Change in Control" (as defined in Section 5(b) hereof), as
hereinafter set forth. As used in this Agreement, "Good Reason" means
any of the following:
(i) Any reduction in title change in
reporting structure or significant reduction in the
Executive's responsibilities or authority, including such
responsibilities and authority as the same may be increased at
any time during the term of this Agreement, or the assignment
to the Executive of duties inconsistent with the Executive's
status as an executive officer of SBI or President and Chief
Operating Officer of SBNE;
(ii) Any reassignment of the Executive
which requires the Executive to move his principal residence;
(iii) Any removal of the Executive from
office or any adverse change in the terms and conditions of
the Executive's employment, except for any termination of the
Executive's employment under the provisions of Section 3(a) or
(d) hereof;
(iv) Any reduction in the Executive's
annual base salary as in effect on the date hereof or as the
same may be increased from time to time;
(v) Any failure of SBI to provide the
Executive with benefits at least as favorable as those enjoyed
by the Executive under any of the retirement, life insurance,
medical, health and accident, disability or other employee
plans of SBI in which the Executive participated at the time
of the Change in Control, or the taking of any action that
would materially reduce any of such benefits in effect at the
time of the Change in Control unless such reduction is part of
a reduction applicable to all employees;
(vi) Any failure to obtain a
satisfactory agreement from any successor to assume and agree
to perform this Agreement, as contemplated in Section 15
hereof; or
(vii) Any material breach of this
Agreement of any nature whatsoever on the part of SBI.
(viii) Termination of the Executive's
membership in the Office of the Chairman (or any successor
group).
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At the option of the Executive, exercisable by the Executive within 90 days
after the occurrence of the event constituting "Good Reason" the Executive may
resign from employment under this Agreement by a notice in writing (the "Notice
of Termination") delivered to SBI (or its successor) and the provisions of
Section 6 hereof shall thereupon apply.
(b) As used in this Agreement, "Change in
Control" means a change of control of a nature that would be required
to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation
14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), as enacted and in force on the date hereof,
whether or not SBI is then subject to such reporting requirement;
provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control
shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) Any "person" (including a group
acting in concert, as the term "person" is defined in Section
13(d) of the Exchange Act, as enacted and in force on the date
hereof) becomes the beneficial owner" (as that term is defined
in Rule 13d-3, as enacted and in force on the date hereof,
under the Exchange Act) of securities of SBI representing
19.9% or more of the combined voting power of SBI's securities
then outstanding;
(ii) There occurs a merger,
consolidation or other business combination or reorganization
to which SBI or the Bank is a party, whether or not approved
in advance by the Board of Directors of SBI or the Bank (as
the case may be) in which (A) the members of the Board of
Directors of SBI or the Bank (as the case may be) immediately
preceding the consummation of such transaction do not
constitute a majority of the members of the Board of Directors
of the resulting corporation and of any parent corporation
thereof immediately after the consummation of such
transaction, and (B) the shareholders of the acquired
corporation immediately before such transaction do not hold
51% or more of the voting power of securities of the resulting
corporation;
(iii) There occurs a sale, exchange,
transfer, or other disposition of substantially all of the
assets of SBI or the Bank to another entity, whether or not
approved in advance by the Board of Directors of SBI;
(iv) A plan of liquidation or
dissolution, other than pursuant to bankruptcy or insolvency,
is adopted; or
(v) During a period of two consecutive
years, individuals who at the beginning of such period
constitute the Board of Directors of SBI cease to constitute a
majority of such Board (unless the election or nomination of
each new director was approved by a vote of at least 51% of
directors who were directors at the beginning of such period).
6. Rights in Event of Termination of Employment After
Change in Control. In the event that Executive resigns from employment for Good
Reason following a Change in Control, by delivery of a Notice of Termination to
SBI, or Executive's employment is terminated by SBI without Cause after a Change
in Control, Executive shall be absolutely entitled to receive the amounts and
benefits set forth in this section.
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(a) For a period of three (3) years from the
date of termination of employment, Executive shall be paid his Current
Compensation at Termination.
(i) For purposes of this section, the
term "Current Compensation at Termination" means the sum of
(A) the greatest of the Executive's base salary as of the date
of termination of employment (or prior to any reduction
thereof resulting in Good Reason for resignation) and for any
of the three (3) immediately preceding calendar years, and (B)
a dollar amount equal to the highest of the awards Executive
received as bonuses in any of the three (3) calendar years
preceding the year in which the termination of employment
occurs.
(ii) Amounts required to be paid to
Executive under Section 6(a) shall be paid in equal monthly
installments, beginning thirty (30) days following the date of
termination of employment or the receipt by SBI of the
approval of payment of such amounts by the Office of Thrift
Supervision or such other regulatory agency to the extent such
approval is required at that time.
(b) For a period of three (3) years from the
date of termination of employment, Executive shall receive a
continuation of all life, disability, medical insurance and other
normal welfare benefits in effect with respect to Executive during the
two (2) calendar years prior to his termination of employment, or, if
SBI cannot provide such benefits because Executive is no longer an
employee, a dollar amount equal to the cost after-tax to Executive of
obtaining such benefits (or substantially similar benefits).
(c) In the event that the amounts and benefits
payable under this Agreement, when added to other amounts and benefits
which may become payable to the Executive by SBI and any affiliated
company, are such that he becomes subject to the excise tax provisions
of Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), SBI shall pay him such additional amount or amounts as will
result in his retention (after the payment of all federal, state and
local excise, employment and income taxes on such payments and the
value of such benefits) of a net amount equal to the net amount he
would have retained had the initially calculated payments and benefits
been subject only to income and employment taxation. For purposes of
the preceding sentence, the Executive shall be deemed to be subject to
the highest marginal federal, relevant state and relevant local tax
rates. All calculations required to be made under this subsection shall
be made by SBI's independent public accountants, subject to the right
of Executive's representative to review the same. All such amounts
required to be paid shall be paid at the time any withholding may be
required under applicable law, and any additional amounts to which the
Executive may be entitled shall be paid or reimbursed no later than
fifteen (15) days following confirmation of such amount by SBI's
accountants. In the event any amounts paid hereunder are subsequently
determined to be in error because estimates were required or otherwise,
the parties agree to reimburse each other to correct such error, as
appropriate, and to pay interest thereon at the applicable federal rate
(as determined under Code Section 1274 for the period of time such
erroneous amount remained outstanding and unreimbursed). The parties
recognize that the actual implementation of the provisions of this
subsection are complex and agree to deal with each other in good faith
to resolve any questions or disagreements arising hereunder.
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7. Rights in Event of Termination of Employment Without
Cause in Absence of Change in Control. In the event that Executive's employment
is terminated by SBI without Cause and no Change in Control shall have occurred
at the date of such termination, Executive shall be entitled to receive the
amounts and benefits set forth in this section.
(a) For a period of the greater of one (1) year
from the date of termination of employment or the remaining term of
this Agreement, Executive shall be paid his Current Compensation at
Termination.
(i) For purposes of this section, the
term "Current Compensation at Termination" means the sum of
(A) Executive's base salary as of the date of termination of
employment (or prior to any reduction thereof preceding
termination of employment), and (B) a dollar amount equal to
the average of the awards Executive received as bonuses for
each of the three (3) calendar years preceding the year in
which the termination of employment occurs.
(ii) Amounts required to be paid to
Executive under Section 7(a) shall be paid in equal monthly
installments, beginning thirty (30) days following the date of
termination of employment or the receipt by SBI of the
approval of payment of such amounts by the Office of Thrift
Supervision or such other regulatory agency to the extent such
approval is required at that time.
(b) For a period of the greater of one (1) year
from the date of termination of employment or the remaining term of
this Agreement, Executive shall receive a continuation of all life,
disability, medical insurance and other normal welfare benefits in
effect with respect to Executive during the two (2) calendar years
prior to his termination of employment, or, if SBI cannot provide such
benefits because Executive is no longer an employee, a dollar amount
equal to the cost after-tax to Executive of obtaining such benefits (or
substantially similar benefits).
(c) Executive shall not be required to mitigate
the amount of any payment provided for in this section by seeking
employment or otherwise.
8. Covenant Not to Compete; Non-Solicitation of
Customers and Employees. If Executive voluntarily leaves employment hereunder
during the term of this Agreement, Executive agrees that, for a period of twelve
(12) months following the date of the termination of his employment, Executive
shall not work directly or indirectly for or on behalf of another bank that
offers products or services similar or equivalent to those offered by the Bank
in the geographic area in which SBI or its affiliates, including the Bank, are
conducting such business at the date of termination of Executive's employment.
Nor during such period shall Executive solicit customers or employees of SBI or
any of its affiliates, including the Bank, to cease doing business, in whole or
in part, or cease employment with SBI, or any of its affiliates, including the
Bank.
9. Arbitration. SBI and the Executive recognize that in
the event a dispute should arise between them concerning the interpretation or
implementation of this Agreement, lengthy and expensive litigation will not
afford a practical resolution of the issues within a reasonable period of time.
Consequently, each party agrees that all disputes, disagreements and questions
of interpretation concerning this Agreement are to be submitted for resolution
to the
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American Arbitration Association (the "Association") in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. SBI, or the Executive, may initiate an arbitration proceeding at
any time by giving notice to the others in accordance with the rules of the
Association. The arbitrator shall be selected and proceedings conducted in
accordance with the Commercial Dispute Resolution Procedures of the Association.
The arbitrator shall not be bound by the rules of evidence and procedure of the
courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania but shall be bound by the substantive
law applicable to this Agreement. The decision of the arbitrator, absent fraud,
duress, incompetence or gross and obvious error of fact, shall be final and
binding upon the parties and shall be enforceable in courts of proper
jurisdiction. Following written notice of a request for arbitration, SBI, and
the Executive, shall be entitled to an injunction restraining all further
proceedings in any pending or subsequently filed litigation concerning this
Agreement, except as otherwise provided herein.
10. Legal Expenses. SBI shall pay to the Executive all
reasonable legal fees and expenses when incurred by the Executive in
successfully obtaining or enforcing any right or benefit provided by this
Agreement.
11. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given
under this Agreement shall be deemed properly given if in writing and if mailed
by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid with return receipt requested,
to the residence of the Executive, in the case of notices to the Executive, and
to the principal office of SBI, in the case of notices to SBI.
12. Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be
modified, waived, or discharged unless such waiver, modification, or discharge
is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and an executive officer of
SBI specifically designated by the Board of Directors of SBI. No waiver by any
party hereto at any time of any breach by any other party hereto of, or
compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by
such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
13. Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable by
either party hereto, except by SBI to any successor in interest to the business
of SBI.
14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and
supersedes any prior agreement of the parties.
15. Successors, Binding Agreement.
(a) SBI 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 SBI to
expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner
and to the same extent that SBI would be required to perform it if no
such succession had taken place. Failure by SBI to obtain such
assumption and agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such
succession shall constitute a breach of this Agreement and the
provisions of Section 6 hereof shall apply. As used in this Agreement,
"SBI" shall mean SBI as hereinbefore defined and any successor to the
respective business and/or assets of SBI as aforesaid which assumes and
agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
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(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees,
devisees, and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amount is
payable to the Executive under this Agreement if the Executive had
continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein,
shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the
Executive's devisee, legatee, or other designee, or, if there is no
such designee, to the Executive's estate.
16. Termination.
(a) Any termination of the Executive's
employment under this Agreement or of this Agreement shall not affect
the provisions of Sections 6, 7 or 8 hereof which shall survive any
such termination and remain in full force and effect in accordance with
their respective terms.
17. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and
effect.
18. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the domestic laws (but not the law of conflict
of laws) of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
19. Headings. The headings of the Sections of this
Agreement are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning
or construction or limit the scope or intent of any of the provisions of this
Agreement.
20. Effective Date; Termination of Prior Agreement. This
Agreement shall become effective immediately, upon the execution and delivery of
this Agreement by the parties hereto. Upon the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the parties hereto, the Prior Agreement and any other agreement
relating to the subject matter hereof, shall be automatically terminated and be
of no further force or effect.
21. Allocation of Costs Generally. SBI and the Bank agree
that, as between themselves, they shall bear their respective costs incurred
under this Agreement in such manner as is determined on a mutually satisfactory
basis. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, regardless of any internal cost
allocation arrangements between SBI and the Bank, SBI shall remain primarily
obligated to Executive for the payments and benefits to which he may become
entitled hereunder.
22. Guaranty and SBI and Bank Representation. To the
extent permitted by law, the Bank hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
guarantees to the Executive the full and timely performance by SBI of each and
every obligation of SBI set forth in this Agreement. SBI and the Bank represent
to the Executive that this Agreement has been fully authorized by all necessary
corporate action and is fully enforceable in accordance with its terms.
23. Cooperation Covenant. Both during and after the
Employment Period, the Executive shall cooperate fully with SBI and with any
legal counsel, expert or consultant it may retain to assist it in connection
with any judicial proceedings, arbitration, administrative proceeding,
governmental investigation or inquiry or internal audit in which SBI or any
affiliate
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thereof, including the Bank, may be or become involved, including full
disclosure of all relevant information and truthfully testifying on SBI's behalf
(or, at the request of SBI, on behalf of such affiliate of SBI, including the
Bank) in connection with any such proceeding or investigation.
24. Tax Withholding. All payments made and benefits
provided hereunder shall be subject to required tax withholding, the cost of
which, except as otherwise specifically provided herein, shall be borne by the
Executive. In the case of a noncash benefit, SBI may require the Executive, as a
condition of the receipt of such benefit, to deposit sufficient funds with SBI
to discharge any required withholding obligation.
25. Representation of Executive. As an inducement to
entering into this Agreement, the Executive represents to SBI and the Bank that
his execution of and performance under this Agreement will not constitute a
violation by him of any written or other contract, understanding, arrangement,
duties or other obligation pertaining to his performance of personal services,
solicitation of employees or customers, or other conduct on his part
contemplated by this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the date first above written.
SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC.
By /s/ Xxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------------------
Xxx X. Xxxxx
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
(SEAL)
Attest: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
-------------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Assistant Secretary
("SBI")
Witness:
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx (SEAL)
---------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
("Executive")
Agreed to as of the date
of this Agreement.
SOVEREIGN BANK, A FEDERAL
SAVINGS BANK
By /s/ Xxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------------
Xxx X. Xxxxx
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
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