EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.5
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
September 28, 2020 (the "Effective Date"), between U.S. Century Bank, a Florida-chartered
commercial bank (the "Bank" or the "Employer"), and Xxxxx "Xxx" Xxxxxxxx (the "Executive").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Executive is presently the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of
the Bank;
WHEREAS, the Employer desires to be ensured of the Executive's continued active
participation in the business of the Employer; and
WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to serve the Bank on the terns and conditions
hereinafter set forth.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, and upon
the other terns and conditions hereinafter provided, the Employer and the Executive hereby agree
as follows:
1. Definitions. The following words and terms shall have the meanings set forth below for
the purposes of this Agreement:
(a) Base Salary. "Base Salary" shall have the meaning set forth in Section3(a) hereof.
(b) Cause. Termination of the Executive's employment for "Cause" shall mean
termination because of (i) willful misconduct (including but not limited to misappropriation of a
material Bank business opportunity, material violation of a confidentiality or non-competition
obligation, or abuse of drugs or alcohol that results in the Executive being materially adversely
affected in the performance of his duties), or fraud by the Executive; (ii) conviction of (including
a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to) a felony which has a material effect on the Bank or the
Executive's performance hereunder; and (iii) the failure to comply with any material obligation
imposed upon the Executive pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that if such failure
under clause (i) or (iii) above is susceptible of cure, "Cause" shall be deemed to exist only after the
failure has remained uncured for thirty (30) days following receipt by the Executive of written
notice from the Bank of the failure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive disagrees with
the good faith determination of the Bank that there is no cure after the 3()-day cure period, the
Executive may request that such determination be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance
with Section 20 hereof (with each party responsible for its own fees and costs). If the Executive
makes such a request for arbitration, the termination of the Executive shall not become effective
unless and until it is upheld by a final decision issued through such arbitration process; provided,
that the Bank shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to relieve the Executive of all or any portion
of his duties during such arbitration period pending the arbitration decision so long as the Bank
continues to pay and provide to the Executive on a timely basis the compensation and benefits that
it would otherwise owe to the Executive during such period under this Agreement.
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(c)
Change in Control
. "Change in Control" shall mean (except as provided below) the
occurrence of an event described in (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) below:
(i) Any person or group (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), other than the Bank, an
affiliate of the Bank or a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit
plan of the Bank or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Bank in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Bank, becomes the beneficial
owner (within the meaning of Rule 13(d)(3) under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly (which
shall include securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or otherwise) of securities
representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Bank's then outstanding securities
entitled generally to vote for the election of directors;
(ii) Consummation of an agreement to merge or consolidate with another entity
(other than a majority-controlled subsidiary of the Bank) unless the Bank's stockholders
immediately before the merger or consolidation own more than 50% of the combined voting
power of the resulting entity's voting securities (giving effect to the conversion or exchange of
securities issued in the merger consolidation to the other entity that are convertible or
exchangeable for voting securities) entitled generally to vote for the election of directors;
(iii) Consummation of an agreement (including, without limitation, an agreement
of liquidation) to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the
Bank (or a subsidiary thereof); or
(iv) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of Directors of
the Bank (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
Board, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election
or nomination for election by the stockholders is approved by a vote of at least a majority of
directors then constituting the Incumbent Board shall be, for purposes of this Agreement,
considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no event shall constitute a Change in Control unless such
event shall also constitute a change in control as defined in Section 409A of the Code, as such term
is hereinafter defined.
(d) Code. "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" shall mean (i) if the Executive's
employment is terminated for Cause, the date on which the Notice of Termination is given, and (ii)
if the Executive's employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in such Notice
of Termination.
(f) Disability. "Disability" shall mean the Executive (i) is unable to engage in any
substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment
which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not
less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental
impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous
period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less
than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer.
(g) Good Reason. Termination by the Executive of the Executive's employment for
"Good Reason" shall mean termination by the Executive based on:
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(i) any material breach of this Agreement by the Employer, including without
limitation any of the following: (A) a material diminution in the Executive's base compensation,
(B) a material diminution in the Executive's authority, duties or responsibilities, or (C) any
requirement that the Executive report to a corporate officer or employee of the Bank instead of
reporting directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer, other than from time to time with
respect to specified matters, or
(ii) change in excess of twenty-five (25) miles in the geographic location at
which the Executive must perform his services under this Agreement;
provided, however, that prior to any termination of employment for Good Reason, the Executive
must first provide written notice to the Bank within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the
condition, describing the existence of such condition, and the Bank shall thereafter have the right
to remedy the condition within thirty (30) days of the date the Bank received the notice from the
Executive. If the Bank remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Good
Reason shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition. If the Bank does not remedy the
condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then the Executive may deliver a Notice of
Termination for Good Reason at any time within sixty (60) days following the expiration of such
cure period.
(h) Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of the Executive's employment
by the Employer for any reason, including without limitation for Cause, Disability or Retirement,
or by the Executive for any reason, including without limitation for Good Reason, shall be
communicated by a "Notice of Termination" to the other party hereto. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a dated notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) 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, (iii) specifies a Date of Termination, which shall be not less than thirty
(30) nor more than ninety (90) days after such Notice of Te rmination is given, except in the case
of the termination of the Executive's employment for Cause, which shall be effective immediately,
and (iv) is given in the manner specified in Section 1 1 hereof.
(i) Retirement. "Retirement" shall mean the Executive's voluntary or involuntary
termination of employment, as applicable, upon reaching at least age 65, but shall not include an
involuntary termination for Cause.
2.
Te
rm of Employment.
(a) The Bank hereby employs the Executive as Senior Vice President and General
Counsel and the Executive xxxxxx accepts said employment and agrees to render such services to
the Employer on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The term of employment
under this Agreement shall be for three years beginning on the Effective Date (the "Initial Tern").
Not less than sixty (60) days prior to the second annual anniversary of the Effective Date and each
annual anniversary thereafter, the Board of Directors of the Bank shall consider and review (with
appropriate corporate documentation thereof, and after taking into account all relevant factors,
including the Executive's performance hereunder) a one-year extension of the tern of this
Agreement. If the Board of Directors approves such an extension, then the term of this Agreement
shall be so extended as of the relevant annual anniversary of the Effective Date unless the Executive
gives written notice to the Employer of the Executive's election not to extend the term, with such
written notice to be given not less than sixty (60) days prior to any such relevant annual anniversary
of the Effective Date. If the Board of Directors elects not to extend the tern, it shall give written
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notice of such decision to the Executive as soon as the decision is made but in no case no less than
sixty (60) days prior to any such annual anniversary of the Effective Date. If any party gives timely
notice that the term will not be extended as of any annual anniversary of the Effective Date, then
this Agreement and the rights and obligations provided herein shall terminate at the conclusion of
its remaining term, except to the extent set forth in Section 7. References herein to the term of this
Agreement shall refer both to the Initial Term and successive terms.
(b) During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall perform such executive
services for the Bank as may be consistent with his titles and from time to time assigned to him by
the Bank's Board of Directors and/or the President and Chief Executive Officer.
3. Compensation and Benefits.
(a) The Employer shall compensate and pay the Executive for his services during the
term of this Agreement at a minimum base salary of $200,000 per year ("Base Salary"), which may
be increased from time to time in such amounts as may be determined by the President and Chief
Executive Officer or the Board of Directors of the Employer and may not be decreased without the
Executive's express written consent.
(b) The Bank shall pay Executive a retention bonus (the "Retention Bonus") in the
amount of $150,000 in the first payroll period following Xxxxxx l, 2022; provided, however, that
in the event that Executive resigns Executive's employment with the Bank without Good Reason
or is terminated by the Bank for Cause prior to August l, 2022, Executive shall forfeit the Retention
Bonus in full. The Bank shall deduct from the Retention Bonus all amounts required to be deducted
or withheld under applicable law.
(c) In addition to his Base Salary, the Executive shall be entitled to receive during the
term of this Agreement such bonus payments ("Bonus") as may be determined by the Board of
Directors of the Employer.
(d) During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in
and receive the benefits of any pension or other retirement benefit plan, profit sharing, stock
incentive, or other plans, benefits and privileges given to employees and executives of the
Employer, to the extent commensurate with his then duties and responsibilities, as fixed by the
Board of Directors of the Bank. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of
medical and dental insurance benefits offered to or provided by the Bank to the Executive, he will
be treated as if he were an Executive Vice President of the Bank. The Bank shall not make any
changes in such plans, benefits or privileges which would adversely affect the Executive's rights or
benefits thereunder, unless such change occurs pursuant to a program applicable to all executive
officers of the Employer and does not result in a proportionately greater adverse change in the
rights of or benefits to the Executive as compared with any other executive officer of the Employer.
Nothing paid to the Executive under any plan or arrangement presently in effect or made available
in the future shall be deemed to be in lieu of the salary payable to the Executive pursuant to Section
3(a) hereof.
(e) During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks
of paid annual vacation, on a calendar basis, to be taken at such time or times agreed upon by the
Executive and the President and Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the Executive shall be entitled
to six (6) days of personal/sick leave per calendar year. The Executive shall not be entitled to
receive any additional compensation from the Employer for failure to take a vacation or use his
personal/sick leave, nor shall the Executive be able to accumulate unused vacation time or unused
personal/sick leave from one year to the next, except to the extent authorized by the President and
Chief Executive Officer.
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(f) The Board of Directors will grant to the Executive (pursuant to a written grant
agreement) non-qualified stock options to purchase one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000)
shares of common stock of the Bank (the "Option Grant"), with an exercise price per share equal
to the Fair Market Value, as such term is defined in the Bank's Amended and Restated 2015 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "2015 Equity Incentive Plan"), with such options to be designed in a manner to
cause them to be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code under Section 1.409A-
1 (b)(5)(i)(A) of the United States Department of the Treasury Regulations. This grant shall vest as
follows: options covering 50,000 shares of common stock of the Bank shall vest on August 1, 2021;
options covering 50,000 shares of common stock of the Bank shall vest on August 1,
2022; and options covering 50,000 shares of common stock of the Bank shall vest on August 1,
2023. Options may be exercised after they become vested and prior to the expiration of the term of
the options, provided such exercise does not constitute an "ownership change" for the Bank within
the meaning of Section 382 of the Code. In addition to the other vesting dates/events set forth in
such grant, such Option Grant shall provide for accelerated vesting upon a Change in Control. The
other terms of the Option Grant award shall comply with the Bank's 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.
(g) Executive shall receive an automobile allowance at the rate of $750 per month
during the term of this Agreement. This transportation allowance will serve to cover all
transportation expenses of Executive in the South Florida area including, but not limited to,
transportation, gas and car maintenance.
4.
Expenses. The Employer shall reimburse the Executive or otherwise provide for or
pay for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in furtherance of or in connection with
the business of the Employer, including, but not by way of limitation, travel expenses, and all
reasonable entertainment expenses, subject to such reasonable documentation and other limitations
as may be established by the Board of Directors of the Bank. If such expenses are paid in the first
instance by the Executive, the Employer shall reimburse the Executive therefor. Such
reimbursement shall be paid promptly by the Bank and in any event no later than March 15
th
of the
year immediately following the year in which such expenses were incurred.
5. Termination.
(a) The Employer shall have the right, at any time upon prior Notice of Termination, to
terminate the Executive's employment hereunder for any reason, including, without limitation,
termination for Cause, Disability or Retirement, and the Executive shall have the right, upon prior
Notice of Termination, to terminate his employment hereunder for any reason.
(b) In the event that (i) the Executive's employment is terminated by the Employer for
Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Disability,
Retirement, death or Good Reason, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement
to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination.
(c) In the event that the Executive's employment is terminated as a result of Disability
or Retirement, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or
other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination.
(d) In the event that the Executive's employment is terminated due to death during the
term of this Agreement, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement for
compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination except to
pay to the Executive's designated beneficiary (or estate or his personal representative, as the case
may be, if no beneficiary has been designated) (i) that portion, if any, of the Base Salary that
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remains unpaid for the period prior to the date of his death, (ii) the pro rata portion of the Retention
Bonus earned as of the Date of Termination to the extent not yet fully vested and paid prior thereto
and (iii) a lump sum cash payment equal to one-half (1/2) of the Executive's Base Salary, plus the
continuation of medical and dental benefits for his then spouse and/or dependents at the Bank's
expense for a period of six (6) months after the date of his death. Upon the Executive's death, he
shall vest in any outstanding unvested options granted under the Option Award pursuant to Section
3(f) (and the terms of the awards granted under Section 3(f) shall so provide).
(e) In the event that prior to a Change in Control the Executive's employment is
terminated by (i) the Employer for other than Cause, Disability, Retirement or the Executive's death
during the term of this Agreement or (ii) the Executive for Good Reason during the term of this
Agreement, then the Employer shall, in consideration of the Executive's agreements in Section 7
below and subject to the provisions of Sections 5(g), 5(h), 6, 18 and 19 hereof, if applicable, pay
to the Executive a cash severance amount equal to the aggregate of (A) 50% of the Executive's then
current annual Base Salary, (B) the pro rata portion of the Retention Bonus earned as of the Date
of Termination to the extent not yet fully vested and paid prior thereto and (C) the amount accrued
with respect to the Bonus for the year in which the termination occurs (the "Severance Payment").
The Severance Payment shall be paid in two installments. The first payment consisting of 50% of
the Severance Payment will be paid in a lump sum thirty (30) days following the later of the Date
of Termination or the expiration of the revocation period provided for in the general release to be
executed by the Executive pursuant to Section 5(g) below with the remaining 50% of the Severance
Payment to be paid in a lump sum within ten (10) days after the expiration of the Restricted Period
as set forth in Section 7 hereof. In addition, the Executive shall receive continued medical and
dental benefits as provided by the Bank from time to time for its employees, at the Bank's expense,
for the period of time equal to the shorter of one (1) year or the maximum period of COBRA
continuation coverage provided under Section 4980B(f) of the Code (with such coverage to be
treated as COBRA coverage). With respect to the Bank's payment of Executive's COBRA
expenses, the Bank will pay to the Executive an additional amount such that after payment by the
Executive of all applicable local, state and federal income and payroll taxes imposed on him with
respect to such additional amount, the Executive retains an amount equal to all applicable local,
state and federal income and payroll taxes imposed upon him with respect to such COBRA
payments. Such payment shall be made on or before March 15
th
following the close of the calendar
year in which the COBRA payments were made. Except as provided herein, the Severance Payment
shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any Base Salary or other compensation or benefits that
would have been paid under Sections 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d) and 3(e) above in the absence of a
termination of employment, and the Executive shall have no rights pursuant to this Agreement to
any Base Salary or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination.
(D In the event that concurrently with or within twelve (12) months subsequent to a Change
in Control the Executive's employment is terminated by (i) the Employer for other than Cause,
Disability, Retirement or the Executive's death during the term of this Agreement or (ii) the
Executive for Good Reason during the term of this Agreement, then the Employer shall, in
consideration of the Executive's agreements in Section 7 below and subject to the provisions of
Sections 5(g), 5(h), 6, 18 and 19 hereof, if applicable, pay to the Executive a cash severance amount
equal to the aggregate of (A) one (1) times the Executive's then current annual Base Salary and (B)
the full amount of the Retention Bonus to the extent the Retention Bonus has not yet fully vested
and been paid prior to the Date of Termination (the "Enhanced Severance Payment"). The
Enhanced Severance Payment shall be paid in two installments. The first payment consisting of
50% of the Enhanced Severance Payment will be paid in a lump sum thirty (30) days following the
later of the Date of Termination or the expiration of the revocation period provided for in the
general release to be executed by the Executive pursuant to Section 5(g) below with the remaining
50% of the Enhanced Severance Payment to be paid in a lump sum within ten (10) days after the
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expiration of the Restricted Period as set forth in Section 7 hereof. In addition, the Executive shall
receive continued medical and dental benefits as provided by the Bank from time to time for its
employees, at the Bank's expense, for the period of time equal to the shorter of eighteen (18) months
or the maximum period of COBRA continuation coverage provided under Section 4980B(f) of the
Code (with such coverage to be treated as COBRA coverage). With respect to the Bank's payment
of Executive's COBRA expenses, the Bank will pay to the Executive an additional amount such
that after payment by the Executive of all applicable local, state and federal income and payroll
taxes imposed on him with respect to such additional amount, the Executive retains an amount
equal to all applicable local, state and federal income and payroll taxes imposed upon him with
respect to such COBRA payments. Such payment shall be made on or before March 15
th
following
the close of the calendar year in which the COBRA payments were made. Except as provided
herein, the Enhanced Severance Payment shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any Base Salary
or other compensation or benefits that would have been paid under Sections 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d)
and 3(e) above in the absence of a termination of employment, and the Executive shall have no
rights pursuant to this Agreement to any Base Salary or other benefits for any period after the
applicable Date of Termination.
(g) The Executive's right to receive the severance benefits set forth in Sections 5(e) and
5(f) above shall be conditioned upon the Executive's execution of a general release which releases
the Employer and their directors, officers and employees from any claims that the Executive may
have under various laws and regulations and the expiration of any right the Executive may have to
revoke such general release, with such revocation right not being exercised. If either the time period
for paying the severance set forth in Sections 5(e) or 5(f), as applicable, or the time period that the
Executive has to consider the terns of the general release (including any revocation period under
such release) commences in one calendar year and ends in the succeeding calendar year, then the
severance payment set forth in Sections 5(e) or 5(f), as applicable, above shall not be paid until the
succeeding calendar year.
(h) If, prior to the Executive's receipt of the Severance Payment or the Enhanced
Severance Payment set forth in Sections 5(e) or 5(f), as applicable, respectively, above due to his
termination of employment (including termination for Good Reason) and at such time the Bank is
deemed to be in 'troubled condition" as defined in 12 C.F.R. 5303.101 (c), it is determined that the
Executive (i) committed any fraudulent act or omission, breach of trust or fiduciary duty, or insider
abuse with regard to the Employer that has had or is likely to have a material adverse effect on the
Employer, (ii) is substantially responsible for the insolvency of, the appointment of a conservator
or receiver for, or the troubled condition, as defined by applicable regulations of the appropriate
federal banking agency, of the Employer, (iii) has materially violated any applicable federal or state
banking law or regulation that has had or is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Employer,
or (iv) has violated or conspired to violate Sections 215, 656, 657, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1014, 1302
or 1344 of Title 18 of the United State code, or Sections 1341 or 1343 of Title 18 affecting the
Bank, then the Severance Payment or the Enhanced Severance Payment, as applicable, shall not be
provided to the Executive. If it is determined after the Executive receives the Severance Payment
or the Enhanced Severance Payment, as applicable, that any of the matters set forth in clauses (i)
through (iv) of this Section 5(h) are applicable to the Executive, then the Executive shall promptly
(and in any event within ten (10) business days following written notice to the Executive) return
an amount equal to the Severance Payment or the Enhanced Severance Payment, as applicable, to
the Employer in immediately available funds.
6.
Limitation of Benefits under Certain Circumstances. If the payment pursuant to
Section hereof, either alone or together with other payments and benefits which the Executive has
the right to receive from the Employer, would constitute a "parachute payment" under Section
280G of the Code, then the amount payable by the Employer pursuant to Section 5(d) hereof shall
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be reduced by the minimum amount necessary to result in no portion of the amount payable by the
Employer under Section 5(f) being non-deductible to the Employer pursuant to Section 280G of
the Code and subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code. The determination
of any reduction in the amount payable pursuant to Section 5(d) shall be based upon the opinion of
independent tax counsel selected by the Employer and paid for by the Employer. Such counsel
shall promptly prepare the foregoing opinion, but in no event later than ten (10) days from the Date
of Termination, and may use such actuaries as such counsel deems necessary or advisable for the
purpose. Nothing contained herein shall result in a reduction of any payments or benefits to which
the Executive may be entitled upon termination of employment under any circumstances other than
as specified in this Section 6, or a reduction in the payment specified in Section 5(f) below zero.
7. Restrictive Covenants
(a)
Trade Secrets. The Executive acknowledges that he has had, and will have, access
to confidential information of the Bank (including, but not limited to, current and prospective
confidential know-how, customer lists, marketing plans, business plans, financial and pricing
information, and information regarding acquisitions, mergers and/or joint ventures) concerning the
business, customers, contacts, prospects, and assets of the Bank that is unique, valuable and not
generally known outside the Bank, and that was obtained from the Bank or which was learned as a
result of the performance of services by the Executive on behalf of the Bank ("Trade Secrets").
Trade Secrets shall not include any information that: (i) is now, or hereafter becomes, through no
act or failure to act on the part of the Executive that constitutes a breach of this Section 7, generally
known or available to the public; (ii) is known to the Executive at the time such information was
obtained from the Bank; (iii) is hereafter furnished without restriction on disclosure to the
Executive by a third party, other than an employee or agent of the Bank, who is not under any
obligation of confidentiality to the Bank or an Affiliate; (iv) is disclosed with the written approval
of the Bank; or (v) is required to be disclosed or provided by law, court order, order of any
regulatory agency having jurisdiction or similar compulsion, including pursuant to or in connection
with any legal proceeding involving the parties hereto; provided however, that such disclosure shall
be limited to the extent so required or compelled; and provided further, however, that if the
Executive is required to disclose such confidential information, he shall give the Bank notice of
such disclosure and cooperate in seeking suitable protections. Other than in the course of
performing services for the Bank, the Executive will not, at any time, directly or indirectly use,
divulge, furnish or make accessible to any person any Trade Secrets, but instead will keep all Trade
Secrets strictly and absolutely confidential. The Executive will deliver promptly to the Bank, at the
termination of his employment or at any other time at the request of the Employer, without retaining
any copies, all documents and other materials in his possession relating, directly or indirectly, to
any Trade Secrets.
(b)
Non-Competition. If the Executive's employment is terminated during the term of
this Agreement for Cause or without Cause, before or after a Change in Control, or the Executive
terminates his employment hereunder other than for Disability during the term of the Agreement,
then for a period of twelve (12) months after termination of employment (the "Restricted Period"),
the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, (i) become a director, officer, employee, principal,
agent, shareholder, consultant or independent contractor of any insured depository institution, trust
company or parent holding company of any such institution or company or other entity engaging
in the banking business which has an office in the State of Florida ("Competing Business"); (ii) as
agent or principal, carrying on or engaging in any activities or negotiations with respect to the
acquisition or disposition of a Competing Business; (iii) extending credit for the purpose of
establishing or operating a Competing Business; (iv) lending or allowing the Executive's name or
reputation to be used in a Competing Business; and (v) otherwise allowing the Executive's skill,
knowledge or experience to be used in a Competing Business. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
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nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Executive from owning for passive investment
purposes not intended to circumvent this Agreement, less than five percent (5%) of the publicly
traded voting securities of any company engaged in the banking, financial services or other business
similar to or competitive with the Employer (so long as the Executive has no power to manage,
operate, advise, consult with or control the competing enterprise and no power, alone or in
conjunction with other affiliated parties, to select a director, manager, general partner, or similar
governing official of the competing enterprise other than in connection with the normal and
customary voting powers afforded the Executive in connection with any permissible equity
ownership).
(c)
Non-Solicitation of Employees. During the Restricted Period, without the written
consent of the Bank, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce or hire, or attempt
to solicit, induce or hire, any current employee of the Employer, or any individual who becomes
an employee during the Restricted Period, to leave his or her employment with the Employer or
join or become affiliated with any other business or entity, or in any way interfere with the
employment relationship between any employee and the Employer.
(d)
Non-Solicitation of Customers. During the Restricted Period, without the written
consent of the Bank, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit or induce, or attempt to
solicit or induce, any customer, any person being then solicited by the Bank to be a customer,
lender, supplier, licensee, licensor or other business relation of the Employer to terminate its
relationship or contract with the Employer, to cease doing business with the Employer, or in any
way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, lender, supplier, licensee or
business relation and the Employer (including making any negative or derogatory statements or
communications concerning the Employer or its directors, officers or employees).
(e) Intellectual Property. Executive will disclose to Employer all work, products
including ideas, inventions, literary property, music, lyrics, scripts, themes, slogans, titles, copy,
art and any other relevant material which could reasonably be used by Employer or any of its clients
(herein collectively called "Intellectual Property") which he may create any time during the term
of employment, whether created during or after working hours. Employer and Executive agree that
all Intellectual Property shall be deemed to be "works made for hire" and the sole property of
Employer. Executive agrees to execute and deliver all documents which Employer may deem
necessary or advisable in order to confirm such ownership or to register Intellectual Property in the
name of Employer or any of its clients in the United States and all foreign countries.
(f) Non-Disparagement. The Executive agrees that he shall not make, or cause to be
made, any disparaging or critical remarks, comments or statements about or against the Bank or its
subsidiaries or affiliates or any director, officer, employee or customer of any such entities at any
time in the future, except for any statements by him made pursuant to lawful subpoena or legal
process. Executive acknowledges that the Employer's reputation and image in the market is one of
its principal assets and that Employer has expended substantial time, effort and money in building
this reputation and image and that, accordingly, any action or comment by the Executive which is
damaging to or in any way diminishes such image or reputation will cause Employer irreparable
injury.
(g) Irreparable Harm. The Executive acknowledges that: (i) the Executive's compliance
with Section 7 of this Agreement is necessary to preserve and protect the proprietary rights, Trade
Secrets, and the goodwill of the Employer as a going concern, and (ii) any failure by the Executive
to comply with the provisions of this Agreement will result in irreparable and continuing injury for
which there will be no adequate remedy at law. In the event that the Executive fails to comply with
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the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the obligations of the Employer to pay the severance
benefits set forth in Section 5 shall cease, and the Employer will be entitled, in addition to other
relief that may be proper, to all types of equitable relief (including, but not limited to, the issuance
of an injunction and/or temporary restraining order and the recoupment of any severance previously
paid) that may be necessary to cause the Executive to comply with this Agreement, to restore to
the Employer their property, and to make the Employer whole.
(h)
Survival
. The provisions set forth in this Section 7 shall survive the termination of
this Agreement.
(i) Scope Limitations. If the scope, period of time or area of restriction specified in this
Section 7 are or would be judged to be unreasonable in any court proceeding, then the period of
time, scope or area of restriction will be reduced or limited in the manner and to the extent necessary
to make the restriction reasonable, so that the restriction may be enforced in those areas, during the
period of time and in the scope that are or would be judged to be reasonable.
8. Mitigation; Exclusivity of Benefits.
(a) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any benefits hereunder
by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any such benefits be reduced
by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer after
the Date of Termination or otherwise.
(b) The specific arrangements referred to herein are not intended to exclude any other
benefits which may be available to the Executive upon a termination of employment with the
Employer pursuant to employee benefit plans of the Employer or otherwise.
9.
Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Employer hereunder to the
Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax and other
payroll deductions as the Employer may reasonably determine should be withheld pursuant to any
applicable law or regulation.
10.
Assignability. The Bank may assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations
hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any corporation, bank or other entity with or into which the
Bank may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which the Bank may transfer all or substantially all
of its assets, if in any such case said corporation, bank or other entity shall by operation of law or
expressly in writing assume all obligations of the Employer hereunder as fully as if it had been
originally made a party hereto, but may not otherwise assign this Agreement or their rights and
obligations hereunder. The Executive may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or
obligations hereunder.
11.
Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
when delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed to the respective addresses set forth below:
U.S. Century Bank
2301 N.W. 87
th
Avenue Doral,
Florida 33172
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At the address last appearing on the
personnel records of the Employer
12.
Amendment; Waiver. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or
discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the
Executive and such officer or officers as may be specifically designated by the Board of Directors
of the Employer to sign on their behalf. 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.
Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States where applicable and otherwise by
the substantive laws of the State of Florida.
14.
Nature of Obligations. Nothing contained herein shall create or require the Employer
to create a trust of any kind to fund any benefits which may be payable hereunder, and to the extent
that the Executive acquires a right to receive benefits from the Employer hereunder, such right shall
be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Employer.
15.
Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
16.
Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall
remain in full force and effect.
17.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the
same instrument.
18.
Regulatory Actions. The following provisions shall be applicable to the parties
hereto or any successor thereto, and shall be controlling in the event of a conflict with any other
provision of this Agreement, including without limitation Section 5 hereof.
If the Executive is suspended from office and/or temporarily prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs pursuant to notice served under Section 8(e)(3) or
Section of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act U.S.C. and 1818(g)(1)),
the Bank's obligations under this Agreement shall be suspended as of the date of service, unless
stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Bank will: (i) pay
the Executive all or part of the compensation withheld while its obligations under this Agreement
were suspended, and (ii) reinstate (in whole or in part) any of its obligations which were suspended.
(b) If the Executive is removed from office and/or permanently prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e)(4) or Section
8(g)(1) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. 1818(e)(4) and (g)(l)), all obligations of the Bank under this
Agreement shall terminate as of the effective date of the order, but vested rights of the Executive
and the Bank as of the date of termination shall not be affected.
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If the Bank is in default, as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C.
all obligations under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default, but vested rights of
the Executive and the Bank as of the date of termination shall not be affected.
19. Regulatory Prohibition. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, are subject
to and conditioned upon their compliance with Section 18(k) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. S1828(k))
and 12 C.F.R. Part 359.
20, Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out ofor relating to this Agreement, or the
breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration before a single arbitrator in accordance with the rules
then existing under the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration
Association ("AAA") conducted at the district office of the AAA located nearest to the home office
of the Bank, and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof, except to the extent that the parties may otherwise reach a mutual settlement of such issue.
Each party to the arbitration shall bear its own expenses.
21. Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the
Employer and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein. All prior agreements
between the Employer and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein are hereby
superseded and shall have no force or effect.
Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written
above.