Exhibit 10.10.9
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENTS -- NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
(1998 ANNUAL GRANTS)
Each of the non-employee directors of Risk Capital Holdings, Inc. ("RCHI")
listed below has entered into a Stock Option Agreement with RCHI that is
substantially identical in all material aspects to the agreement, dated as of
January 1, 1998, between RCHI and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx., a copy of which is
being filed herewith in this Exhibit 10.10.9.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Xxx X. Xxxx
Xxxxxx V. A. Xxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
* * * *
RISK CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.
Director Option Agreement
FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, Risk Capital Holdings, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation, hereby grants to Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx., a director of the
Company on the date hereof (the "Option Holder"), the option to purchase common
stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company ("Shares"), upon the following
terms:
WHEREAS, the following terms reflect the Company's 1995 Long Term
Incentive and Share Award Plan, as amended by the First Amendment thereto (the
"Plan");
Grant. The Option Holder is hereby granted an option (the
"Option") to purchase 500 Shares (the "Option Shares") pursuant to the Plan, the
terms of which are incorporated herein by reference. The Option is granted as of
January 1, 1998 (the "Date of Grant") and such grant is subject to the terms and
conditions herein and the terms and conditions of the applicable provisions of
the Plan. Such Option shall not be treated as an incentive stock option under
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Status of Option Shares. The Option Shares shall upon issue
rank equally in all respects with the other Shares.
Option Price. The purchase price for the Option Shares shall
be, except as herein provided, $22.25 per Option Share, hereinafter sometimes
referred to as the "Option Price," payable immediately in full upon the exercise
of the Option.
Term of Option. The Option may be exercised only during the
period (the "Option Period") commencing in accordance with paragraph (f) below
and shall continue until January 1, 2008; thereafter the Option Holder shall
cease to have any rights in respect thereof. The right to exercise the Option
may be subject to sooner termination as provided in paragraph (j) below.
No Rights of Shareholder. The Option Holder shall not, by
virtue hereof, be entitled to any rights of a shareholder in the Company, either
at law or in equity.
Exercisability. The Option shall become exercisable on January
1, 1999, subject to paragraph (j) below; provided that such Option, to the
extent not already exercisable in full, shall become immediately and fully
exercisable (1) to the extent provided in paragraph (j) below and (2) upon a
Change in Control. Subject to paragraph (j) below, the Option may be exercised
at any time or from time to time during the Option Period in regard to all or
any portion of the Option which is then exercisable, as may be adjusted pursuant
to paragraph (g) below.
"Change in Control" means and shall be deemed to have occurred if:
a. any person (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), other than a
Permitted Person or Initial Investor, is or becomes the "beneficial
owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly
or indirectly, of Voting Securities representing 35% or more of the
total voting power of all the then outstanding Voting Securities; or
b. any Initial Investor is or becomes the "beneficial owner"
(as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of Voting Securities representing 50% or more of the
total voting power of all the then outstanding Voting Securities; or
c. the individuals who, as of the Date of Grant, constitute
the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") together with
those who become directors subsequent to such date and whose
recommendation, election or nomination for election to the Board was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then
still in office who either were directors as of such date or whose
recommendation, election or nomination for election was previously
so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the
members of the Board; or
d. the required stockholders of the Company approve a merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, sale or disposition by
the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets, or
reorganization of the Company (provided that all material regulatory
approvals have been obtained), or consummation of any such
transaction, other than any such transaction which would (x) result
in at least 60% of the total voting power represented by the voting
securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after
such transaction being beneficially owned by the former stockholders
of the Company and (y) not otherwise be deemed a Change in Control
under subparagraphs a, b, c or e of this paragraph (f); or
e. the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for
purposes hereof, a Change in Control has occurred.
(i) "Initial Investors" means (A) X.L. Insurance
Company, Ltd.; (B) The Trident Partnership, L.P.; (C) Xxxxx &
McLennan Risk Capital Holdings, Ltd.; or (D) any
majority-owned subsidiary or parent (or equivalent in the case
of a non-corporate entity) of the foregoing.
(ii) "Permitted Persons" means (A) the Company; (B) any
Related Party; or (C) any group (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act) comprised of any or all of the
foregoing.
(iii) "Related Party" means (A) a majority-owned
subsidiary of the Company; (B) a trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company or any majority-owned subsidiary of the Company; or
(C) a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the
stockholders of the Company in substantially the same
proportion as their ownership of Voting Securities.
(iv) "Voting Security" means any security of the Company
which carries the right to vote generally in the election of
directors.
Adjustments for Recapitalization and Dividends. In the
event that, prior to the expiration of the Option, any dividend in Shares,
recapitalization, Share split, reverse split, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other
such change affects the Shares such that they are increased or decreased or
changed into or exchanged for
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a different number or kind of shares, other securities of the Company or of
another corporation or other consideration, then in order to maintain the
proportionate interest of the Option Holder and preserve the value of the
Option, (i) there shall automatically be substituted for each Share subject to
the unexercised Option the number and kind of shares, other securities or other
consideration into which each outstanding Share shall be changed or for which
each such Share shall be exchanged, and (ii) the exercise price shall be
increased or decreased proportionately so that the aggregate purchase price for
the Shares subject to the unexercised Option shall remain the same as
immediately prior to such event.
Transferability. The Option may not be assigned or otherwise
transferred, disposed of or encumbered by the Option Holder, other than by will
or by the laws of descent and distribution. During the lifetime of the Option
Holder, the Option shall be exercisable only by the Option Holder or by his or
her guardian or legal representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option
may be transferred by the Option Holder to members of his or her "immediate
family" or to a trust established for the exclusive benefit of solely one or
more members of the Option Holder's "immediate family." Any Option held by the
transferee will continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions that
were applicable to the Option immediately prior to the transfer, except that the
Option will be transferable by the transferee only by will or the laws of
descent and distribution. For purposes hereof, "immediate family" means the
Option Holder's children, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents,
grandparents, spouse, siblings (including half brothers and sisters), in-laws,
and relationships arising because of legal adoption.
Exercise of Option. In order to exercise the Option, the
Option Holder shall submit to the Company an instrument in writing signed by the
Option Holder, specifying the number of Option Shares in respect of which the
Option is being exercised, accompanied by payment of the Option Price for the
Option Shares for which the Option is being exercised in cash or Shares already
owned by the Option Holder (provided that the Option Holder has owned such
Shares for a minimum period of six months) and having a total Fair Market Value
(as defined below) equal to the exercise price, or in a combination of cash and
such Shares. Option Shares will be issued accordingly by the Company within 15
business days, and a share certificate dispatched to the Option Holder within 30
days.
The Company shall not be required to issue fractional Shares upon
the exercise of the Option. If any fractional interest in a Share would be
deliverable upon the exercise of the Option in whole or in part but for the
provisions of this paragraph, the Company, in lieu of delivering any such
fractional share therefor, shall pay a cash adjustment therefor in an amount
equal to their Fair Market Value (or if any Shares are not publicly traded, an
amount equal to the book value per share at the end of the most recent fiscal
quarter) multiplied by the fraction of the fractional share which would
otherwise have been issued hereunder. Anything to the contrary herein
notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated to issue any Option Shares
hereunder if the issuance of such Option Shares would violate the provision of
any applicable law, in which event the Company shall, as soon as practicable,
take whatever action it reasonably can so that such Option Shares may be issued
without resulting in such violations of law. For purposes hereof, Fair Market
Value shall mean the mean between the high and low selling prices per Share on
the immediately preceding date (or, if the Shares were not traded on that day,
the next preceding day that the Shares were traded) on the principal exchange on
which the Shares are traded, as such prices are officially quoted on such
exchange.
Termination of Service. In the event the Option Holder ceases
to be a director of the Company (i) due to retirement after attainment of age 65
or (ii) due to death or disability, the Option, to the extent not already
exercisable in full, shall become immediately and fully exercisable at the time
of such termination of service, and the Option may be exercised at any time
during the Option Period.
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Subject to paragraph (f) above, if the Option Holder ceases to be a director of
the Company for any other reason, the portion of the Option which is not then
exercisable shall be cancelled on the date service terminates, and the portion
of the Option which is then exercisable may be exercised at any time within six
months after the date of such termination, but not later than termination of the
Option Period.
Obligations as to Capital. The Company agrees that it will at
all times maintain authorized and unissued share capital sufficient to fulfill
all of its obligations under the Option.
Transfer of Shares. The Option, the Option Shares, or any
interest in either, may be sold, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered, or
transferred or disposed of in any other manner, in whole or in part, only in
compliance with the terms, conditions and restrictions as set forth in the
governing instruments of the Company, applicable United States federal and state
securities laws and the terms and conditions hereof. Each certificate for Option
Shares issued upon exercise of the Option, unless at the time of exercise such
Option Shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall
bear the following legend or such other legend as the Company deems appropriate:
"The securities evidenced hereby have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Act'), and may not be
offered, sold or otherwise transferred except (i) in compliance with
the provisions of any applicable state securities or 'Blue Sky' laws
and (ii) (A) pursuant to an effective registration under the Act,
(B) in compliance with Rule 144 under the Act, (C) inside the United
States to a Qualified Institutional Buyer in compliance with Rule
144A under the Act, (D) outside the United States in compliance with
Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Act or (E) inside the United
States to an institutional 'accredited investor' as defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Act in a transaction which, in
the opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company,
qualifies as an exempt transaction under the Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder."
Any certificate issued at any time in exchange or substitution for any
certificate bearing such legend or such other legend deemed appropriate by the
Company shall also bear such legend unless, in the opinion of counsel for the
Company, the securities represented thereby need no longer be subject to the
restrictions set forth therein. The provisions of this paragraph (l) shall be
binding upon all subsequent holders of certificates bearing the above legend and
all subsequent holders of the Option, if any.
Expenses of Issuance of Option Shares. The issuance of stock
certificates upon the exercise of the Option in whole or in part, shall be
without charge to the Option Holder. The Company shall pay, and indemnify the
Option Holder from and against any issuance, stamp or documentary taxes (other
than transfer taxes) or charges imposed by any governmental body, agency or
official (other than income taxes) by reason of the exercise of the Option in
whole or in part or the resulting issuance of the Option Shares.
Withholding. The Option Holder agrees to make appropriate
arrangements with the Company for satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding
requirements, or similar requirements, arising out of the Option.
(o) References. References herein to rights and obligations of the
Option Holder shall apply, where appropriate, to the Option Holder's legal
representative or estate without regard to
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whether specific reference to such legal representative or estate is contained
in a particular provision of this Option.
(p) Settlement of Disputes. Any dispute between the parties arising
from or relating to the terms of this Option shall be resolved by arbitration
held in the State of Connecticut in accordance with the rules of the American
Arbitration Association. All costs associated with any arbitration, including
all legal expenses, for both parties shall be borne by the Company.
(q) No Mitigation. To the extent that the vesting of the Option is
accelerated upon a Change in Control or upon a termination of service as
provided herein, neither the Option, nor any Option Shares nor any interest in
either, shall be reduced by any compensation received by the Option Holder in
connection with any other employment.
(r) Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when
delivered personally or by courier, or sent by certified or registered mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested, duly addressed to the party concerned
at the address indicated below or to such changed address as such party may
subsequently by similar process give notice of:
If to the Company:
Risk Capital Holdings, Inc.
00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Secretary
If to the Option Holder:
[Address of Option Holder]
(s) Governing Law. This agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to
principles of conflict of laws.
(t) Entire Agreement. This agreement constitutes the entire
agreement among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and any
previous agreement or understanding among the parties with respect thereto is
superseded by this agreement.
(u) Counterparts. This agreement may be executed in two
counterparts, each of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this agreement as
of the Date of Grant.
RISK CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
-------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Managing Director, General Counsel
and Secretary
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx.
-----------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx.
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