EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the 29th day of February 2024, to be effective as of the Effective Date as defined in Section 19 below, by and between Fifth District Savings Bank, a federally chartered savings bank (the “Bank”) and Xxxxxxx Xxxxx (the “Executive”). Any reference to the “Company” shall mean Fifth District Bancorp, Inc., the proposed holding company of the Bank.
WHEREAS, the Executive is presently serving as the Vice President/Chief Financial Officer of the Bank; and
WHEREAS, the Bank desires to continue to employ the Executive in an executive capacity in the conduct of its businesses, and the Executive desires to be so employed on the terms contained in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
2. TERM.
3. COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REIMBURSEMENT.
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4. | TERMINATION AND TERMINATION PAY. |
Subject to Section 5 of this Agreement, which governs the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Executive’s employment under this Agreement will terminate under the circumstances set forth in this Section 4.
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(i) the conviction of the Executive of a felony or of any lesser criminal offense involving moral turpitude (other than for traffic violations);
(ii) the willful commission by the Executive of a criminal or other act that, in the judgment of the Board of Directors will likely cause substantial economic damage to the Company, the Bank or any affiliate or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Company, the Bank or any affiliate;
(iii) the commission by the Executive of an act of fraud in the performance of the Executive’s duties on behalf of the Company, the Bank or any subsidiary;
(iv) the continuing willful failure of the Executive to perform the Executive’s duties to the Company, the Bank or any affiliate (other than any failure resulting from the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness or the Executive declining to perform any assigned duties to the extent such assignment or duties would constitute a violation of law) after written notice thereof;
(v) a material breach by the Executive of the Bank’s or the Company’s Code of Ethics; or
(vi) an order of a federal or state regulatory agency or a court of competent jurisdiction requiring the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Bank or the Company.
Any determination of Cause under this Agreement will be made by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors at a meeting called and held for that purpose. The Executive will be provided with reasonable notice of the meeting and the Executive will be given an opportunity to be heard before a vote is taken by the disinterested members of the Board of Directors regarding the termination of employment.
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(f) Termination Without Cause or With Good Reason.
(i) | The Board of Directors may immediately terminate the Executive’s employment at any time for a reason other than Cause (a termination “Without Cause”), and the Executive may, by written notice to the Board of Directors, terminate the Executive’s employment at any time within ninety (90) days following an event constituting “Good Reason” (a termination “With Good Reason”); provided, however, that the Bank will have thirty (30) days to cure the “Good Reason” condition, but the Bank may waive its right to cure. In the event of a termination of employment described under this Section 4(f)(i) during the Term and subject to the requirements of Section 4(f)(iii), the Bank will pay or provide the Executive the following: |
(A) any Accrued Obligations;
(B) a cash payment equal to the greater of: (i) remaining Base Salary and total annual incentive bonus opportunity (based on the highest bonus earned by the Executive for the three most recently completed calendar years prior to the Executive’s Date of Termination) that would have been paid to the Executive during the remaining Term of the Agreement; or (ii) two (2) times the sum of Base Salary and the average total annual incentive bonus paid to Executive for the three most recently completed calendar years prior to the Executive’s Date of Termination; in either case payable in a lump sum within sixty (60) days of the Executive’s Date of Termination; and
(C) an amount equal to the cost of any continued health care coverage that could be provided in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) (regardless of whether the Executive elects coverage under COBRA) for eighteen (18) months.
(ii) “Good Reason” exists if, without the Executive’s express written consent, any of the following occur:
(A) | a material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary and/or aggregate incentive compensation opportunities under the Bank’s annual and long-term incentive plans or programs, as applicable; notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bank or Company may eliminate and/or modify existing employee benefit, retirement, or fringe benefit plans and coverage levels on a consistent and non-discriminatory basis applicable to all executive officers; |
(B) | a material reduction in the Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities from the position and attributes associated with the Executive Position; |
(C) | the failure to re-appoint the Executive to the Executive Position set forth under Section 1(a), or a failure to nominate and recommend the election of the Executive to the Board of Directors of the Company or to appoint or nominate and elect the Executive to the Board of Directors of the Bank; |
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(D) | a relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment by more than thirty (30) miles from the Bank’s main office; or |
(E) | a material breach of this Agreement by the Bank. |
(iii) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 4(f)(i), the Executive will not receive any payments or benefits under Sections 4(f)(i)(B) or 4(f)(i)(C) unless and until the Executive executes a release of claims (the “Release”) against the Bank and any affiliate, and their officers, directors, successors and assigns, releasing said persons from any and all claims, rights, demands, causes of action, suits, arbitrations or grievances relating to the employment relationship, including claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, but not including claims for benefits under tax-qualified plans or other benefit plans in which the Executive is vested, claims for benefits required by applicable law or claims with respect to obligations set forth in this Agreement that survive the termination of this Agreement. The Release must be executed and become irrevocable by the 60th day following the Date of Termination, provided that if the 60-day period spans two (2) calendar years, then, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”), the payments and benefits described in this Section 4(f) will be paid, or commence, in the second calendar year. |
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5. | CHANGE IN CONTROL. |
(i) | A change in the ownership of a Corporation occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B)), acquires ownership of stock of the Corporation that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than fifty (50) percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Corporation. |
(ii) | A change in the effective control of the Corporation occurs on the date that either (A) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5)(vi)(D)) acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the Corporation possessing thirty (30) percent or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Corporation, or (B) a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Corporation is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the board of directors prior to the date of the appointment or election, provided that this subsection “(B)” is inapplicable where a majority stockholder of the Corporation is another corporation. |
(iii) | A change in a substantial portion of the Corporation’s assets occurs on the date that any one person or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5)(vii)(C)) acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Corporation that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than forty (40) percent of the total gross fair market value of (A) all of the assets of the Corporation, or (B) the value of the assets being disposed of, either of which is determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. |
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For all purposes hereunder, the definition of Change in Control shall be construed to be consistent with the requirements of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5), except to the extent that such regulations are superseded by subsequent guidance.
For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Change in Control will not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Agreement as a result of the mutual-to-stock conversion of the Bank (the “Conversion”) and the establishment of the Company.
(i) | any Accrued Obligations; |
(ii) | a cash payment (the “Change in Control Severance”) equal to two (2) times the sum of: (A) the Executive’s Base Salary at the Date of Termination (or the Executive’s Base Salary in effect during any of the prior three years, if higher); and (B) the average annual total incentive bonus earned by the Executive for three (3) most recently completed calendar years prior to the Change Control, or if greater, the annual total incentive bonus that would have been earned in the year of the Change of Control at target bonus opportunity; which cash payment shall be paid in a lump sum within thirty (30) days of the Executive’s Date of Termination; and |
(iii) | an amount equal to the cost of any continued health care coverage that could be provided in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) (regardless of whether the Executive elects coverage under COBRA) for eighteen (18) months. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payments and benefits provided in this Section 5(b) will be payable to the Executive in lieu of any payments or benefits that are payable under Section 4(f).
(i) | solicit, offer employment to, or take any other action intended (or that a reasonable person acting in like circumstances would expect) to have the effect of causing any officer or employee of the Bank, or any of its respective subsidiaries or affiliates, to terminate his or her employment with the Bank and/or accept employment with another employer; or |
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(ii) | solicit, provide any information, advice or recommendation or take any other action intended (or that a reasonable person acting in like circumstances would expect) to have the effect of causing any customer of the Bank to terminate an existing business or commercial relationship with the Bank. |
Except as otherwise provided for in Section 18, for purposes of this Section 6, the “Restricted Period” will be: (i) at all times during Executive’s period of employment with the Bank; and (ii) during the period beginning on Executive’s Date of Termination and ending on the one-year anniversary of the Date of Termination; provided, however, that the restrictions shall not apply following a Change in Control except as provided for in Section 18.
For purposes of this Section 6, the term “Restricted Area” includes the Louisiana Parishes of Orleans, Jefferson and St. Tammany.
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All payments provided in this Agreement shall be timely paid by check or direct deposit from the general funds of the Bank (or any successor of the Bank).
8. EFFECT ON EXISTING BENEFITS PLANS.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior employment agreement between the Bank or any predecessor of the Bank and the Executive, except that this Agreement shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation inuring to the Executive under another plan, program or agreement (other than an employment agreement) between the Bank and the Executive.
9. NO ATTACHMENT; BINDING ON SUCCESSORS.
(a) Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to affect any such action shall be null, void, and of no effect.
(b) The Bank shall require any successor or assignee, whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all the business or assets of the Bank, expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Bank’s obligations under this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Bank would be required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place. A successor’s failure to assent to this Agreement following a Change in Control shall be deemed to be a material breach of this Agreement under Section 4(f) hereof.
(a) This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.
(b) No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived, nor shall there be any estoppel against the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, except by written instrument of the party charged with such waiver or estoppel. No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated therein, and each waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of the term or condition for the future as to any act other than that specifically waived.
Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) The Bank may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time, but any termination by the Bank other than termination for Cause shall not prejudice the Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits under this Agreement. The Executive shall have no right to receive compensation or other benefits under this Agreement for any period after the Executive’s termination for Cause, other than the Accrued Obligations.
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(b) In no event shall the Bank (nor any affiliate) be obligated to make any payment pursuant to this Agreement that is prohibited by Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (codified at 12 U.S.C. sec. 1828(k)), 12 C.F.R. Part 359, or any other applicable law.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that a payment or benefit described in this Agreement constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code, and to the extent that the payment or benefit is payable upon the Executive’s termination of employment, then the payments or benefits will be payable only upon the Executive’s “Separation from Service.” For purposes of this Agreement, a “Separation from Service” will have occurred if the Bank and the Executive reasonably anticipate that either no further services will be performed by the Executive after the Date of Termination (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) or the level of further services performed is less than fifty (50) percent of the average level of bona fide services in the thirty-six (36) months immediately preceding the termination. For all purposes hereunder, the definition of Separation from Service shall be interpreted consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(ii).
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is a “Specified Employee” (i.e., a “key employee” of a publicly traded company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder) and any payment under this Agreement is triggered due to the Executive’s Separation from Service, then solely to the extent necessary to avoid penalties under Section 409A of the Code, no payment will be made during the first six (6) months following the Executive’s Separation from Service. Rather, any payment which would otherwise be paid to the Executive during such period shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following the Separation from Service. All subsequent payments shall be paid in the manner specified in this Agreement.
(e) To the extent not specifically provided in this Agreement, any compensation or reimbursements payable to Executive shall be paid or provided no later than two and one-half (2.5) months after the calendar year in which such compensation is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(d).
(f) Each payment pursuant to this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).
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(g) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Executive understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits the Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”) about a possible securities law violation without approval of the Bank (or any affiliate). The Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit the Executive’s ability to communicate with any Government Agency or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Bank (or any affiliate) related to the possible securities law violation. This Agreement does not limit the Executive’s right to receive any resulting monetary award for information provided to any Government Agency. In addition, pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, the Executive understands that an individual may not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made (A) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (B) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding. Further, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the employer's trade secrets to the attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if the individual (y) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (z) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
12. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, then the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect.
13. GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana, but only to the extent not superseded by federal law.
14. ARBITRATION.
In the event that any dispute should arise between the parties as to the meaning, effect, performance, enforcement, or other issue in connection with this Agreement, which dispute cannot be resolved by the parties, the dispute shall be decided by final and binding arbitration of a panel of three arbitrators. Proceedings in arbitration and its conduct shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) applicable to commercial arbitrations (the “Rules”) except as modified by this Section 14. The Executive shall appoint one arbitrator, the Bank shall appoint one arbitrator, and the third shall be appointed by the two arbitrators appointed by the parties. The third arbitrator shall be impartial and shall serve as chairman of the panel. The parties shall appoint their arbitrators within thirty (30) days after the demand for arbitration is served, failing which the AAA promptly shall appoint a defaulting party’s arbitrator, and the two arbitrators shall select the third arbitrator within fifteen (15) days after their appointment, or if they cannot agree or fail to so appoint, then the AAA promptly shall appoint the third arbitrator. The arbitrators shall render their decision in writing within thirty (30) days after the close of evidence or other termination of the proceedings by the panel, and the decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final and binding upon the parties, nonappealable, except in accordance with the Rules and enforceable in accordance with the applicable state law. Any hearings in the arbitration shall be held in Parish of Orleans unless the parties shall agree upon a different venue, and shall be private and not open to the public. Each party shall bear the fees and expenses of its arbitrator, counsel, and witnesses, and the fees and expenses of the third arbitrator shall be shared equally by the parties. The other costs of the arbitration, including the fees of AAA, shall be borne as directed in the decision of the panel. If the Executive is successful on the merits of the dispute, as determined in the arbitration, all legal fees and such other expenses as reasonably incurred by the Executive as a result of or in connection with or arising out of the dispute, shall be paid by the Bank, provided that such payment or reimbursement is made by the Bank not later than two and one-half months after the end of the year in which such dispute is resolved in Executive’s favor.
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15. INDEMNIFICATION.
The Bank will provide the Executive (including the Executive’s heirs, executors and administrators) with coverage under a standard directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy at its expense, and will indemnify the Executive (and the Executive’s heirs, executors and administrators) in accordance with the charter and bylaws of the Bank and to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law against all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by the Executive in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which the Executive may be involved by reason of having been a trustee, director or officer of the Bank or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Bank.
16. TAX Withholding.
The Bank may withhold from any amounts payable to the Executive hereunder all federal, state, local or other taxes that the Bank may reasonably determine are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation (it being understood that Executive is responsible for payment of all taxes in respect of the payments and benefits provided herein).
17. 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 or if sent by facsimile or email, on the date it is actually received.
To the Bank: |
Fifth District Savings Bank 0000 Xxxxxxx XxXxxxxx Xxxxx Attention: Corporate Secretary
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To Executive: |
Most recent address on file with the Bank |
18. TAX MATTERS.
(a) If the Executive’s employment is terminated following a Change in Control, the non-solicitation restrictions set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement shall apply for the period of time mutually agreed to by the parties, and in no event shall the time period be less than six months or exceed two years. The Bank and the Executive hereby recognize that: (i) the non-solicitation restrictions under Sections 6 have value, and (ii) the value shall be recognized in any calculations the Bank and the Executive perform with respect to determining the affect, if any, of the parachute payment provisions of Section 280G of the Code (“Section 280G”), by allocating a portion of any payments, benefits or distributions in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)), including the payments under Section 5(b) of this Agreement, to the fair value of the non-solicitation restrictions under Section 6 of this Agreement (the “Appraised Value”). The Bank, at the Bank’s expense, shall obtain an independent appraisal to determine the Appraised Value no later than forty-five (45) days after entering into an agreement, that if completed, would constitute a Change in Control as defined in Section 5(a). The Appraised Value will be considered reasonable compensation for post change in control services within the meaning of Q&A-40 of the regulations under Section 280G; and accordingly, any aggregate parachute payments, as defined in Section 280G, will be reduced by the Appraised Value.
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(b) After taking into account the Appraised Value, in the event the receipt of all payments, benefits or distributions in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)), whether paid or payable pursuant to Section 5(b) of this Agreement or otherwise (the “Change in Control Benefits”) would subject the Executive to an excise tax imposed by Code Sections 280G and 4999, then the payments and/or benefits payable under this Agreement (the “Payments”) shall be reduced by the minimum amount necessary so that no portion of the Payments under this Agreement are non-deductible to the Bank pursuant to Code Section 280G and subject to the excise tax imposed under Code Section 4999 (the “Reduced Amount”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Payments will not be reduced if it is determined that without such reduction, the Change in Control Benefits received by the Executive on a net after-tax basis (including without limitation, any excise taxes payable under Code Section 4999) is greater than the Change in Control Benefits that the Executive would receive, on a net after-tax benefit, if the Executive is paid the Reduced Amount under the Agreement.
(c) Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, all calculations with respect to Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code required under this Section 18 shall be determined by a nationally recognized firm with appropriate expertise mutually agreeable to the Bank and the Executive (the “Firm”) whose determination will be conclusive and binding on all parties. The Bank shall pay all fees charged by the Firm for this purpose. The Bank and the Executive shall provide the Firm with all information or documents it reasonably requests, and the Firm will be entitled to rely on such information and on reasonable estimates and assumptions and interpretations of the provisions of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. If it is determined that the Payments should be reduced as a result of the Section 280G calculations performed by the Firm, the Bank shall promptly give (or cause the Firm to give) the Executive notice to that effect (and a copy of the detailed calculations thereof) and, to the extent consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Executive may determine which benefits are to be reduced. All determinations made under this Section 18 shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable and in no event later than ten (10) days prior to the Date of Termination.
19. Effective Date.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
FIFTH DISTRICT SAVINGS BANK | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |
Title: | Compensation Committee Chairman | |
EXECUTIVE | ||
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx |
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