QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2001
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _________ to__________.
Commission File Number 000-30707
First Northern Community Bancorp
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
California 68-0450397 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification Number) 195 N. First St., Dixon, CA 95620 (Address of principal executive offices (Zip Code) offices) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, no par value (Title of Class) |
707-678-3041
(Registrant's telephone number including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods as the Registrant was
required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [x] No [_]
The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates (based upon the last reported trade on the OTC Bulletin Board on October 31, 2001) was approximately $71,588,858. As of October 31, 2001, there were 3,181,727 shares of Common Stock, no par value, outstanding.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts)
ASSETS
September 30, 2001 December 31, 2000 ------------------ ----------------- Cash and due from banks $ 25,364 $ 24,660 Federal funds sold 30,950 10,000 Investment securities - available for sale 98,020 126,638 Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $6,920 at September 30, 2001 and $7,228 at December 31, 2000 234,580 210,542 Loans held for sale 16,623 6,585 Premises and equipment, net 6,656 6,148 Accrued Interest receivable and other assets 10,407 7,055 ------------------- ---------------- TOTAL ASSETS $ 422,600 $ 391,628 =================== ================ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Deposits Demand $ 100,226 $ 99,134 Interest-bearing transaction deposits 42,601 43,905 Savings & MMDA's 109,986 99,675 Time, under $100,000 68,802 65,618 Time, $100,000 and over 51,919 41,447 ------------------- ---------------- Total deposits 373,534 349,779 Accrued interest payable and other liabilities 7,931 5,312 ------------------- ---------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 381,465 355,091 ------------------- ---------------- Stockholders' equity Common stock, no par value; 4,000,000 shares authorized; 3,181,927 shares issued and outstanding in 2001 and 3,070,949 shares issued and outstanding in 2000 25,176 22,784 Additional paid in capital 977 977 Retained earnings 12,098 12,036 Accumulated other comprehensive income 2,884 740 ------------------- ---------------- TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 41,135 36,537 ------------------- ---------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 422,600 $ 391,628 =================== ================ |
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three months Three months Nine months Nine months ended ended ended ended September 30, 2001 September 30, 2000 September 30, 2001 September 30, 2000 ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ Interest Income Loans $ 5,806 $ 5,144 $ 16,881 $ 13,620 Federal funds sold 237 141 397 992 Investment securities Taxable 1,199 1,841 4,416 5,578 Non-taxable 276 325 840 916 ------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Total interest income 7,518 7,451 22,534 21,106 Interest Expense Deposits 2,060 2,312 6,589 6,544 Other borrowings 56 26 154 51 ------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Total interest expense 2,116 2,338 6,743 6,595 ------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Net interest income 5,402 5,113 15,791 14,511 Recovery of loan losses -- -- (308) -- ------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Net interest income after recovery of loan losses 5,402 5,113 16,099 14,511 ------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Other operating income Service charges on deposit accounts 417 391 1,212 1,077 Gains (losses) on available for sale securities 36 8 (241) 22 Gains on other real estate owned -- 36 -- 122 Gains on sales of loans 251 106 504 246 Alternative investment income 68 70 210 251 ATM fees 59 56 170 167 Mortgage brokerage income 67 52 153 144 Loan servicing Income 53 34 141 96 Other income 99 86 286 231 ------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Total other operating income 1,050 839 2,435 2,356 ------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Other operating expenses Salaries and employee benefits 2,666 2,440 7,644 6,928 Occupancy and equipment 618 575 1,759 1,619 Data processing 131 105 439 311 Stationery and supplies 125 98 369 352 Advertising 90 84 214 252 Other 703 625 1,974 2,004 ------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Total other operating expense 4,333 3,927 12,399 11,466 ------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Income before income tax expense 2,119 2,025 6,135 5,401 Provision for income tax expense 749 723 2,150 1,807 ------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Net income $ 1,370 $ 1,302 $ 3,985 $ 3,594 Other Comprehensive Income: Unrealized gain on available for sale securities, net of tax effect 1,190 875 2,144 658 ------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Total Comprehensive Income $ 2,560 $ 2,177 $ 6,129 $ 4,252 ============= ============= =============== ============== Basic Income per share $ 0.43 $ 0.40 $ 1.24 $ 1.06 ============= ============= =============== ============== Diluted Income per share $ 0.42 $ 0.39 $ 1.21 $ 1.05 ============= ============= =============== ============== |
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Nine months Nine Months ended ended September 30, 2001 September 30, 2000 ------------------ ------------------ Operating Activities Net Income $ 3,985 $ 3,594 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 689 651 Recovery of loan losses (308) -- Loss (gain) on available for sale securities 241 (22) Gain on sale of loans (504) (246) (Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable and other assets (3,352) 837 Increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities 2,619 568 ---------------- ----------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 3,370 5,382 Investing Activities Net decrease in investment securities 30,521 5,422 Net increase in loans (23,730) (48,186) Net (increase) decrease in loans held for sale (9,534) 4,318 Purchases of premises and equipment, net (1,197) (905) ---------------- ----------------- Net cash used in investing activities (3,940) (39,351) Financing Activities Net increase in deposits 23,755 4,457 Cash dividends paid (7) (6) Stock Options Exercised 181 -- Repurchase of stock (1,705) (2,919) ---------------- ----------------- Net cash provided by financing activities 22,224 1,532 ---------------- ----------------- Net change in cash and cash equivalents 21,654 (32,437) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 34,660 57,106 ---------------- ----------------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 56,314 $ 24,669 ================ ================= --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 5,989 $ 6,564 Income Taxes $ 2,247 $ 1,154 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities: Stock dividend distributed $ 3,126 $ 2,514 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the First Northern Community Bancorp's Annual Report to shareholders and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary as if the Company had been in existence during all periods presented. All material intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
2. RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2000 financial statements to conform with the 2001 presentation.
3. OUTSTANDING SHARES AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
On January 18, 2001, the Board of Directors of the First Northern Community Bancorp declared a 6% stock dividend payable as of March 31, 2001. All income per share amounts have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the stock dividend.
Earnings Per Share (EPS)
Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three-month and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2001 and September 30, 2000 were computed as follows (in thousands, except share amounts and earnings per share):
Three months Nine months ended September 30, ended September 30, 2001 2000 2001 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic earnings per share: Net income $ 1,370 $ 1,302 $ 3,985 $ 3,594 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Denominator: Weighted average common shares outstanding 3,186,598 3,277,930 3,218,905 3,376,413 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic EPS $ 0.43 $ 0.40 $ 1.24 $ 1.06 ========================================================================================================================== Diluted earnings per share: Net income $ 1,370 $ 1,302 $ 3,985 $ 3,594 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Denominator: Weighted average common shares outstanding 3,186,598 3,277,930 3,218,905 3,376,413 Incremental shares due to dilutive stock options 106,658 25,151 83,939 30,943 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3,293,256 3,303,081 3,302,844 3,407,356 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diluted EPS $ 0.42 $ 0.39 $ 1.21 $ 1.05 ========================================================================================================================== |
4. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at levels considered adequate by management to provide for possible loan losses. The allowance is based on management's assessment of various factors affecting the loan portfolio, including problem loans, business conditions and loss experience, and an overall evaluation of the quality of the underlying collateral. Changes in the allowance for loan losses during the nine-months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000 and for the year ended December 31, 2000 were as follows (in thousands):
Nine months ended Year ended September 30, December 31, 2001 2000 2000 --------- -------- -------- Balance, beginning of period $ 7,228 $ 7,825 $ 7,825 Recovery of loan losses (308) -- -- Loan charge-offs (86) (577) (852) Loan recoveries 86 202 255 --------- -------- -------- Balance, end of period $ 6,920 $ 7,450 $ 7,228 ========= ======== ======== |
5. SALARY CONTINUATION AND RELATED SPLIT DOLLAR PLAN FOR CERTAIN OFFICERS FOR THE PROVISION OF DEATH, DISABILITY AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS.
On July 19, 2001, the Company and the Bank approved a salary continuation and related split dollar plan for certain officers for the provision of death, disability and retirement benefits. The Salary Continuation Plan is intended to provide certain officers with an annual benefit for 10 years at the normal retirement age of 65. This is a non-qualified plan funded with bank owned life insurance policies taken on the life of the officer with a split-dollar endorsement to provide officer's survivor with a tax-free distribution. The Company will accrue for the compensation based on anticipated years of service and the vesting schedule. The Salary Continuation benefits will be funded by benefit accruals under the plan in the amount by which, if any, the increase in cash surrender value of the related insurance policies exceeds a predetermined profitability index. On September 30, 2001, the Bank purchased insurance making a single-premium payment aggregating $3,500,000.
6. DIRECTOR RETIREMENT PLAN WITH RELATED SPLIT DOLLAR PLAN FOR ALL DIRECTORS FOR THE PROVISION OF DEATH, DISABILITY AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS.
On July 19, 2001, the Company and the Bank approved a director retirement plan and related split dollar plan for all directors for the provision of death, disability and retirement benefits. The director retirement plan is intended to provide directors with an annual benefit of $15,000 for 10 years at the normal retirement age of 65. This is a non-qualified plan funded with bank owned life insurance policies taken on the life of the director with a split-dollar endorsement to provide director's survivor with a tax-free distribution. The Company will accrue for the retirement benefit based on anticipated years of service and the vesting schedule. The director retirement benefits will be funded by benefit accruals under the plan in the amount by which, if any, the increase in cash surrender value of the related insurance policies exceeds a predetermined profitability index. On September 30, 2001, the Bank purchased insurance making a single-premium payment aggregating $1,760,000.
7. GAIN OR LOSS ON SALE OF LOANS AND SERVICING RIGHTS
Effective April 1, 2001, the Bank adopted FASB Statement No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125, which supersedes and replaces the guidance in FASB Statement No. 125, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. Statement No. 140 revises the standards for accounting for securitizations and other transfers of financial assets and collateral and requires certain disclosures, but it carries over most of the provisions of Statement No. 125 without reconsideration. Technical Bulletin No. 01-1 delays the effective date for the isolation standards and related guidance under Statement No. 140 to transfers of financial assets by affected entities occurring after December 31, 2001, instead of March 31, 2001. The Company does not expect adoption of Statement No. 140 to have a material impact on the financial condition or operating results of the Company.
8. IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In July 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 141, Business Combinations, and Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Statement 141 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 as well as all purchase method business combinations completed after June 30, 2001. Statement 141 also specifies criteria intangible assets acquired in a purchase method business combination must meet to be recognized and reported apart from goodwill, noting that any purchase price allocable to an assembled workforce may not be accounted for separately. Statement 142 will require that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of Statement 142. Statement 142 will also require that intangible assets with definite useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of.
The Company is required to adopt the provisions of Statement 141 immediately and Statement 142 effective January 1, 2002. Furthermore, any goodwill and any intangible asset determined to have an indefinite useful life that are acquired in a purchase business combination completed after June 30, 2001 will not be amortized, but will continue to be evaluated for impairment in accordance with the appropriate pre-Statement 142 accounting literature. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in business combinations completed before July 1, 2001 will continue to be amortized prior to the adoption of Statement 142. The Company does not have any goodwill and intangible assets acquired in business combinations completed before July 1, 2001. The Company does not expect adoption of Statements No. 141 and 142 to have a material impact on the financial condition or operating results of the Company.
9. ACCOUNTING FOR ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) recently issued Statement No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations in August 2001. This Statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs.
As a result, FASB Statement No. 143 applies to all entities that have legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived tangible assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development or normal use of the asset. As used in this Statement, a legal obligation results from existing law, statute, ordinance, written or oral contract, or by legal construction of a contract under the doctrine of promissory estoppels.
Statement No. 143 requires an enterprise to record the fair value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which it incurs a legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset. Since the requirement is to recognize the obligation when incurred, approaches that have been used in the past to accrue the asset retirement obligation over the life of the asset are no longer acceptable. Statement No. 143 also requires the enterprise to record the contra to the initial obligation as an increase to the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset (i.e., the associated asset retirement costs) and to depreciate that cost over the remaining useful life of the asset. The liability is changed at the end of each period to reflect the passage of time (i.e., accretion expense) and changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the initial fair value measurement. Enterprises are required to adopt Statement No. 143 for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. Early adoption is encouraged. The Company does not expect adoption of Statement No. 143 to have a material impact on the financial condition or operating results of the Company.
10. ACCOUNTING FOR THE IMPAIRMENT OR DISPOSAL OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
On October 3, 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB Statement No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. While Statement No. 144 supersedes FASB Statement No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, it retains many of the fundamental provisions of that Statement.
Statement No. 144 also supersedes the accounting and reporting provisions of APB Opinion No. 30, Reporting the Results of Operations--Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions, for the disposal of a segment of a business. However, it retains the requirement in Opinion 30 to report separately discontinued operations and extends that reporting to a component of an entity that either has been disposed of (by sale, abandonment, or in a distribution to owners) or is classified as held for sale. By broadening the presentation of discontinued operations to include more disposal transactions, the FASB has enhanced management's ability to provide information that helps financial statement users to assess the effects of a disposal transaction on the ongoing operations of an entity. The Company does not expect adoption of Statement No. 144 to have a material impact on the financial condition or operating results of the Company.
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a discussion and analysis of the significant changes in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and of the significant changes in income and expenses reported in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income as of and for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2001 and 2000.
SUMMARY
The Company recorded net income of $3,985,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001, representing an increase of $391,000 or 10.9% over $3,594,000 for the same period in 2000 and had net income of $1,370,000 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2001, representing an increase of $68,000 or 5.2% over $1,302,000 for the same period in 2000.
The increase in net income over the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001 as compared to the same period a year ago, resulted primarily from an increase in net interest income and other operating income combined with decreases in the provision for loan losses which was partially offset by increases in other operating expense and provision for income tax expense.
The increase in net income over the three-month period ended September 30, 2001 as compared to the same period a year ago, resulted primarily from an increase in net interest income and other operating income which was partially offset by increases in other operating expense and provision for income tax expense.
On January 18, 2001, the Board of Directors of the First Northern Community Bancorp declared a 6% stock dividend payable as of March 31, 2001. All income per share amounts have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the stock dividend.
CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION
The asset side of the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet showed a $704,000 increase in cash and due from banks, a $20,950,000 increase in fed funds sold, a $28,618,000 decrease in investment securities, a $24,038,000 increase in loans, a $10,038,000 increase in loans held for sale, and a $3,352,000 increase in accrued interest receivable and other assets from December 31, 2000 to September 30, 2001. The reason for the increase in cash and due from banks was due to an increase in items in process of collection. The increase in fed funds sold was due to increased deposits. The decrease in investment securities was due to a write-down of a corporate bond and proceeds from sales, maturities and calls. The proceeds were used to fund new loans. The increase in loans was in commercial and real estate loans. The increase in loans held for sale was in real estate loans. The increase in accrued interest receivable and other assets was due to increased officer's life insurance, which was partially offset by decreased income taxes receivable, and decreased securities interest receivables. The increase in officer's life insurance was to fund the Supplemental Compensation Plan.
The liability side of the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet showed an increase in total deposits of $23,755,000 compared to year-end 2000 deposit totals. The increase in deposits was due to higher demand, savings, money market and time deposit totals combined with lower interest-bearing transaction deposit totals. Other liabilities increased $2,619,000 from December 31, 2000 to September 30, 2001. The increase in other liabilities was due to increased notes payable, which was partially offset by decreased accrued expenses.
CHANGES IN RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Interest income on loans for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001 is up 23.9% over the same period for 2000, from $13,620,000 to $16,881,000 and is up 12.9% for the three-month period ending September 30, 2001 over the same period for 2000, from $5,144,000 to $5,806,000. The increase over the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001 as compared to the same period a year ago, was due to an increase in average loans which was partially offset by a 56 basis point decrease in loan yields. The increase over the three-month period ended September 30, 2001 as compared to the same period a year ago, was due to an increase in average loans which was partially offset by a 110 basis point decrease in loan yields.
Interest income on securities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001 is down 19.1% over the same period for 2000, from $6,494,000 to $5,256,000 and is down 31.9% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2001 as compared to the same period in 2000, from $2,166,000 to $1,475,000. The decrease over the nine month period ended September 30, 2001 as compared to the same period a year ago, is due to a decrease in average securities combined with a 33 basis point decrease in securities yields. The decrease over the three-month period ended September 30, 2001 as compared to the same period a year ago, is due to a decrease in average securities combined with a 57 basis point decrease in securities yields.
Interest income on fed funds sold for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001 is down 60.0% over the same period for 2000 from $992,000 to $397,000 and is up 68.1% for the three-month period ending September 30, 2001 over the same period for 2000 from $141,000 to $237,000. The decrease in fed funds income over the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001 was due to a decrease in average fed funds sold combined with a decrease in fed funds rates. The increase in fed funds income over the three-month period ended September 30, 2001 was due to an increase in average fed funds sold, which was partially offset by a decrease in fed funds rates.
Interest expense on deposits was up 0.7% for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2001 over the same period in 2000 from $6,544,000 to $6,589,000 and was down 10.9% for the three-month period ending September 30, 2001 over the same period in 2000 from $2,312,000 to $2,060,000. The increased interest expense over the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001 was due to increased average deposits, which was partially offset by lower deposit rates. The decreased interest expense over the three-month period ended September 30, 2001 was due to lower deposit rates, which was partially offset by increased average deposits.
There was a recovery of $308,000 in the provision for loan losses for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2001 compared to a zero provision for the same period in 2000. The recovery and zero provision for those periods were due to continued favorable market conditions and loan quality in the Company's loan portfolio. The September 30, 2001 allowance for loan losses of approximately $6,920,000 is 2.8% of total loans compared to $7,228,000 or 3.3% of total loans at December 31, 2000.
Other operating income was up 3.4% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001 over the same period in 2000 from $2,356,000 to $2,435,000. This increase was primarily due to increases in service charges on deposit accounts, including higher overdraft charges, primarily due to the effect of new fee structures that were implemented in the second quarter of 2000; gains on sales of loans; loan servicing income and other miscellaneous income, which were partially offset by a decrease in gains on available for sale securities, combined with decreases in gains on other real estate owned and alternative investment fees. The decrease in gains on available for sale securities was due to an other than temporary decline in value of a corporate bond and the sale of an impaired corporate bond, which were partially offset by other sales. The increase in other miscellaneous income was due, for the most part, to visa check/debit card fees.
Other operating income was up 25.2% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2001 over the same period in 2000 from $839,000 to $1,050,000. This increase was due to an increase in gains on available for sale securities; service charges on deposit accounts, including higher overdraft charges, primarily due to the effect of new fee structures that were implemented in the second quarter of 2000; gains on sales of loans and other miscellaneous income, which was partially offset by a decrease in gains on other real estate owned. The increase in gains on available for sale securities was due to sales. The increase in other miscellaneous income was due, for the most part, to visa check/debit card fees.
Total other operating expense was up 8.1% for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2001 over the same period in 2000 from $11,466,000 to $12,399,000 and was up 10.3% for the three-month period ending September 30, 2001 over the same period in 2000 from $3,927,000 to $4,333,000.
The main reasons for the increase in the nine-month period ending September 30, 2001 was a combination of: increases in salaries & benefits; occupancy and equipment; and data processing, combined with decreases in advertising and other miscellaneous expense. The increase in salaries & benefits was due to increases in the number of employees and increases in profit sharing provisions due to increased income combined with increases in commissions for real estate loans. The decrease in advertising was due to decreased usage as compared to the same period in 2000. The increase in occupancy and equipment was due to increased rent expense, computer hardware depreciation and utilities, which were partially offset by decreased furniture and equipment depreciation. The decrease in other miscellaneous expense was due to: decreased legal fees and accounting and audit fees, which were partially offset by increased consulting fees; miscellaneous loan and lease expense; computer software and hardware service contracts; and computer software depreciation.
The main reasons for the increase in the three-month period ending September 30, 2001 were a combination of: increases in salaries & benefits, occupancy and equipment, and other miscellaneous expense. The increase in salaries & benefits was due to increases in the number of employees and increases in profit sharing provisions due to increased income combined with increases in commissions for real estate loans. The increase in occupancy and equipment was due to increased rent expense and computer hardware depreciation, which was partially offset by decreased furniture and equipment depreciation. The increase in other miscellaneous expense was due to: increased miscellaneous loan and lease expense; computer software and hardware service contracts; and computer software depreciation, which were partially offset by decreased legal fees and sundry losses.
The Company manages asset quality and credit risk by maintaining diversification in its loan portfolio and through review processes that include analysis of credit requests and ongoing examination of outstanding loans and delinquencies, with particular attention to portfolio dynamics and mix. The Company strives to identify loans experiencing difficulty early enough to correct the problems, to record charge-offs promptly based on realistic assessments of current collateral values, and to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses at all times.
It is generally the Company's policy to discontinue interest accruals once a loan is past due as to interest or principal payments for a period of ninety days. When a loan is placed on non-accrual, interest accruals cease and uncollected accrued interest is reversed and charged against current income. Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied against principal. A loan may only be restored to an accruing basis when it again becomes well secured and in the process of collection or all past due amounts have been collected.
Non-accrual loans amounted to $621,000 at September 30, 2001, and were comprised of seven commercial loans and one consumer loan. At December 31, 2000, non-accrual loans amounted to $742,000 and were comprised of nine commercial loans and two agricultural loans. At September 30, 2000, non-accrual loans amounted to $923,000 and were comprised of six commercial loans, two agricultural loans and two consumer loans.
At September 30, 2001, the Company had loans 90 days past due and still accruing totaling $113,000. Such loans amounted to $-0- at December 31, 2000 and $10,000 at September 30, 2000.
To be able to serve our market area, the Company must maintain proper liquidity and adequate capital. Liquidity is measured by various ratios, with the most common being the ratio of loans to deposits. This ratio was 67.3% on September 30, 2001. In addition, on September 30, 2001, the Company had the following short term investments: $30,950,000 in fed funds sold; $9,900,000 in securities due within one year; and $41,900,000 in securities due in one to five years.
To meet unanticipated funding requirements, the Company maintains short-term lines of credit with other banks totaling $18,700,000.
Capital adequacy is generally measured by comparing the total of equity capital and reserve for loan losses to total assets. On September 30, 2001 this ratio was 11.4% and on December 31, 2000 it was 11.2%. These figures are well above the levels currently considered adequate by bank regulators.
The Company's primary source of liquidity on a stand-alone basis is dividends from the Bank. Dividends from the Bank are subject to regulatory restrictions.
ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks as of September 30, 2001, from that presented in the First Northern Community Bancorp's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION AND SIGNATURES
ITEM 1.
Legal Proceedings
Not Applicable.
ITEM 2.
Changes in Securities
Not Applicable.
ITEM 3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities
Not Applicable.
ITEM 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Not Applicable.
ITEM 5.
Other Information
Not Applicable.
ITEM 6.
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) An index of exhibits begins on page 13.
(b) There were no Reports on Form 8 - K.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized to sign on behalf of the registrant.
FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
Date: November 14, 2001 By: /s/ Louise A. Walker -------------------- ----------------------------------------- Louise A. Walker, Sr. Vice President / Chief Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION ----------- ----------- 10.1 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement entered into as of July 23, 2001 by and between First Northern Bank of Dixon and Don Fish. 10.2 Employment Agreement entered into as of July 23, 2001 by and between First Northern Bank of Dixon and Owen Onsum. 10.3 Employment Agreement entered into as of July 23, 2001 by and between First Northern Bank of Dixon and Louise Walker. 10.4 Employment Agreement entered into as of July 23, 2001 by and between First Northern Bank of Dixon and Robert Walker. |
EXHIBIT 10.1
EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT 10.1 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement / Don Fish
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of July 23, 2001 by and between FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON, a California banking corporation (the "Bank"), and Donald J. Fish (the "Executive") and is an amended agreement originally entered into on January 1, 1997 between the Bank and the Executive.
RECITAL:
The parties desire to set forth the terms of Executive's employment with the Bank.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
(i) If employment is terminated under Section 7(a), (b), (c), or
(f) hereof, Executive shall receive:
(1) base salary through the date the Term of Employment ends,
(2) any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid,
(3) whatever rights may be specified in Stock Option Agreements with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Community Bancorp Stock Option Plan,
(4) whatever rights may be specified in Salary Continuation Agreement with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement/Split Dollar Agreement, and
(5) reimbursement of expenses incurred under Section 5(c) hereof but not yet reimbursed.
(ii) Except as provided in this Section 8(a) or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which the Executive performs services as an employee of the Bank.
(i) If, within two years following a Change of Control, Executive's employment is terminated under the provisions of Section 7(d) or (e) hereof or as a result of the Bank's election not to extend this Agreement and the Term of Employment pursuant to Section 2 hereof, Executive shall receive:
(1) 200% of the sum of (i) Executive's annual base salary under Section 5(a) hereof as in effect on the date the Term of Employment ends and (ii) the average of the annual bonuses awarded to Executive by the Bank for the most recent three consecutive years prior to the date the Term of Employment ends,
(2) any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid, and
(3) any expenses incurred under Section 5(c) hereof but not yet reimbursed.
(4) outplacement assistance.
(ii) The payment to which Executive is entitled pursuant to
Section 8(b)(i)(1) hereof shall be paid in a single installment within
forty-five (45) days of termination with no percent value or other
discount or, at Executive's option, on a deferred basis with no
premium.
(iii) During the 18-month period commencing on the date the Executive's Term of Employment ends under Section 7(d) or (e) hereof, Executive (and, where applicable, Executive's dependents) shall be entitled to continue participation in the group insurance plans maintained by the Bank, including life, disability and health insurance programs, as if Executive were still an employee of the Bank. Where applicable, Executive's salary for purposes of such plans shall be deemed to be equal to Executive's annual salary in effect immediately prior to termination. To the extent that the Bank finds it not feasible to obtain coverage for Executive under its group insurance policies during such 18-month period, the Bank shall provide Executive with individual policies which offer at least the same level of coverage and which impose not more than the same costs on Executive. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event that Executive becomes eligible for comparable group insurance coverage in connection with new employment, the coverage provided by the Bank under this Section 8(b)(iii) shall terminate immediately. Any group health continuation coverage that the Bank is required to offer under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA") shall commence when coverage under this Section 8(b)(iii) terminates.
(iv) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any
payment or distribution by the Bank to or for the benefit of the
Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined
without regard to any additional payments required under this Section
iv) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the
Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together
with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled
to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount
such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any
interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including,
without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties
imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up
Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
(2) (a) Subject to the provisions of Section iv (3), all determinations required to be made under Section iv including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by or such other nationally recognized certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the Bank (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Bank and the Executive within 15 business days after the Accounting Firm has been advised that a Payment was made, or such earlier time as is requested by the Bank. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Bank shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall than be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All reasonable fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Bank. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to Section iv shall be paid by the Bank to the Executive promptly following receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination, unless the Bank requests further calculations. Any determination made by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Bank and the Executive, although either party may challenge such a determination through a legal proceeding. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Bank, should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Bank exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section iv (3) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Bank to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(b) To the extent the Bank overpays any Excise Tax or Gross-Up Payment, the Executive agrees that such overpayment(s) will be immediately returned to the Bank by the Executive. As a condition to receipt of a Gross-Up Payment or Excise Tax Payment, the Executive consents to jurisdiction and venue in California in an action by Bank to recover any overpayments. The Executive also agrees to provide Bank all financial information and data, including tax information, reasonably requested by Bank to calculate such overpayments. The Executive agrees that the Executive shall not be entitled to delay or avoid repayment of overpayments (a) based on other types of tax disputes the Executive may have with tax authorities, (b) based on a change in the residence of the Executive following receipt of a Gross- Up Payment or Excise Tax Payment, (c) based on any claim or claims by the Executive against Bank for additional sums or benefits, or (d) based on any claim or claims for offset by the Executive against Bank.
(3) The Executive shall notify the Bank in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Bank of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Bank of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which the Executive gives such notice to the Bank (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Bank notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(a) give the Bank any information reasonably requested by the Bank relating to such claim,
(b) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Bank shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Bank,
(c) cooperate with the Bank in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim, and
(d) permit the Bank to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Bank shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section iv (3), the Bank shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Bank shall determine; provided, however, that if the Bank directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Bank shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Bank's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(4) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Bank pursuant to Section iv (3), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Bank's complying with the requirements of Section iv (3)) promptly pay to the Bank the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Bank pursuant to Section iv (3), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Bank does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after Bank's receipt of such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up payment required to be paid.
(v) Except as provided in this Section 8(b) or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which he performs services as an employee of the Bank.
(vi) Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Section 8(b) (whether by seeking new employment or otherwise) and no such payment or benefit shall be reduced by earnings that Executive may receive from any other source.
(vii) In the event of a Change in Control of the Bank during the period Executive remains in Service, all of the Shares which are unvested as of the effective date of such Change in Control shall immediately become vested. For the purposes hereof, a "Change in Control" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) of the First Northern Community Bancorp 2000 Stock Option Plan.
(viii) If employment is terminated due to a Change in Control of the Bank the Executive shall receive whatever rights may be specified pursuant to the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement/Split Dollar Agreement.
(i) If Executive's employment is terminated under the provisions of Section 7(d) or (e) hereof and such termination is not within two years following a Change of Control, Executive shall receive:
(1) 100% of the sum of (i) Executive's annual base salary under Section 5(a) hereof as in effect on the date the Term of Employment ends and (ii) the average of the annual bonuses awarded to Executive by the Bank for the three most recent consecutive years prior to the date the Term of Employment ends,
(2) any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid,
(3) whatever rights may be specified in Stock Option Agreements with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Community Bancorp Stock Option Plan. It being understood that the definition of Change of Control set forth in such Stock Option Agreement may differ from that set forth herein,
(4) whatever rights may be specified in Salary Continuation Agreement with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement/Split Dollar Agreement, and
(5) reimbursement of expenses incurred under Section 5(c) hereof but not yet reimbursed.
(ii) During the 12-month period commencing upon a termination of employment under Section 7(d) or (e) hereof, Executive (and, where applicable, Executive's dependents) shall be entitled to continue participation in the group insurance plans maintained by the Bank, including life, disability and health insurance programs, as if Executive were still an employee of the Bank. Where applicable, Executive's salary for purposes of such plans shall be deemed to be equal to Executive's annual base salary as in effect on the date the Term of Employment ends. To the extent that the Bank finds it not feasible to obtain coverage for Executive under its group insurance policies during such 12-month period, the Bank shall provide Executive with individual policies which offer at least the same level of coverage and which impose not more than the same costs on the Executive. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event that Executive becomes eligible for comparable group insurance coverage in connection with new employment, the coverage provided by the Bank under Section 6(f) shall terminate immediately. Any group health continuation coverage that the Bank is required to offer under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA") shall commence when coverage under this Section 8(c)(ii) terminates.
(iii) Except as provided in this Section 8(c) or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which Executive performs services as an employee of the Bank.
(iv) Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Section 8(c) (whether by seeking new employment or otherwise) and no such payment or benefit shall be reduced by earnings that Executive may receive from any other source.
(i) willfully breached or habitually neglected or breached the duties which the Executive was required to perform under the terms of this Agreement or the policies of the Bank or
(ii) committed act(s) of dishonesty, theft, embezzlement, fraud, misrepresentation, or other act(s) of moral turpitude against the Bank, its subsidiaries or affiliates, its shareholders, or its employees or which adversely impact the interest of the Bank.
(i) any person or group (as such terms are used in connection with Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Bank representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Bank's then outstanding securities;
(ii) the Bank is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or
(iii) during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (including for this purpose any new director whose election or nomination for election by the Bank's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), a "Change of Control" will not be deemed to have occurred solely because of the acquisition of securities of the Bank (or any reporting requirement under the Act relating thereto) by an employee benefit plan maintained by the Bank for its employees.
(a) Executive agrees to comply fully with the Bank's policies relating to non-disclosure of the Bank's trade secrets and proprietary information and processes, including information regarding the Bank's customers and prospective customers. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive will not, during the term of Executive's employment by the Bank, disclose any such secrets, information, or processes to any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, nor shall Executive make use of any such property for Executive's own purposes or for the benefit of any person, firm, corporation, or other entity (except the Bank) under any circumstances during or after the term of Executive's employment, provided that after the term of Executive's employment, this provision shall not apply to secrets, information, and processes that are then in the public domain (provided that Executive was not responsible, directly or indirectly, for such secrets, information, or processes entering the public domain without the Bank's consent).
(b) Executive hereby sells, transfers, and assigns to the Bank all of
the entire right, title, and interest of Executive in and to all inventions,
ideas, disclosures, and improvements, whether patented or unpatented, and
copyrightable material, to the extent made or conceived by Executive, solely or
jointly, during the term of this Agreement, except to the extent prohibited by
Section 2870 of the California Labor Code, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit A. Executive shall communicate promptly and disclose to the Bank, in
such form as the Bank requests, all information, details, and data pertaining to
the aforementioned inventions, ideas, disclosures, and improvements; and,
whether during the term hereof or thereafter, Executive shall execute and
deliver to the Bank such formal transfers and assignments and such other papers
and documents as may be required of Executive to permit the Bank to file and
prosecute any patent applications relating to such inventions, ideas,
disclosures, and improvements and, as to copyrightable material, to obtain
copyright thereon.
(c) Trade secrets, proprietary information, and processes shall not be deemed to include information which is:
(i) known to Executive at the time of the disclosure;
(ii) publicly known (or becomes publicly known) without the fault or negligence of Executive;
(iii) received from a third party without restriction and without breach of this Agreement;
(iv) approved for release by written authorization of the Bank; or
(v) required to be disclosed by law; provided, however, that in
the event of a proposed disclosure pursuant to this subsection
12(c)(v), the recipient shall give the Bank prior written notice before
such disclosure is made.
(d) Executive agrees that in the event that Executive's employment terminates for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Bank all property belonging to the Bank, including all documents and materials of any nature pertaining to Executive's employment with the Bank.
(a) Any controversy or claim between Bank and Executive arising from or relating to this Agreement or any agreement or instrument delivered under or in connection with this Agreement, including any alleged dispute, breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of this Agreement, shall, at the option of Executive or Bank, be submitted to arbitration, using either the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") or Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. ("JAMS") in accordance with the rules of either JAMS or AAA (at the option of the party initiating the arbitration) and Title 9 of the U.S. Code. All statutes of limitations or any waivers contained herein which would otherwise be applicable shall apply to any arbitration proceeding under this Section 21(a). The parties agree that related arbitration proceedings may be consolidated. The arbitrator shall prepare written reasons for the award. Judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
(b) No provision of, or the exercise of any rights under, Section 21(a) hereof shall limit the right of any party to exercise self help remedies or to obtain provisional or ancillary remedies, such as injunctive relief from a court having jurisdiction before, during or after the pendency of any arbitration. The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of provisional or ancillary remedies or exercise of self help remedies shall not constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or claim to arbitration.
(c) If any arbitration, legal action or other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument delivered under or in connection with this Agreement, or because of an alleged dispute, breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of this Agreement, the successful or prevailing party or parties shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs incurred in that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it or they may be entitled.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the day herein first above written.
FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON
EXECUTIVE
Exhibit A - California Labor Code Section 2870
CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE SECTION 2870
Section 2870. Application of provision providing that employee shall assign or offer to assign rights in invention to employer.
(a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer's equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those inventions that either;
(i) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer.
(ii) Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.
(b) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable.
EXHIBIT 10.2
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of July 23, 2001 by and between FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON, a California banking corporation (the "Bank"), and Owen J. Onsum (the "Executive").
RECITAL:
The parties desire to set forth the terms of Executive's employment with the Bank.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
(i) If employment is terminated under Section 7(a), (b), (c), or
(f) hereof, Executive shall receive:
(1) base salary through the date the Term of Employment ends,
(2) any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid,
(3) whatever rights may be specified in Stock Option Agreements with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Community Bancorp Stock Option Plan,
(4) whatever rights may be specified in Salary Continuation Agreement with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement/Split Dollar Agreement, and
(5) reimbursement of expenses incurred under Section 5(c) hereof but not yet reimbursed.
(ii) Except as provided in this Section 8(a) or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which the Executive performs services as an employee of the Bank.
(i) If, within two years following a Change of Control, Executive's employment is terminated under the provisions of Section 7(d) or (e) hereof or as a result of the Bank's election not to extend this Agreement and the Term of Employment pursuant to Section 2 hereof, Executive shall receive:
(1) 250% of the sum of (i) Executive's annual base salary under
Section 5(a) hereof as in effect on the date the Term of Employment ends
and (ii) the average of the annual bonuses awarded to Executive by the
Bank for the most recent three consecutive years prior to the date the
Term of Employment ends,
(2) any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid, and
(3) any expenses incurred under Section 5(c) hereof but not yet reimbursed.
(4) outplacement assistance.
(ii) The payment to which Executive is entitled pursuant to Section
8(b)(i)(1) hereof shall be paid in a single installment within forty-five
(45) days of termination with no percent value or other discount or, at
Executive's option, on a deferred basis with no premium.
(iii) During the 24-month period commencing on the date the Executive's Term of Employment ends under Section 7(d) or (e) hereof, Executive (and, where applicable, Executive's dependents) shall be entitled to continue participation in the group insurance plans maintained by the Bank, including life, disability and health insurance programs, as if Executive were still an employee of the Bank. Where applicable, Executive's salary for purposes of such plans shall be deemed to be equal to Executive's annual salary in effect immediately prior to termination. To the extent that the Bank finds it not feasible to obtain coverage for Executive under its group insurance policies during such 24-month period, the Bank shall provide Executive with individual policies which offer at least the same level of coverage and which impose not more than the same costs on Executive. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event that Executive becomes eligible for comparable group insurance coverage in connection with new employment, the coverage provided by the Bank under this Section 8(b)(iii) shall terminate immediately. Any group health continuation coverage that the Bank is required to offer under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA") shall commence when coverage under this Section 8(b)(iii) terminates.
(iv) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Bank to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section iv) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
(2) (a) Subject to the provisions of Section iv (3), all
determinations required to be made under Section iv including whether and
when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment
and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall
be made by or such other nationally recognized certified public accounting
firm as may be designated by the Bank (the "Accounting Firm") which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Bank and the Executive
within 15 business days after the Accounting Firm has been advised that a
Payment was made, or such earlier time as is requested by the Bank. In the
event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the
individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Bank shall
appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall than be
referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All reasonable fees and
expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Bank. Any
Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to Section iv shall be paid by the
Bank to the Executive promptly following receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination, unless the Bank requests further calculations. Any
determination made by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Bank and
the Executive, although either party may challenge such a determination
through a legal proceeding. As a result of the uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial
determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up
Payments which will not have been made by the Bank, should have been made
("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Bank exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section iv (3) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of
any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the
Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly
paid by the Bank to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(b) To the extent the Bank overpays any Excise Tax or Gross-Up Payment, the Executive agrees that such overpayment(s) will be immediately returned to the Bank by the Executive. As a condition to receipt of a Gross- Up Payment or Excise Tax Payment, the Executive consents to jurisdiction and venue in California in an action by Bank to recover any overpayments. The Executive also agrees to provide Bank all financial information and data, including tax information, reasonably requested by Bank to calculate such overpayments. The Executive agrees that the Executive shall not be entitled to delay or avoid repayment of overpayments (a) based on other types of tax disputes the Executive may have with tax authorities, (b) based on a change in the residence of the Executive following receipt of a Gross-Up Payment or Excise Tax Payment, (c) based on any claim or claims by the Executive against Bank for additional sums or benefits, or (d) based on any claim or claims for offset by the Executive against Bank.
(3) The Executive shall notify the Bank in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Bank of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Bank of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which the Executive gives such notice to the Bank (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Bank notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(a) give the Bank any information reasonably requested by the Bank relating to such claim,
(b) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Bank shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Bank,
(c) cooperate with the Bank in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim, and
(d) permit the Bank to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Bank shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section iv (3), the Bank shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Bank shall determine; provided, however, that if the Bank directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Bank shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Bank's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(4) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced
by the Bank pursuant to Section iv (3), the Executive becomes entitled to
receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject
to the Bank's complying with the requirements of Section iv (3)) promptly
pay to the Bank the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid
or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt
by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Bank pursuant to Section iv
(3), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any
refund with respect to such claim and the Bank does not notify the Executive
in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the
expiration of 30 days after Bank's receipt of such determination, then such
advance shall be forgiven and shall offset, to the extent thereof, the
amount of Gross-Up payment required to be paid.
(v) Except as provided in this Section 8(b) or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which he performs services as an employee of the Bank.
(vi) Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Section 8(b) (whether by seeking new employment or otherwise) and no such payment or benefit shall be reduced by earnings that Executive may receive from any other source.
(vii) In the event of a Change in Control of the Bank during the period Executive remains in Service, all of the Shares which are unvested as of the effective date of such Change in Control shall immediately become vested. For the purposes hereof, a "Change in Control" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) of the First Northern Community Bancorp 2000 Stock Option Plan.
(viii) If employment is terminated due to a Change in Control of the Bank the Executive shall receive whatever rights maybe specified pursuant to the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement/Split Dollar Agreement.
(i) If Executive's employment is terminated under the provisions of Section 7(d) or (e) hereof and such termination is not within two years following a Change of Control, Executive shall receive:
(1) 150% of the sum of (i) Executive's annual base salary under Section 5(a) hereof as in effect on the date the Term of Employment ends and (ii) the average of the annual bonuses awarded to Executive by the Bank for the three most recent consecutive years prior to the date the Term of Employment ends,
(2) any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid,
(3) whatever rights may be specified in Stock Option Agreements with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Community Bancorp Stock Option Plan. It being understood that the definition of Change of Control set forth in such Stock Option Agreement may differ from that set forth herein,
(4) whatever rights may be specified in Salary Continuation Agreement with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement/Split Dollar Agreement, and
(5) reimbursement of expenses incurred under Section 5(c) hereof but not yet reimbursed.
(ii) During the 18-month period commencing upon a termination of employment under Section 7(d) or (e) hereof, Executive (and, where applicable, Executive's dependents) shall be entitled to continue participation in the group insurance plans maintained by the Bank, including life, disability and health insurance programs, as if Executive were still an employee of the Bank. Where applicable, Executive's salary for purposes of such plans shall be deemed to be equal to Executive's annual base salary as in effect on the date the Term of Employment ends. To the extent that the Bank finds it not feasible to obtain coverage for Executive under its group insurance policies during such 18-month period, the Bank shall provide Executive with individual policies which offer at least the same level of coverage and which impose not more than the same costs on the Executive. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event that Executive becomes eligible for comparable group insurance coverage in connection with new employment, the coverage provided by the Bank under Section 6(f) shall terminate immediately. Any group health continuation coverage that the Bank is required to offer under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA") shall commence when coverage under this Section 8(c)(ii) terminates.
(iii) Except as provided in this Section 8(c) or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which Executive performs services as an employee of the Bank.
(iv) Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Section 8(c) (whether by seeking new employment or otherwise) and no such payment or benefit shall be reduced by earnings that Executive may receive from any other source.
(i) willfully breached or habitually neglected or breached the duties which the Executive was required to perform under the terms of this Agreement or the policies of the Bank or
(ii) committed act(s) of dishonesty, theft, embezzlement, fraud, misrepresentation, or other act(s) of moral turpitude against the Bank, its subsidiaries or affiliates, its shareholders, or its employees or which adversely impact the interest of the Bank.
(i) any person or group (as such terms are used in connection with Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Bank representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Bank's then outstanding securities;
(ii) the Bank is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or
(iii) during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (including for this purpose any new director whose election or nomination for election by the Bank's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), a "Change of Control" will not be deemed to have occurred solely because of the acquisition of securities of the Bank (or any reporting requirement under the Act relating thereto) by an employee benefit plan maintained by the Bank for its employees.
(a) Executive agrees to comply fully with the Bank's policies relating to non-disclosure of the Bank's trade secrets and proprietary information and processes, including information regarding the Bank's customers and prospective customers. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive will not, during the term of Executive's employment by the Bank, disclose any such secrets, information, or processes to any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, nor shall Executive make use of any such property for Executive's own purposes or for the benefit of any person, firm, corporation, or other entity (except the Bank) under any circumstances during or after the term of Executive's employment, provided that after the term of Executive's employment, this provision shall not apply to secrets, information, and processes that are then in the public domain (provided that Executive was not responsible, directly or indirectly, for such secrets, information, or processes entering the public domain without the Bank's consent).
(b) Executive hereby sells, transfers, and assigns to the Bank all of
the entire right, title, and interest of Executive in and to all inventions,
ideas, disclosures, and improvements, whether patented or unpatented, and
copyrightable material, to the extent made or conceived by Executive, solely or
jointly, during the term of this Agreement, except to the extent prohibited by
Section 2870 of the California Labor Code, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit A. Executive shall communicate promptly and disclose to the Bank, in
such form as the Bank requests, all information, details, and data pertaining to
the aforementioned inventions, ideas, disclosures, and improvements; and,
whether during the term hereof or thereafter, Executive shall execute and
deliver to the Bank such formal transfers and assignments and such other papers
and documents as may be required of Executive to permit the Bank to file and
prosecute any patent applications relating to such inventions, ideas,
disclosures, and improvements and, as to copyrightable material, to obtain
copyright thereon.
(c) Trade secrets, proprietary information, and processes shall not be deemed to include information which is:
(i) known to Executive at the time of the disclosure;
(ii) publicly known (or becomes publicly known) without the fault or negligence of Executive;
(iii) received from a third party without restriction and without breach of this Agreement;
(iv) approved for release by written authorization of the Bank; or
(v) required to be disclosed by law; provided, however, that in
the event of a proposed disclosure pursuant to this subsection
12(c)(v), the recipient shall give the Bank prior written notice before
such disclosure is made.
(d) Executive agrees that in the event that Executive's employment terminates for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Bank all property belonging to the Bank, including all documents and materials of any nature pertaining to Executive's employment with the Bank.
(a) Any controversy or claim between Bank and Executive arising from or relating to this Agreement or any agreement or instrument delivered under or in connection with this Agreement, including any alleged dispute, breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of this Agreement, shall, at the option of Executive or Bank, be submitted to arbitration, using either the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") or Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. ("JAMS") in accordance with the rules of either JAMS or AAA (at the option of the party initiating the arbitration) and Title 9 of the U.S. Code. All statutes of limitations or any waivers contained herein which would otherwise be applicable shall apply to any arbitration proceeding under this Section 21(a). The parties agree that related arbitration proceedings may be consolidated. The arbitrator shall prepare written reasons for the award. Judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
(b) No provision of, or the exercise of any rights under, Section 21(a) hereof shall limit the right of any party to exercise self help remedies or to obtain provisional or ancillary remedies, such as injunctive relief from a court having jurisdiction before, during or after the pendency of any arbitration. The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of provisional or ancillary remedies or exercise of self help remedies shall not constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or claim to arbitration.
(c) If any arbitration, legal action or other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument delivered under or in connection with this Agreement, or because of an alleged dispute, breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of this Agreement, the successful or prevailing party or parties shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs incurred in that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it or they may be entitled.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the day herein first above written.
FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON
EXECUTIVE
CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE SECTION 2870
Section 2870. Application of provision providing that employee shall assign or offer to assign rights in invention to employer.
(a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer's equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those inventions that either;
(i) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer.
(ii) Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.
(b) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable.
EXHIBIT 10.3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of July 23, 2001 by and between FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON, a California banking corporation (the "Bank"), and Louise A. Walker (the "Executive").
RECITAL:
The parties desire to set forth the terms of Executive's employment with the Bank.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
(i) If employment is terminated under Section 7(a), (b), (c), or (f) hereof, Executive shall receive:
(1) base salary through the date the Term of Employment ends,
(2) any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid,
(3) whatever rights may be specified in Stock Option Agreements with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Community Bancorp Stock Option Plan,
(4) whatever rights may be specified in Salary Continuation Agreement wit the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement/Split Dollar Agreement, and
(5) reimbursement of expenses incurred under Section 5(c) hereof but not yet reimbursed.
(ii) Except as provided in this Section 8(a) or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which the Executive performs services as an employee of the Bank.
(i) If, within two years following a Change of Control, Executive's employment is terminated under the provisions of Section 7(d) or (e) hereof or as a result of the Bank's election not to extend this Agreement and the Term of Employment pursuant to Section 2 hereof, Executive shall receive:
(1) 200% of the sum of (i) Executive's annual base salary under
Section 5(a) hereof as in effect on the date the Term of Employment ends
and (ii) the average of the annual bonuses awarded to Executive by the Bank
for the most recent three consecutive years prior to the date the Term of
Employment ends,
(2) any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid, and
(3) any expenses incurred under Section 5(c) hereof but not yet reimbursed.
(4) outplacement assistance.
(ii) The payment to which Executive is entitled pursuant to Section 8(b)(i)(1) hereof shall be paid in a single installment within forty-five (45) days of termination with no percent value or other discount or, at Executive's option, on a deferred basis with no premium.
(iii) During the 18-month period commencing on the date the Executive's Term of Employment ends under Section 7(d) or (e) hereof, Executive (and, where applicable, Executive's dependents) shall be entitled to continue participation in the group insurance plans maintained by the Bank, including life, disability and health insurance programs, as if Executive were still an employee of the Bank. Where applicable, Executive's salary for purposes of such plans shall be deemed to be equal to Executive's annual salary in effect immediately prior to termination. To the extent that the Bank finds it not feasible to obtain coverage for Executive under its group insurance policies during such 18-month period, the Bank shall provide Executive with individual policies which offer at least the same level of coverage and which impose not more than the same costs on Executive. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event that Executive becomes eligible for comparable group insurance coverage in connection with new employment, the coverage provided by the Bank under this Section 8(b)(iii) shall terminate immediately. Any group health continuation coverage that the Bank is required to offer under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA") shall commence when coverage under this Section 8(b)(iii) terminates.
(iv) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Bank to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section iv) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
(2) (a) Subject to the provisions of Section iv (3), all determinations required to be made under Section iv including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by or such other nationally recognized certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the Bank (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Bank and the Executive within 15 business days after the Accounting Firm has been advised that a Payment was made, or such earlier time as is requested by the Bank. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Bank shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall than be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All reasonable fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Bank. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to Section iv shall be paid by the Bank to the Executive promptly following receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination, unless the Bank requests further calculations. Any determination made by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Bank and the Executive, although either party may challenge such a determination through a legal proceeding. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Bank, should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Bank exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section iv (3) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Bank to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(b) To the extent the Bank overpays any Excise Tax or Gross-Up Payment, the Executive agrees that such overpayment(s) will be immediately returned to the Bank by the Executive. As a condition to receipt of a Gross-Up Payment or Excise Tax Payment, the Executive consents to jurisdiction and venue in California in an action by Bank to recover any overpayments. The Executive also agrees to provide Bank all financial information and data, including tax information, reasonably requested by Bank to calculate such overpayments. The Executive agrees that the Executive shall not be entitled to delay or avoid repayment of overpayments (a) based on other types of tax disputes the Executive may have with tax authorities, (b) based on a change in the residence of the Executive following receipt of a Gross-Up Payment or Excise Tax Payment, (c) based on any claim or claims by the Executive against Bank for additional sums or benefits, or (d) based on any claim or claims for offset by the Executive against Bank.
(3) The Executive shall notify the Bank in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Bank of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Bank of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which the Executive gives such notice to the Bank (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Bank notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(a) give the Bank any information reasonably requested by the Bank relating to such claim,
(b) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Bank shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Bank,
(c) cooperate with the Bank in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim, and
(d) permit the Bank to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Bank shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section iv (3), the Bank shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Bank shall determine; provided, however, that if the Bank directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Bank shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Bank's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(4) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Bank pursuant to Section iv (3), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Bank's complying with the requirements of Section iv (3)) promptly pay to the Bank the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Bank pursuant to Section iv (3), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Bank does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after Bank's receipt of such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up payment required to be paid.
(v) Except as provided in this Section 8(b) or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which he performs services as an employee of the Bank.
(vi) Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Section 8(b) (whether by seeking new employment or otherwise) and no such payment or benefit shall be reduced by earnings that Executive may receive from any other source.
(vii) In the event of a Change in Control of the Bank during the period
Executive remains in Service, all of the Shares which are unvested as of the
effective date of such Change in Control shall immediately become vested. For
the purposes hereof, a "Change in Control" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2(b) of the First Northern Community Bancorp 2000 Stock Option Plan.
(viii) If employment is terminated due to a Change in Control of the Bank the Executive shall receive whatever rights may be specified pursuant to the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement/Split Dollar Agreement.
(i) If Executive's employment is terminated under the provisions of
Section 7(d) or (e) hereof and such termination is not within two years
following a Change of Control, Executive shall receive:
(1) 100% of the sum of (i) Executive's annual base salary under Section 5(a) hereof as in effect on the date the Term of Employment ends and (ii) the average of the annual bonuses awarded to Executive by the Bank for the three most recent consecutive years prior to the date the Term of Employment ends,
(2) any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid,
(3) whatever rights may be specified in Stock Option Agreements with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Community Bancorp Stock Option Plan. It being understood that the definition of Change of Control set forth in such Stock Option Agreement may differ from that set forth herein,
(4) whatever rights may be specified in Salary Continuation Agreement with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement/Split Dollar Agreement, and
(5) reimbursement of expenses incurred under Section 5(c) hereof but not yet reimbursed.
(ii) During the 12-month period commencing upon a termination of
employment under Section 7(d) or (e) hereof, Executive (and, where
applicable, Executive's dependents) shall be entitled to continue
participation in the group insurance plans maintained by the Bank,
including life, disability and health insurance programs, as if Executive
were still an employee of the Bank. Where applicable, Executive's salary
for purposes of such plans shall be deemed to be equal to Executive's
annual base salary as in effect on the date the Term of Employment ends. To
the extent that the Bank finds it not feasible to obtain coverage for
Executive under its group insurance policies during such 12-month period,
the Bank shall provide Executive with individual policies which offer at
least the same level of coverage and which impose not more than the same
costs on the Executive. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event that
Executive becomes eligible for comparable group insurance coverage in
connection with new employment, the coverage provided by the Bank under
Section 6(f) shall terminate immediately. Any group health continuation
coverage that the Bank is required to offer under the Consolidated Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA") shall commence when coverage
under this Section 8(c)(ii) terminates.
(iii) Except as provided in this Section 8(c) or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which Executive performs services as an employee of the Bank.
(iv) Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Section 8(c) (whether by seeking new employment or otherwise) and no such payment or benefit shall be reduced by earnings that Executive may receive from any other source.
(i) willfully breached or habitually neglected or breached the duties which the Executive was required to perform under the terms of this Agreement or the policies of the Bank or
(ii) committed act(s) of dishonesty, theft, embezzlement, fraud, misrepresentation, or other act(s) of moral turpitude against the Bank, its subsidiaries or affiliates, its shareholders, or its employees or which adversely impact the interest of the Bank.
(i) any person or group (as such terms are used in connection with Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Bank representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Bank's then outstanding securities;
(ii) the Bank is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or
(iii) during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (including for this purpose any new director whose election or nomination for election by the Bank's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), a "Change of Control" will not be deemed to have occurred solely because of the acquisition of securities of the Bank (or any reporting requirement under the Act relating thereto) by an employee benefit plan maintained by the Bank for its employees.
(a) Executive agrees to comply fully with the Bank's policies relating to non-disclosure of the Bank's trade secrets and proprietary information and processes, including information regarding the Bank's customers and prospective customers. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive will not, during the term of Executive's employment by the Bank, disclose any such secrets, information, or processes to any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, nor shall Executive make use of any such property for Executive's own purposes or for the benefit of any person, firm, corporation, or other entity (except the Bank) under any circumstances during or after the term of Executive's employment, provided that after the term of Executive's employment, this provision shall not apply to secrets, information, and processes that are then in the public domain (provided that Executive was not responsible, directly or indirectly, for such secrets, information, or processes entering the public domain without the Bank's consent).
(b) Executive hereby sells, transfers, and assigns to the Bank all of the
entire right, title, and interest of Executive in and to all inventions, ideas,
disclosures, and improvements, whether patented or unpatented, and copyrightable
material, to the extent made or conceived by Executive, solely or jointly,
during the term of this Agreement, except to the extent prohibited by Section
2870 of the California Labor Code, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit
A. Executive shall communicate promptly and disclose to the Bank, in such form
as the Bank requests, all information, details, and data pertaining to the
aforementioned inventions, ideas, disclosures, and improvements; and, whether
during the term hereof or thereafter, Executive shall execute and deliver to the
Bank such formal transfers and assignments and such other papers and documents
as may be required of Executive to permit the Bank to file and prosecute any
patent applications relating to such inventions, ideas, disclosures, and
improvements and, as to copyrightable material, to obtain copyright thereon.
(c) Trade secrets, proprietary information, and processes shall not be deemed to include information which is:
(i) known to Executive at the time of the disclosure;
(ii) publicly known (or becomes publicly known) without the fault or negligence of Executive;
(iii) received from a third party without restriction and without breach of this Agreement;
(iv) approved for release by written authorization of the Bank; or
(v) required to be disclosed by law; provided, however, that in the event of a proposed disclosure pursuant to this subsection 12(c)(v), the recipient shall give the Bank prior written notice before such disclosure is made.
(d) Executive agrees that in the event that Executive's employment terminates for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Bank all property belonging to the Bank, including all documents and materials of any nature pertaining to Executive's employment with the Bank.
(a) Any controversy or claim between Bank and Executive arising from or relating to this Agreement or any agreement or instrument delivered under or in connection with this Agreement, including any alleged dispute, breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of this Agreement, shall, at the option of Executive or Bank, be submitted to arbitration, using either the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") or Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. ("JAMS") in accordance with the rules of either JAMS or AAA (at the option of the party initiating the arbitration) and Title 9 of the U.S. Code. All statutes of limitations or any waivers contained herein which would otherwise be applicable shall apply to any arbitration proceeding under this Section 21(a). The parties agree that related arbitration proceedings may be consolidated. The arbitrator shall prepare written reasons for the award. Judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
(b) No provision of, or the exercise of any rights under, Section 21(a) hereof shall limit the right of any party to exercise self help remedies or to obtain provisional or ancillary remedies, such as injunctive relief from a court having jurisdiction before, during or after the pendency of any arbitration. The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of provisional or ancillary remedies or exercise of self help remedies shall not constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or claim to arbitration.
(c) If any arbitration, legal action or other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument delivered under or in connection with this Agreement, or because of an alleged dispute, breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of this Agreement, the successful or prevailing party or parties shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs incurred in that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it or they may be entitled.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the day herein first above written.
FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON
EXECUTIVE
Exhibit A - California Labor Code Section 2870
CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE SECTION 2870
Section 2870. Application of provision providing that employee shall assign or offer to assign rights in invention to employer.
(a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer's equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those inventions that either;
(i) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer.
(ii) Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.
(b) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable.
EXHIBIT 10.4
This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of July 23, 2001 by and between FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON, a California banking corporation (the "Bank"), and Robert M. Walker (the "Executive").
RECITAL:
The parties desire to set forth the terms of Executive's employment with the Bank.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
(i) If employment is terminated under Section 7(a), (b), (c), or
(f) hereof, Executive shall receive:
(1) base salary through the date the Term of Employment ends,
(2) any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid,
(3) whatever rights may be specified in Stock Option Agreements with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Community Bancorp Stock Option Plan,
(4) whatever rights may be specified in Salary Continuation Agreement with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement/Split Dollar Agreement, and
(5) reimbursement of expenses incurred under Section 5(c) hereof but not yet reimbursed.
(ii) Except as provided in this Section 8(a) or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which the Executive performs services as an employee of the Bank.
(i) If, within two years following a Change of Control, Executive's employment is terminated under the provisions of Section 7(d) or (e) hereof or as a result of the Bank's election not to extend this Agreement and the Term of Employment pursuant to Section 2 hereof, Executive shall receive:
(1) 200% of the sum of (i) Executive's annual base salary under Section 5(a) hereof as in effect on the date the Term of Employment ends and (ii) the average of the annual bonuses awarded to Executive by the Bank for the most recent three consecutive years prior to the date the Term of Employment ends,
(2) any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid, and
(3) any expenses incurred under Section 5(c) hereof but not yet reimbursed.
(4) outplacement assistance.
(ii) The payment to which Executive is entitled pursuant to
Section 8(b)(i)(1) hereof shall be paid in a single installment within
forty-five (45) days of termination with no percent value or other
discount or, at Executive's option, on a deferred basis with no
premium.
(iii) During the 18-month period commencing on the date the Executive's Term of Employment ends under Section 7(d) or (e) hereof, Executive (and, where applicable, Executive's dependents) shall be entitled to continue participation in the group insurance plans maintained by the Bank, including life, disability and health insurance programs, as if Executive were still an employee of the Bank. Where applicable, Executive's salary for purposes of such plans shall be deemed to be equal to Executive's annual salary in effect immediately prior to termination. To the extent that the Bank finds it not feasible to obtain coverage for Executive under its group insurance policies during such 18-month period, the Bank shall provide Executive with individual policies which offer at least the same level of coverage and which impose not more than the same costs on Executive. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event that Executive becomes eligible for comparable group insurance coverage in connection with new employment, the coverage provided by the Bank under this Section 8(b)(iii) shall terminate immediately. Any group health continuation coverage that the Bank is required to offer under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA") shall commence when coverage under this Section 8(b)(iii) terminates.
(iv) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any
payment or distribution by the Bank to or for the benefit of the
Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined
without regard to any additional payments required under this Section
iv) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the
Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together
with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled
to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount
such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any
interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including,
without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties
imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up
Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
(2) (a) Subject to the provisions of Section iv (3), all determinations required to be made under Section iv including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by or such other nationally recognized certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the Bank (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Bank and the Executive within 15 business days after the Accounting Firm has been advised that a Payment was made, or such earlier time as is requested by the Bank. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Bank shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall than be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All reasonable fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Bank. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to Section iv shall be paid by the Bank to the Executive promptly following receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination, unless the Bank requests further calculations. Any determination made by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Bank and the Executive, although either party may challenge such a determination through a legal proceeding. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Bank, should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Bank exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section iv (3) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Bank to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(b) To the extent the Bank overpays any Excise Tax or Gross-Up Payment, the Executive agrees that such overpayment(s) will be immediately returned to the Bank by the Executive. As a condition to receipt of a Gross-Up Payment or Excise Tax Payment, the Executive consents to jurisdiction and venue in California in an action by Bank to recover any overpayments. The Executive also agrees to provide Bank all financial information and data, including tax information, reasonably requested by Bank to calculate such overpayments. The Executive agrees that the Executive shall not be entitled to delay or avoid repayment of overpayments (a) based on other types of tax disputes the Executive may have with tax authorities, (b) based on a change in the residence of the Executive following receipt of a Gross- Up Payment or Excise Tax Payment, (c) based on any claim or claims by the Executive against Bank for additional sums or benefits, or (d) based on any claim or claims for offset by the Executive against Bank.
(3) The Executive shall notify the Bank in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Bank of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Bank of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which the Executive gives such notice to the Bank (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Bank notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(a) give the Bank any information reasonably requested by the Bank relating to such claim,
(b) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Bank shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Bank,
(c) cooperate with the Bank in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim, and
(d) permit the Bank to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Bank shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section iv (3), the Bank shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Bank shall determine; provided, however, that if the Bank directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Bank shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Bank's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(4) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Bank pursuant to Section iv (3), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Bank's complying with the requirements of Section iv (3)) promptly pay to the Bank the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Bank pursuant to Section iv (3), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Bank does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after Bank's receipt of such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up payment required to be paid.
(v) Except as provided in this Section 8(b) or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which he performs services as an employee of the Bank.
(vi) Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Section 8(b) (whether by seeking new employment or otherwise) and no such payment or benefit shall be reduced by earnings that Executive may receive from any other source.
(vii) In the event of a Change in Control of the Bank during the period Executive remains in Service, all of the Shares which are unvested as of the effective date of such Change in Control shall immediately become vested. For the purposes hereof, a "Change in Control" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) of the First Northern Community Bancorp 2000 Stock Option Plan.
(viii) If employment is terminated due to a Change in Control of the Bank the Executive shall receive whatever rights maybe specified pursuant to the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement/Split Dollar Agreement.
(i) If Executive's employment is terminated under the provisions of Section 7(d) or (e) hereof and such termination is not within two years following a Change of Control, Executive shall receive:
(1) 100% of the sum of (i) Executive's annual base salary under Section 5(a) hereof as in effect on the date the Term of Employment ends and (ii) the average of the annual bonuses awarded to Executive by the Bank for the three most recent consecutive years prior to the date the Term of Employment ends,
(2) any incentive compensation earned but not yet paid,
(3) whatever rights may be specified in Stock Option Agreements with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Community Bancorp Stock Option Plan. It being understood that the definition of Change of Control set forth in such Stock Option Agreement may differ from that set forth herein,
(4) whatever rights may be specified in Salary Continuation Agreement with the Executive executed pursuant to the First Northern Bank of Dixon Salary Continuation Agreement/Split Dollar Agreement, and
(5) reimbursement of expenses incurred under Section 5(c) hereof but not yet reimbursed.
(ii) During the 12-month period commencing upon a termination of employment under Section 7(d) or (e) hereof, Executive (and, where applicable, Executive's dependents) shall be entitled to continue participation in the group insurance plans maintained by the Bank, including life, disability and health insurance programs, as if Executive were still an employee of the Bank. Where applicable, Executive's salary for purposes of such plans shall be deemed to be equal to Executive's annual base salary as in effect on the date the Term of Employment ends. To the extent that the Bank finds it not feasible to obtain coverage for Executive under its group insurance policies during such 12-month period, the Bank shall provide Executive with individual policies which offer at least the same level of coverage and which impose not more than the same costs on the Executive. The foregoing notwithstanding, in the event that Executive becomes eligible for comparable group insurance coverage in connection with new employment, the coverage provided by the Bank under Section 6(f) shall terminate immediately. Any group health continuation coverage that the Bank is required to offer under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA") shall commence when coverage under this Section 8(c)(ii) terminates.
(iii) Except as provided in this Section 8(c) or required by law, all of Executive's employee benefits and compensation shall cease on the last day on which Executive performs services as an employee of the Bank.
(iv) Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Section 8(c) (whether by seeking new employment or otherwise) and no such payment or benefit shall be reduced by earnings that Executive may receive from any other source.
(i) willfully breached or habitually neglected or breached the duties which the Executive was required to perform under the terms of this Agreement or the policies of the Bank or
(ii) committed act(s) of dishonesty, theft, embezzlement, fraud, misrepresentation, or other act(s) of moral turpitude against the Bank, its subsidiaries or affiliates, its shareholders, or its employees or which adversely impact the interest of the Bank.
(i) any person or group (as such terms are used in connection with Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Bank representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Bank's then outstanding securities;
(ii) the Bank is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or
(iii) during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (including for this purpose any new director whose election or nomination for election by the Bank's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), a "Change of Control" will not be deemed to have occurred solely because of the acquisition of securities of the Bank (or any reporting requirement under the Act relating thereto) by an employee benefit plan maintained by the Bank for its employees.
(a) Executive agrees to comply fully with the Bank's policies relating to non-disclosure of the Bank's trade secrets and proprietary information and processes, including information regarding the Bank's customers and prospective customers. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive will not, during the term of Executive's employment by the Bank, disclose any such secrets, information, or processes to any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, nor shall Executive make use of any such property for Executive's own purposes or for the benefit of any person, firm, corporation, or other entity (except the Bank) under any circumstances during or after the term of Executive's employment, provided that after the term of Executive's employment, this provision shall not apply to secrets, information, and processes that are then in the public domain (provided that Executive was not responsible, directly or indirectly, for such secrets, information, or processes entering the public domain without the Bank's consent).
(b) Executive hereby sells, transfers, and assigns to the Bank all of
the entire right, title, and interest of Executive in and to all inventions,
ideas, disclosures, and improvements, whether patented or unpatented, and
copyrightable material, to the extent made or conceived by Executive, solely or
jointly, during the term of this Agreement, except to the extent prohibited by
Section 2870 of the California Labor Code, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit A. Executive shall communicate promptly and disclose to the Bank, in
such form as the Bank requests, all information, details, and data pertaining to
the aforementioned inventions, ideas, disclosures, and improvements; and,
whether during the term hereof or thereafter, Executive shall execute and
deliver to the Bank such formal transfers and assignments and such other papers
and documents as may be required of Executive to permit the Bank to file and
prosecute any patent applications relating to such inventions, ideas,
disclosures, and improvements and, as to copyrightable material, to obtain
copyright thereon.
(c) Trade secrets, proprietary information, and processes shall not be deemed to include information which is:
(i) known to Executive at the time of the disclosure;
(ii) publicly known (or becomes publicly known) without the fault or negligence of Executive;
(iii) received from a third party without restriction and without breach of this Agreement;
(iv) approved for release by written authorization of the Bank; or
(v) required to be disclosed by law; provided, however, that in the event of a proposed disclosure pursuant to this subsection 12(c)(v), the recipient shall give the Bank prior written notice before such disclosure is made.
(d) Executive agrees that in the event that Executive's employment terminates for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Bank all property belonging to the Bank, including all documents and materials of any nature pertaining to Executive's employment with the Bank.
(a) Any controversy or claim between Bank and Executive arising from or relating to this Agreement or any agreement or instrument delivered under or in connection with this Agreement, including any alleged dispute, breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of this Agreement, shall, at the option of Executive or Bank, be submitted to arbitration, using either the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") or Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. ("JAMS") in accordance with the rules of either JAMS or AAA (at the option of the party initiating the arbitration) and Title 9 of the U.S. Code. All statutes of limitations or any waivers contained herein which would otherwise be applicable shall apply to any arbitration proceeding under this Section 21(a). The parties agree that related arbitration proceedings may be consolidated. The arbitrator shall prepare written reasons for the award. Judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
(b) No provision of, or the exercise of any rights under, Section 21(a) hereof shall limit the right of any party to exercise self help remedies or to obtain provisional or ancillary remedies, such as injunctive relief from a court having jurisdiction before, during or after the pendency of any arbitration. The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of provisional or ancillary remedies or exercise of self help remedies shall not constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or claim to arbitration.
(c) If any arbitration, legal action or other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument delivered under or in connection with this Agreement, or because of an alleged dispute, breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any of the provisions of this Agreement, the successful or prevailing party or parties shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs incurred in that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it or they may be entitled.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the day herein first above written.
FIRST NORTHERN BANK OF DIXON
EXECUTIVE
Exhibit A - California Labor Code Section 2870
CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE SECTION 2870
Section 2870. Application of provision providing that employee shall assign or offer to assign rights in invention to employer.
(a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer's equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those inventions that either;
(i) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer.
(ii) Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.
(b) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable.