Exhibit 99.1
EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE
OF CONTROL AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT
AND CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) shall be deemed to be made and entered as of the 30th
day of March, 2015, by and among NewBridge Bancorp, a North Carolina corporation (“Bancorp”), NewBridge Bank,
a North Carolina commercial bank (the “Bank”) (Bancorp and the Bank are collectively referred to as the “Employer”),
and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx (“Executive”).
BACKGROUND
WHEREAS, the expertise
and experience of Executive, and Executive’s relationships and reputation in the financial institutions industry are extremely
valuable to the Employer; and
WHEREAS, it is in the
best interests of the Employer to maintain an experienced and sound executive management team to manage the Employer and to further
the Employer’s overall strategies to protect and enhance the value of its shareholders’ investments; and
WHEREAS, the Employer
and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement to establish the scope, terms and conditions of Executive’s continued employment
by the Employer
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Effective
Date. The effective time and date of this Agreement shall be deemed to be 12:00:01 o’clock, a.m., on the 30th
day of March, 2015 (the “Effective Date”).
2. Definitions.
The following defined terms are defined in the referenced Sections of this Agreement.
Term |
|
Section |
Accrued Obligations |
|
Section 8(a)(i)(A) |
Base Salary |
|
Section 6(a) |
Bancorp Board |
|
Section 7(b) |
Bank Board |
|
Section 6(a) |
Bank Group |
|
Section 12(a) |
Benefit Plans |
|
Section 6(c) |
Business |
|
Section 12(a) |
Cause |
|
Section 7(b) |
Change of Control |
|
Section 9(b) |
Change of Control Termination |
|
Section 9(a) |
Change of Control Termination Date |
|
Section 9(a) |
Code |
|
Section 4 |
Continuing Period |
|
Section 9(c)(ii) |
Commissioner |
|
Section 14(d) |
Covered Person |
|
Section 12(b) |
Date of Termination |
|
Section 7(g) |
Disability |
|
Section 7(a) |
Disability Effective Date |
|
Section 7(a) |
Effective Date |
|
Section 1 |
Employment Period |
|
Section 4 |
FDIC |
|
Section 14(d) |
Good Reason |
|
Section 7(c) |
Group |
|
Section 9(b) |
Incumbent Director |
|
Section 9(b) |
ISOs |
|
Section 8(b) |
1934 Act |
|
Section 9(b) |
Notice of Termination |
|
Section 7(f) |
NSOs |
|
Section 8(b) |
Other Benefits |
|
Section 8(b) |
Person |
|
Section 9(b) |
Reform Act |
|
Section 16(g) |
Remaining Employment Period |
|
Section 8(a)(i)(B) |
Restricted Period |
|
Section 12(a) |
Rules |
|
Section 12(e) |
Section 409A |
|
Section 4 |
Terminate |
|
Section 4 |
Termination without Cause |
|
Section 7(d) |
UST |
|
Section 17 |
Voluntary Termination |
|
Section 7(e) |
Welfare Benefit Plans |
|
Section 6(d) |
3. Employment.
Executive is employed as the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bancorp and the Bank. Executive’s
responsibilities, duties, prerogatives and authority in such executive offices, and the clerical, administrative and other support
staff and office facilities provided to him, shall be those customary for persons holding such executive offices of institutions
that are a part of the financial institutions industry.
4. Employment
Period. Unless earlier Terminated in accordance with Sections 7 or 9 hereof, Executive’s employment shall be for a 36
month term beginning as of the Effective Date (the “Employment Period”). For purposes of this Agreement, “Terminate”
(and variations and derivatives thereof) shall mean, when used in connection with a cessation of employment, that Executive has
incurred a separation from service as defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”),
and guidance and regulations issued thereunder (“Section 409A”).
5. Extent
of Service. During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of
vacation, sick or other leave to which
Executive is entitled under this Agreement, Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time to the business and affairs
of Employer commensurate with Executive’s offices, and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned
to Executive hereunder, to use Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently Executive’s
responsibilities and duties under this Agreement.
6. Compensation
and Benefits.
(a) Base
Salary. During the Employment Period, the Employer will pay to Executive a base salary at the rate of at least $310,000 per
year (“Base Salary”), less normal withholdings, payable in equal monthly or more frequent installments as are
customary under the Bank’s payroll practices from time to time. In accordance with the policies and procedures of the Board
of Directors of the Bank (the “Bank Board”), the Employer shall review Executive’s total compensation
at least annually and in its sole discretion may adjust Executive’s total compensation from year to year, but during the
Employment Period the Employer may not decrease Executive’s Base Salary below $310,000; provided further, however, that periodic
increases in Base Salary, once granted, shall not be subject to revocation. The annual review of Executive’s total compensation
will consider, among other things, changes in the cost of living, Executive’s own performance and Bancorp’s consolidated
performance.
(b) Incentive
Plans. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled (i) to participate in all of executive management incentive
plans of the Employer, and any successor or substitute plans; (ii) to participate in long-term incentive plans of the Employer,
and any successor or substitute plans; and, (iii) to participate in all stock option, stock grant and similar plans of the Employer,
and any successor or substitute plans, in each of the foregoing cases in at least as favorable a manner as any participant who
is a member of the senior executive management of the Employer at the same level as Executive.
(c) Savings
and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all savings, pension and
retirement plans (including supplemental retirement plans), practices, policies and programs applicable generally to senior executive
employees of the Employer (the “Benefit Plans”), and on at least as favorable a basis as any other participant
who is a member of the senior executive management of the Employer at the same level as Executive.
(d) Welfare
Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, Executive and/or Executive’s family, as the case may be, shall be eligible
for participation in and shall receive all benefits under all welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided
by the Employer (including, without limitation, medical, hospitalization, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group
life, accidental death and dismemberment, and travel accident insurance plans and programs) (the “Welfare Benefit Plans”)
to the extent applicable generally to senior executive employees of the Employer.
(e) Expenses.
During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred
by Executive in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Employer to the extent applicable generally to other
senior executive employees of the Employer. The expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Section 6(e) in any year shall not
affect any expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits in any other year. Executive’s rights under this Section
6(e) are not subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.
(f) Fringe
and Similar Benefits. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the plans,
practices, programs and policies of the Employer in effect for its senior executive employees
(g)
Vacation, Sick and Other Leave. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled annually to a minimum of 35 business
days of paid vacation and shall be entitled to those number of business days of disability, sick and other leave specified in the
employment policies of the Employer.
7. Termination
of Employment (Other Than In Connection With A Change Of Control).
(a) Death
or Disability. Executive’s employment with the Employer shall Terminate automatically upon Executive’s death during
the Employment Period. If the Employer determines in good faith that the Disability of Executive has occurred during the Employment
Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to Executive written notice in accordance with Section
7(f) and 16(i) of this Agreement of its intention to Terminate Executive’s employment. In such event, Executive’s employment
with the Employer shall Terminate effective on the 60th day after receipt of such written notice by Executive (the “Disability
Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the absence
of Executive from Executive’s duties with the Employer on a full-time basis for 90 consecutive business days as a result
of incapacity due to mental or physical illness or injury which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected
by the Employer, or the insurers of the Employer, and acceptable to Executive or Executive’s legal representative, which
acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld, subject to (i) the Employer’s obligations, and Executive’s rights, under
(A) the Americans With Disabilities Act, 42 U.S. C. §§ 1210 et seq., and (B) the Family and Medical Leave Act,
29 U. S.C. §§ 2601 et seq. (and the regulations promulgated under the foregoing Acts), and (ii) the exclusion
from such 90 business day calculation of any business days constituting vacation days under Section 6(g) and any business days
which an employee is permitted to be absent under the disability, sick or other leave policies of the Employer.
(b) Cause.
The Employer may Terminate Executive’s employment with the Employer for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause”
shall mean:
| (i) | the willful and continued failure of Executive to perform
substantially Executive’s duties with the Employer, other than any such failure resulting from Disability, after a written
demand for substantial performance is delivered to Executive by the Bank Board which specifically identifies the manner in which
the Bank Board believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executive’s duties; |
| (ii) | the willful engaging by Executive in illegal conduct
or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Employer; |
| (iii) | continued insubordination with respect to directives
of the Bank Board after receipt of a written warning from the Bank Board with respect thereto; or |
| (iv) | a willful act by Executive which constitutes a material
breach of Executive’s fiduciary duty to the Employer which is intended by Executive to injure the reputation or business
of the Employer. |
For purposes of this Section 6(b), no act
or failure to act on the part of Executive shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done,
by Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the
Employer. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to resolutions duly adopted by the Bank Board or the
Board of Directors of Bancorp (“Bancorp Board”), or based upon the advice of counsel for the Employer shall
be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Employer
and to not constitute insubordination.
(c) Good
Reason. Executive may Terminate Executive’s employment with the Employer for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Good Reason” shall mean: (i) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities;
(ii) a material change in the geographic location at which Executive must perform the services to be performed by Executive pursuant
to this Agreement; and (iii) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Employer of this Agreement.
Provided, that Executive must provide notice to the Employer of the condition Executive contends is Good Reason within 30
days of the initial existence of the condition, and the Employer must have a period of at least 30 days to remedy the condition.
If the condition is not remedied, Executive must provide a Notice of Termination as provided in Section 7(f) and Section 16(i)
within 30 days of the end of the Employer’s remedy period.
(d) Without
Cause. The Employer may Terminate Executive’s employment without cause (“Termination Without Cause”).
(e) Retirement
or Resignation. Executive may voluntarily retire or resign upon giving notice as provided in Section 7(f) and Section 16(i)
and thereby Terminate his employment with the Employer (a “Voluntary Termination”).
(f) Notice
of Termination. Any Termination (other than for death) shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination given in accordance
with Section 16(i) 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 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 30 days after the giving of such notice except as
otherwise provided in Section 7(a)). The failure to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes
to a showing of Disability, Cause, or Good Reason shall not waive any right of Executive or the Employer hereunder or preclude
Executive or the Employer from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s or the Employer’s rights
hereunder.
(g) Date
of Termination. “Date of Termination” means (i) if Executive’s employment is Terminated by the Employer
for Cause or Without Cause, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may
be, (ii) if Executive’s employment is Terminated by Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination,
and (iii) if Executive’s employment is Terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the
date of death of Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.
8. Obligations
of the Employer Upon Termination (Other Than In Connection With A Change Of Control). The provisions of this Section 8 apply
only to Terminations that are not in connection with a Change of Control.
(a) Termination
Without Cause or for Good Reason. If, during the Employment Period, the Employer shall Terminate Executive’s employment
Without Cause or Executive shall Terminate Executive’s employment for Good Reason, then in consideration of Executive’s
services rendered prior to such Termination;
| (i) | the Employer shall pay to Executive a lump sum in cash
on the 30th day after the Date of Termination equal to the aggregate of the following amounts: |
| A. | the sum of (1) Executive’s Base Salary through
the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, and (2) any accrued vacation, sick and other leave pay, in each case
to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1) and (2) shall be hereinafter referred to as
the “Accrued Obligations”); and |
| B. | the amount equal to the product of (1) the number of
days that would have remained in the Employment Period from and after the Date of Termination had the Termination not occurred
(the “Remaining Employment Period”), and (2) Executive’s Base Salary divided by 365; and |
| C. | the product of (1) Executive’s aggregate cash bonus
for the last completed fiscal year, whether paid to Executive under Section 6 above or otherwise paid to Executive, and (2) 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. |
| (ii) | for the Remaining Employment Period, or such longer period
as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Employer shall continue to provide benefits
to Executive and/or Executive’s family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with
the Welfare Benefit Plans if Executive’s employment had not been terminated; provided, however, that if Executive becomes
employed with another employer and is eligible to receive substantially the same benefits under the other employer’s plans
as Executive would receive under the Welfare Benefit Plans under this item (ii), the benefits provided under this item (ii) shall
be secondary to those provided under such other employer’s plans during such applicable period of eligibility. For purposes
of determining eligibility and years-of-service credit (but not the time of commencement of benefits) of Executive for retiree
benefits pursuant to such Welfare Benefit Plans, to the extent permitted by the terms of the Welfare Benefit Plans, Executive
shall be considered to have remained employed throughout the Remaining Employment Period and to have retired on the last day of
such period; and |
| (iii) | to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Employer
shall timely pay or provide to Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided herein or which Executive
is eligible to receive under any Welfare Benefit Plan. |
(b) Death.
If Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of Executive’s death during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, except that: (i) Accrued
Obligations shall timely be paid as provided below; (ii) Other Benefits shall be timely paid or provided as described below; (iii)
all stock options that are “incentive stock options” (“ISOs”), as described in Section 422 of the
Code, previously granted to Executive that vested at or prior to the Date of Termination shall remain exercisable for the longer
of 12 months and the exercise period in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination; (iv) all nonqualified stock options
(“NSOs”) previously granted to Executive that vested at or prior to the Date of Termination shall remain exercisable
for the period of exercise in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination; (v) all options previously granted to Executive
and scheduled to vest in the year of death shall immediately vest and be exercisable for the exercise period set forth in the applicable
grants; and (vi) Executive’s rights to all benefits under all Benefit Plans that are “non-qualified” plans shall
be 100% vested, regardless of Executive’s age or years of service, at the time of Executive’s death. Accrued Obligations
shall be paid to Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash on the 30th day after the Date of
Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term “Other Benefits” as utilized in this
Section 8(b) shall mean, and Executive’s estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, all benefits under the
Employer’s Welfare Benefit Plans relating to death benefits. Without limiting the foregoing, for one (1) year after Executive’s
death, the Employer shall pay any premium required for any “qualified beneficiary” to continue his or her health care
coverage in accordance with Title 1, Part 6 of the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974, as amended.
(c) Disability.
If Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of Executive’s Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to Executive, except that: (i) Accrued Obligations shall be timely paid as provided
below; (ii) Other Benefits shall be timely paid or provided as described below; (iii) all options that are ISOs and that vested
at or prior to the Date of Termination shall remain exercisable for the lesser of 12 months and the period of exercise in effect
immediately prior to the Date of Termination; (iv) all options previously granted and scheduled to vest in the year in which the
Date of Termination occurs shall immediately vest and be exercisable (A) in the case of ISOs, for 12 months from the Date of Termination,
and (B) in the case of NSOs, for the exercise period set forth in the applicable grant; and (v) all other options that vested at
or prior to the Date of Termination shall remain exercisable for the period of exercise in effect immediately prior to the Date
of Termination. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum in cash on the 30th day after the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 8(c) shall include, without
limitation, and Executive shall be entitled after the Date of Termination to receive, (1) all disability benefits under all Welfare
Benefit Plans relating to disability, and (2) for the remainder of the Remaining Employment Period all benefits available to Executive
under all Welfare Benefit Plans.
(d) Cause;
Voluntary Termination. If Executive’s employment shall be Terminated for Cause or Executive shall effect a Voluntary
Termination, in either case during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to Executive,
except that (i) the Accrued Obligations shall be paid in a lump sum in cash on the 30th day after the Date of Termination, and
(ii) Other Benefits shall be paid or provided in a timely manner, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid; provided, however,
that Executive’s right to continue to participate in Welfare Benefit Plans shall terminate on the 30th day following the
Date of Termination, subject to Executive’s rights, if any, under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985,
29 U.S.C. §§ 1161 et seq.
9. Termination
In Connection With a Change of Control.
(a) Change
of Control Termination. In the event that, at the time of or within one (1) year after a Change of Control and during the Employment
Period, the Employer Terminates Executive’s employment Without Cause or Executive Terminates Executive’s employment
for Good Reason (each a “Change of Control Termination”), Executive shall be entitled to receive the payments
and benefits specified in this Section 9. The date on which the Employer or Executive receives notice of such Change of Control
Termination in accordance with Section 7(f) and Section 16(i) shall be deemed the “Change of Control Termination Date.”
(b) Definition
of Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean (i) a Change of Ownership;
(ii) a Change in Effective Control; or (iii) a Change of Asset Ownership; in each case, as defined herein and as further defined
and interpreted in Section 409A.
(i) For
purposes of this Section 9, “Change in Effective Control” shall mean the date either (A) one Person or Group
(each as defined in or pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) acquires (or has
acquired during the preceding 12 months) ownership of stock of Bancorp possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of Bancorp’s
outstanding stock or (B) a majority of the members of the Bancorp Board is replaced during any 12 month period by directors whose
election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Bancorp Board prior to such election.
(ii) For
purposes of this Section 9, “Change of Asset Ownership” shall mean the date one Person or Group acquires (or
has acquired during the preceding 12 months) assets (which shall include outstanding stock of the Bank) from Bancorp that have
a total gross fair market value that is equal to or exceeds 40% of the total gross fair market value of all Bancorp’s assets
immediately prior to such acquisition.
(iii) For
purposes of this Section 9, “Change of Ownership” shall mean the date one Person or Group acquires ownership
of stock of Bancorp that, together with stock previously held, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total
voting power of the stock of Bancorp; provided that such Person or Group did not previously own 50% or more of the value or voting
power of the outstanding stock of Bancorp.
(iv) For
purposes of determining whether Bancorp has undergone a Change in Control under this Section 9, the term Bancorp shall include
any corporation that is a majority shareholder of Bancorp within the meaning of Section 409A (owning more than 50% of the total
fair market value and total voting power of Bancorp).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change
of Control shall not include any transaction to which Executive consents in a writing specifically noting this provision of this
Agreement.
(c) Change
of Control Payments and Benefits. Upon a Change Of Control Termination:
| (i) | The Employer shall pay to Executive in a lump sum in
cash on the 30th day after the date of the Change In Control Termination Date the aggregate of the following amounts: |
| (A) | the sum of the Accrued Obligations; |
| (B) | the greater of the amount that would have been paid to
Executive pursuant to Section 8(a)(i)(B) had the Termination not been a Change in Control Termination or an amount equal to 2.99
times the total of Executive’s Base Salary; |
| (C) | the product of (x) Executive’s aggregate cash bonus
for the last completed fiscal year, whether paid under Section 6 above and/or otherwise paid to Executive, 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. |
| (D) | provided, however, that if during the Restricted Period,
the Executive violates a provision of Section 12, no payments shall be due under paragraphs (B) and (C) and any such payment previously
made shall be repaid by Executive. |
| (ii) | For the number of days remaining in the Employment Period
from and after the Change of Control Termination Date (the “Continuing Period”), or such longer period as may
be provided by the terms of the applicable Welfare Benefit Plan, the Employer shall continue benefits to Executive and/or Executive’s
family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the Welfare Benefit Plans if Executive’s
employment had not been terminated; provided, however, that if Executive becomes employed with another employer and is eligible
to receive substantially the same benefits under the other employer’s plans as Executive would receive under the Welfare
Benefit Plans under this item (ii), the benefits provided under this item (ii) shall be secondary to those provided under such
other plans during such applicable period of eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility and years-of-service credit
(but not the time of commencement of benefits) of Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such Welfare Benefit Plans, Executive
shall be considered to have remained employed through the Continuing Period and to have retired on the last day of such period. |
| (iii) | All options previously granted to Executive that are
unvested as of the Change of Control Termination Date shall be deemed vested, fully exercisable and non-forfeitable as of the
Change of Control Termination Date (provided, however, that options granted less than six (6) months before the Change of Control
Termination Date shall not be exercisable until the first day subsequent to the six (6) months following their dates of grant)
and all previously granted options that are vested, but unexercised, on the Change of Control Termination Date shall remain exercisable,
in each case for the period during which they would have been exercisable absent the termination of Executive’s employment
except as otherwise specifically provided by the Code. |
| (iv) | Executive’s benefits under all Benefit Plans that
are non-qualified plans shall be 100% vested, regardless of Executive’s age or years of service, as of the Change of Control
Termination Date. |
| (v) | Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section
9, the Employer may reduce or limit any amount, distribution, acceleration of vesting or other right described in this Section
9, in whole or part, such that the aggregate of all payments, distributions and benefits received by Executive shall not constitute
an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code; provided, however, that the Employer will endeavor to effect such reduction in a way that results in
the most favorable tax consequences for Executive and that such reduced amount shall be the maximum amount which would not constitute
an “excess parachute payment”. |
10. Non-Exclusivity
of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy, or practice provided by the Employer and for which Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise
affect such rights as Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Employer. Amounts which are vested benefits or
which Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with
the Employer at or subsequent to a Date of Termination or Change of Control Termination Date shall be payable in accordance with
such plan, policy, practice or program or such contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
11. Full
Settlement. The Employer’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which
the Employer may have against Executive or others. In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any
other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement; provided,
however, that Executive’s right under Section 8(a)(ii) to receive any payment and to receive benefits under Welfare Benefit
Plans to the extent that Executive obtains other employment shall be limited as provided in Sections 8(a)(ii).
12. Covenants.
(a) Covenant
Not to Compete. During the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, within the geographic areas composed of the circles surrounding
the Bank’s then existing banking offices, with each circle having the applicable banking office as its center point and a
radius of 25 miles (the “Territory”), directly or indirectly, in any capacity, render services, or engage or
have a financial interest in, any business that shall be competitive with any of those business activities in which Bancorp or
any of the Bancorp’s subsidiaries or affiliates (the “Bank Group”) is engaged as of the date of this Agreement,
which business activities include, but are not limited to, the provision of banking services (collectively, the “Business”);
provided, however, that Executive’s ownership of less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding securities of any entity
engaged in the Business that has a class of securities listed on a securities exchange or qualified for quotation on any over-the-counter
market shall not be a violation of the foregoing. For purposes of this Agreement, “Restricted Period” shall
mean the Employment Period, the Remaining Employment Period (as defined in Section 8(a)(i)(B) above), and, in the event of a Termination
for Cause or a Voluntary Termination, the remainder of the Employment Period that would have existed had the Executive not been
Terminated for Cause or Executive had not effected a Voluntary Termination, as applicable.
(b) Covenant
Not to Solicit Customers. During the Restricted Period, within the Territory Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, individually
or on behalf of any other natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, association, mutual organization
or similar entity (a “Covered Person”) (other than a member of the Bank Group), offer to provide banking services
to any Covered Person who is or was (i) a customer of any member of the Bank Group during any part of the 12 month period immediately
prior to the Date of Termination, or (ii) a potential customer to whom any member of the Bank Group offered to provide banking
services during any part of the 12 month period immediately prior to the Date of Termination.
(c) Covenant
Not to Solicit Employees. During the Restricted Period, within the Territory Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, individually
or on behalf of any Covered Person, solicit, recruit or entice, directly or indirectly, any employee of any member of the Bank
Group to leave the employment of such member to work with Executive or with any Covered Person with whom Executive is or becomes
affiliated or associated.
(d) Reasonableness
of Scope and Duration. The parties hereto agree that the covenants and agreements contained in this Section 12 are reasonable
in their time, territory and scope, and they intend that they be enforced, and no party shall raise any issue of the reasonableness
of the time, territory or scope of any such covenants in any proceeding to enforce any such covenants.
(e) Enforceability.
Executive agrees that monetary damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of
this Section 12, and that in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Employer, it shall be entitled to specific
performance and injunctive or other equitable relief as a remedy for any such breach or threatened breach. Any determination of
whether Executive has violated such covenants shall be made by arbitration in Greensboro, North Carolina under the Rules of Commercial
Arbitration (the “Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association, which Rules are deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein.
(f) Separate
Covenants and Severability. The covenants and agreements contained in this Section 12 shall be construed as separate and independent
covenants. Should any part or provision of any such covenant or agreement be held invalid, void or unenforceable in any court of
competent jurisdiction, no other part or provision of this Agreement shall be rendered invalid, void or unenforceable by a court
of competent jurisdiction, no other part or provision of this Agreement shall be rendered invalid, void or unenforceable as a result.
If any portion of the foregoing provisions is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction unless
modified, it is the intent of the parties that the otherwise invalid or unreasonable term shall be reformed, or a new enforceable
term provided, so as to most closely effectuate the provisions as is validly possible.
(g) Inapplicability.
The provisions of this Section 12 shall not be operative upon, or be in any way enforceable against Executive at or after:
| (i) | a Termination by Executive for Good Reason; |
| (ii) | a Termination of Executive’s employment by the
Employer Without Cause if Executive waives Executive’s right to continued benefits under Section 8(a) [other than the payment
under Section 8(a)(i)(A)] and, in case payments have already been made under Section 8(a)(i)(B) or (C), reimburses the Employer
for a portion thereof equal to: the amount of such payments multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days remaining in the Remaining Employment Period and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the Remaining Employment
Period as of the Date of Termination. |
13. Assignment
and Successors.
(a) Executive.
This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Employer shall not be assignable by Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by Executive’s legal representatives.
(b) The
Employer. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Employer and its successors and assigns. Bancorp
and the Bank will each require any successor to it (whether direct or indirect, by stock or asset purchase, merger, consolidation
or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its business or more than fifty percent (50%) of its assets to assume expressly and
agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent it would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place.
14. Regulatory
Intervention. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the obligations of the Employer under this Agreement
are subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) If
Executive is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by a notice
served under Section 8(e)(3) or (1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. § 1818 (e)(3) and (g)(1)) and/or comparable
provisions of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), the Bank’s obligations hereunder, as applicable, shall
be suspended as of the date of service unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges in the notice are dismissed, all
of the Employer’s obligations which were suspended shall be reinstated.
(b) If
Executive is removed and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued
under Section 8(e)(4) or (g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. § 1 818 (e)(4) and (g)(1)) and/or comparable
provisions of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), all obligations of the Employer under this Agreement shall
terminate as of the effective date of the order, but vested rights of the parties shall not be affected.
(c) If
the Bank is in default (as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S. C. § 1813 (X)(1)), all
obligations of the Employer under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default, but any vested rights of Executive
shall not be affected.
(d) All
obligations of the Employer under this Agreement shall be terminated, except to the extent determined that continuation of the
contract is necessary for the continued operation of the Bank, if so ordered by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks (the “Commissioner”)
at the time the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) enters into an agreement to provide assistance
to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority contained in Section 13 (c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.§
1823 (c)), or if so ordered b the Commissioner at the time the FDIC approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to
operation of the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the Commissioner to be in an unsafe or unsound condition. Any rights of
Executive that shall have vested under this Agreement shall not be affected by such action. Provided that any termination of this
Agreement, in whole or in part, shall be in compliance with Section 409A to the extent Section 409A applies to any portion of this
Agreement.
(e) With
regard to the provisions of this Section 14(a) through (d):
| (i) | Bancorp and the Bank agree to use their best efforts
to oppose any such notice of charges as to which there are reasonable defenses; |
| (ii) | In the event the notice of charges is dismissed or otherwise
resolved in manner that will permit the Employer to resume its obligations to pay compensation hereunder, the Employer will promptly
make such payment hereunder; and |
| (iii) | During any period of suspension under Section 14(a),
the vested rights of Executive shall not be affected except to the extent precluded by such notice. |
(f) The
Employer’s obligations to provide compensation or other benefits to Executive under this Agreement shall be terminated or
limited to the extent required by the provisions of any final regulation or order of the FDIC promulgated under Section 18(k) of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. § 1828(k)) and/or any final regulation or order the Board of Governors of the
Federal System or the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond promulgated under the Federal Reserve Act or such Section of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act limiting or prohibiting any “golden parachute payment” as defined therein, but only to the extent
that the compensation or payments to be provided by the Employer under this Agreement are so prohibited or limited.
15. Certain
Payments Delayed for a Specified Employee. If Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A, then
any payment(s) under this Agreement on account of a “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A shall be made
and/or shall begin on the first day of the seventh month following the date of Executive’s Termination to the extent such
payments are not exempt from Section 409A, and the six month delay in payment is required by Section 409A.
16. Miscellaneous.
(a) No
Mitigation. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking
other employment or otherwise and, except as provided in Sections 8(a)(ii), no such payment shall be offset or reduced by the amount
of any compensation or benefits provided to Executive in any subsequent employment.
(b) Waiver.
Failure of either party to insist, in one or more instances, on performance by the other in strict accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of any right granted in this Agreement or of the future
performance of any such term or condition or of any other term or condition of this Agreement, unless such waiver is contained
in a writing signed by the party making the waiver.
(c) Severability.
If any provision or covenant, of any part thereof, of this Agreement should be held by any court to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable,
either in whole or in part, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality enforceability
of the remaining provisions or covenants, or any part thereof, of this Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect.
(d) Other
Agents. Nothing in this Agreement is to be interpreted as limiting the Employer from employing other personnel on such terms
and conditions as may be satisfactory to it.
(e) Entire
Agreement. Except as provided herein, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Employer and Executive, with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and invalidates any previous employment and severance agreements or contracts
with Executive. No representations, inducements, promises or agreements, oral or otherwise, which are not embodied herein, shall
be of any force or effect.
(f) Compliance
with Section 409A. It is intended that this Agreement shall conform with all applicable Section 409A requirements to the extent
Section 409A applies to any provisions of the Agreement. Accordingly, in interpreting, construing or applying any provisions of
the Agreement, the same shall be construed in such manner as shall meet and comply with Section 409A, and in the event of any inconsistency
with Section 409A, the same shall be reformed so as to meet the requirements of Section 409A. Executive acknowledges that the Employer
has not made any representation or warranty regarding the treatment of this Agreement or the benefits payable under this Agreement
under federal, state or local income tax laws, including but not limited to Section 409A.
(g) Compliance
with Reform Act. It is intended that this Agreement shall conform with, and be subject to, all applicable sections of the Xxxx-Xxxxx
Xxxx Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Public Law No. 111-203) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Reform
Act”). Executive hereby agrees to amend and/or modify from time to time this Agreement, as may be necessary, to comply
with all applicable sections of the Reform Act.
(h) Governing
Law. Except to the extent preempted by federal law, the laws of the State of North Carolina shall govern this Agreement in
all respects, whether as to its validity, construction, capacity, performance or otherwise.
(i) Notices.
All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been duly given if delivered or seven (7) days after mailing if mailed, first class, certified mail, postage prepaid:
To the Employer:
NewBridge Bancorp
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: President and Chief
Executive Officer
To Executive:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxx.
Xxxxxxxxxx XX 00000
Any party may change the address to which
notices, requests, demands and other communications shall be delivered or mailed by giving notice thereof to the other party in
the same manner provided herein.
(j) Amendments
and Modifications. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a writing signed by all parties hereto, which makes specific
reference to this Agreement; provided, however, that no amendment or modification to this Agreement shall be adopted unless it
complies with Section 409A to the extent Section 409A applies to this Agreement and/or to the amendment or modification.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Employment and Change of Control Agreement as of the date first above
written.
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NEWBRIDGE BANCORP |
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By: |
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Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, President and Chief |
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Executive Officer |
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NEWBRIDGE BANK |
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By: |
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Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, President and Chief |
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Executive Officer |
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EXECUTIVE: |
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Xxxxxx X Xxxxxx |