CHANGE OF CONTROL
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between First Security Corporation, a Utah corporation (the
"Company"), and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx (the "Executive"), dated as of the 2nd day of
February, 1998.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined that it is
in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the
Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding
the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined
below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the
inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control
and to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and
to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a
Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations
of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of
other corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the
Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
Certain Definitions. (a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date
during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a
Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and
if the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date
on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by
the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a
third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of
Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change
of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall
mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.
The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on the date
hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof; provided,
however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on
each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary
thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), unless
previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be automatically
extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date, unless at
least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to the
Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.
Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of Control"
shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of
either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
"Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");
provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition
directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (iv)
any acquisition pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the
"Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of
the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director
subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by
the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of
the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as
though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding,
for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office
occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to
the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
Board; or
(c) Consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger or consolidation
or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company or the acquisition of assets of another entity (a "Business
Combination"), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i)
all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business
Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined
voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a
corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or
substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through one or
more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company
Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be,
(ii) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the
Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination)
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the
then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership
existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the
members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such
Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing
for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company.
Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its
employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period
commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of such
date (the "Employment Period").
Terms of Employment. (a) Position and Duties. (i) During the Employment
Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at
least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those
held, exercised and assigned to the Executive at any time during the 90-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive's
services shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed
immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than
35 miles from such location.
During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick
leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote
reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business and
affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the
responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's
reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or
charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking
engagements or teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal
investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with
the performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the
Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and
agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the
Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such
activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto)
subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere
with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the Company.
Compensation. (i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which shall be
paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest monthly
base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been earned
but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in
respect of the 12-month period immediately preceding the month in which the
Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary
shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last salary increase
awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least
annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or
reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual
Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual
Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as
so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies"
shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control
with the Company.
Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive shall be
awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an annual
bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the Executive's highest
bonus under the Company's annual incentive plans for the last three fiscal
years prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the event that the Executive
was not employed by the Company for the whole of such fiscal year) (the
"Recent Annual Bonus"). Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than
the end of the third month of the fiscal year next following the fiscal year
for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to
defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.
Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and
retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no
event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive
with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and
special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction
is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in
each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those
provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under
such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during
the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more
favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the
Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive and/or the
Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in
and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices,
policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies
(including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability,
salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel
accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no
event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive
with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided
generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to
receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the
Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally
at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.
Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, tax and financial
planning services, payment of club dues, and, if applicable, use of an
automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with the most
favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other
appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and other assistance, at
least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive
by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the 90-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to
paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs
and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally
at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.
Termination of Employment. (a) Death or Disability. The Executive's
employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the
Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period
(pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the
Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of
its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the
Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th
day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective
Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive
shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of the
Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis
for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or
physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician
selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or
the Executive's legal representative.
Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during the
Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall
mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its affiliates
(other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or
mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is
delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief
Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not substantially performed
the Executive's duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross
misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution
duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive
Officer or a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel
for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.
The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for
Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy
of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-
quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board
called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the
Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to
be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the
Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or
(ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the Executive
for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any
respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated
by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which
results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of
Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any office or
location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof or the Company's
requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a substantially
greater extent than required immediately prior to the Effective Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section 11(c) of
this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good
Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this Agreement
to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any reason
during the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the
Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all
purposes of this Agreement.
Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to
the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) of this
Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a
written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination
of the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if
the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt
of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more
than thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the
Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not
waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or
preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact
or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights
hereunder.
Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for
Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later
date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's employment
is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the date on
which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination and (iii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the
date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case
may be.
Obligations of the Company upon Termination. (a) Good Reason; Other Than for
Cause, Death or Disability. If, during the Employment Period, the Company
shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for Cause or Disability
or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30
days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:
the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the
higher of (I) the Recent Annual Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or
payable, including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but
deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve
full months or during which the Executive was employed for less than twelve
full months), for the most recently completed fiscal year during the
Employment Period, if any (such higher amount being referred to as the
"Highest Annual Bonus"), and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and
the denominator of which is 365 and (3) any compensation previously deferred
by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and
any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the
sum of the amounts described in clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
the amount equal to the product of (1) three and (2) the sum of (x) the
Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus; and
an amount equal to the difference between (a) the aggregate benefit under
the Company's qualified defined benefit retirement plans (collectively, the
"Retirement Plan") and any excess or supplemental defined benefit retirement
plans in which the Executive participates (collectively, the "SERP") which the
Executive would have accrued (whether or not vested) if the Executive's
employment had continued for three years following the Date of Termination
(provided, that, for purposes of determining the SERP benefit the Executive
would have accrued, (i) if the Executive had not attained "Early Retirement
Date" under the First Security Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (after
being credited with three years of age and service), the Executive shall be
treated as if the Executive had remained employed through the Early Retirement
Date, (ii) the SERP benefit shall be calculated as if consent had been granted
under the First Security Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and (iii)
"Early Retirement Percentages" (as defined in Section 5.02 of the First
Security Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan) will be treated as continuing
to increase at a rate of 3% per year for each year prior to age 50) and (b)
the actual vested benefit, if any, of the Executive under the Retirement Plan
and the SERP, determined as of the Date of Termination (with the foregoing
amounts to be computed on an actuarial present value basis, based on the
assumption that the Executive's compensation in each of the three years
following such termination would have been that required by Section 4(b)(i)
and Section 4(b)(ii), and using actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the
Executive than the most favorable of those in effect for purposes of computing
benefit entitlements under the Retirement Plan and the SERP at any time from
the day before the Effective Date) through the Date of Termination;
(ii) for three years following the Date of Termination, or such longer
period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program,
practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive
and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those which would have been
provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and
policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive's
employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive, as
in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families,
provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another
employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under
another employer-provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits
described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan
during such applicable period of eligibility, and for purposes of determining
eligibility (but not the time of commencement of benefits) of the Executive
for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies,
the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until three years
following the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of such
period;
(iii) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the
Executive with outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall be
selected by the Executive in the Executive's sole discretion; and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall
timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required
to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any
plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and
its affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Other Benefits").
Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under
this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely
payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to
the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of
Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(b) shall
include, without limitation, and the Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries
shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable
benefits provided by the Company and affiliated companies to the estates and
beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such affiliated companies
under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits,
if any, as in effect with respect to other peer executives and their
beneficiaries at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive's estate and/or the
Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the Executive's death
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies and their beneficiaries.
Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for payment
of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.
Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of
Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall
include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective
Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the most
favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated
companies to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such
plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in
effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at
any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect
at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies and their families.
Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment shall be
terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the
obligation to pay to the Executive (x) the Annual Base Salary through the Date
of Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore
unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the
Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for
Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In
such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit
the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan, program,
policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies
and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 12(f), shall
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may
have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated
companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of
or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated
companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in
accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or
agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
Full Settlement; Legal Fees. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek
other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and
except as specifically provided in Section 6(a)(ii), such amounts shall not be
reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company
agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees
and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any
contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or
others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability or entitlement
under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof
(whether such contest is between the Company and the Executive or between
either of them and any third party, and including as a result of any contest
by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement),
plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal
rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code").
Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it
shall be determined that any payment, award, benefit or distribution by the
Company (or any of its affiliated entities) or by any entity which effectuates
a Change of Control (or any of its affiliated entities) to or for the benefit
of the Executive (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required
under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed
by Section 4999 of the Code or any corresponding provisions of state or local
tax laws, or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with
respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest
and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"),
then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a
"Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of
all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such
taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and
penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-
Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to
the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. The payment of a Gross-Up Payment
under this Section 9(a) shall not be conditioned upon the Executive's
termination of employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 9(a), if it shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to a
Gross-Up Payment, but that the portion of the Payments that would be treated
as "parachute payments" under Section 280G of the Code does not exceed 110% of
the greatest amount (the "Safe Harbor Amount") that could be paid to the
Executive such that the receipt of Payments would not give rise to any Excise
Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive and the amounts
payable under this Agreement shall be reduced so that the Payments, in the
aggregate, are reduced to the Safe Harbor Amount. The reduction of the
amounts payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by first reducing the
payments under Section 6(a)(i)(B), unless an alternative method of reduction
is elected by the Executive. For purposes of reducing the Payments to the
Safe Harbor Amount, only amounts payable under this Agreement (and no other
Payments) shall be reduced. If the reduction of the amounts payable under
this Agreement would not result in a reduction of the Payments to the Safe
Harbor Amount, no amounts payable under this Agreement shall be reduced
pursuant to this Section 9(a).
Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be
made under this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is
required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be
utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by Deloitte & Touche
LLP or such other certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the
Executive (the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of
the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or
such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the
Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity
or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall appoint another
nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required
hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting
Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne
solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this
Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of
the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a
result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at
the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is
possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company
should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations
required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its
remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to
make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the
amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall
be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal
Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company
of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is
informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature
of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The
Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day
period following the date on which the Executive gives such notice to the
Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes
with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in
writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such
claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company
relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the
Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including,
without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim
by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to
contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such
claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions
of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any
and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with
the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option,
either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund or
contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to
prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal,
in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the
Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance
the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and
shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from
any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect
thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed
income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension
of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable
year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed
to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the
Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to
which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be
entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by
the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company
pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund
with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company's
complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the Company
the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon
after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an
amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination is
made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to
such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its
intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days
after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be
required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the
extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity
for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information,
knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies,
and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the
Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other
than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation
of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the
Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate
or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the
Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation
of the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or
withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this
Agreement.
Successors. (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the
prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's
legal representatives.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company
and its successors and assigns.
The Company 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 the Company to assume expressly and agree to
perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the
Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.
As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore
defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which
assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or
otherwise.
Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Utah, without reference to principles
of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the
provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not
be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
First Security Corporation
00 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xx.
Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxx 00000
If to the Company:
First Security Corporation
00 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xx.
Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxx 00000
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this
Agreement.
The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such
Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld
pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict compliance with
any provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or the failure
to assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder,
including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate
employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement,
shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other
provision or right of this Agreement.
The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may otherwise be
provided under any other written agreement between the Executive and the
Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will" and,
prior to the Effective Date, the Executive's employment may be terminated by
either the Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date,
in which case the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement.
From and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof,
including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to participate in
any severance plan of the Company or otherwise receive severance benefits from
the Company during the Employment Period.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand and,
pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has
caused this Agreement to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the
day and year first above written.
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
FIRST SECURITY CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
