UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

April 29, 2011

Date of Report

(Date of earliest event reported)

 

First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas

 

0-28312

 

71-0785261

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

 

 

 

Identification No.)

 

1401 Highway 62-65 North, Harrison, Arkansas

 

72601

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(870) 741-7641

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o             Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o             Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 5.02.                   Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

 

As described below in Item 5.07 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, on April 29, 2011, the stockholders of First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “ Company ”), approved the adoption of the First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”).  A description of the material terms of the Plan is set forth in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2011 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  Copies of the Plan, as well as forms of the Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement, Restricted Stock Award Agreement and Stock Option Agreement relating to awards to be made pursuant to the Plan are attached as Exhibits 10.1 , 10.2 , 10.3 and 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 5.07.      Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

A Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Company was held on April 29, 2011. This Current Report on Form 8-K discloses the voting results for all matters voted upon at the Special Meeting of Stockholders.  Each of the matters voted upon at the Special Meeting of Stockholders was approved by the Company’s stockholders.

 

As of the record date for the vote, the Company had 4,846,785 shares of common stock outstanding, which were entitled to one vote per share.  A brief description of the proposals voted upon at the Special Meeting of Stockholders and the results of the votes for each are as follows:

 

PROPOSAL

 

FOR

 

AGAINST

 

ABSTAIN

 

BROKER
NON-VOTES

Proposal #1 — Approval of an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, to effect a 1-for-5 reverse stock split (the “ Reverse Split ”) of all outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock

 

4,224,354

 

244,893

 

2,685

 

2,888

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposal #2 — Approval of the issuance of more than 20% of the Company’s post-Reverse Split outstanding common stock in accordance with the terms of the Investment Agreement between the Company, First Federal Bank and Bear State Financial Holdings, LLC

 

2,814,011

 

248,764

 

3,420

 

1,408,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposal #3 — Approval of the adoption of the First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

2,745,887

 

302,874

 

17,437

 

1,408,622

 

Item 7.01.      Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On April 29, 2011, the Company issued a Press Release announcing the results of the Special Meeting of Stockholders, which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

 

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information disclosed in Item 7.01 of, and Exhibit 99.1 attached to, this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing.

 

Item 9.01.      Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

10.1                            First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

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10.2                            Form of Notice of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant, including Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement

 

10.3                            Form of Notice of Restricted Stock Grant, including Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement

 

10.4                            Form of Notice of Stock Option Grant, including Form of Stock Option Agreement

 

99.1                            Press Release dated April 29, 2011

 

2



 

S IGNATURES

 

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.

 

 

FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Larry J. Brandt

 

Name:

Larry J. Brandt

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date:  April 29, 2011

 

3


 

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

FIRST FEDERA L BANCSHARE S O F ARKANSAS , INC.

2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN.

 

 



 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1.

ESTABLISHMENT, OBJECTIVES, AND DURATION

1

1.1

Establishment of the Plan

1

1.2

Objectives of the Plan

1

1.3

Duration of the Plan

1

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2.

DEFINITIONS

1

2.1

“Award”

1

2.2

“Award Agreement”

1

2.3

“Beneficial Ownership”

2

2.4

“Board”

2

2.5

“Change in Control”

2

2.6

“Code”

3

2.7

“Committee”

3

2.8

“Company”

3

2.9

“Consultant”

3

2.10

“Director”

3

2.11

“Dividend Equivalent”

3

2.12

“Effective Date”

3

2.13

“Employee”

3

2.14

“Exchange Act”

3

2.15

“Exercise Price”

3

2.16

“Fair Market Value”

4

2.17

“Freestanding SAR”

4

2.18

“Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO”

4

2.19

“Investment Agreement

4

2.20

“Nonqualified Stock Option” or “NQSO”

4

2.21

“Option”

4

2.22

“Other Award”

4

2.23

“Participant”

4

2.24

“Performance-Based Exception”

4

2.25

“Performance Period”

4

2.26

“Performance Share”

4

2.27

“Performance Unit”

4

2.28

“Period of Restriction”

4

2.29

“Person”

4

2.30

“Replacement Awards”

5

2.31

“Restricted Stock”

5

2.32

“Restricted Stock Unit”

5

2.33

“Share”

5

2.34

“Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR”

5

2.35

“Subsidiary”

5

2.36

“Tandem SAR”

5

 

i



 

ARTICLE 3.

ADMINISTRATION

5

3.1

The Committee

5

3.2

Authority of the Committee

5

3.3

Decisions Binding

6

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4.

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN; INDIVIDUAL LIMITS; AND ANTI-DILUTION ADJUSTMENTS

6

4.1

Number of Shares Available for Grants

6

4.2

Individual Limits

7

4.3

Adjustments in Authorized Shares and Awards

7

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5.

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

8

5.1

Eligibility

8

5.2

Actual Participation

8

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6.

OPTIONS

8

6.1

Grant of Options

8

6.2

Award Agreement

8

6.3

Exercise Price

8

6.4

Duration of Options

8

6.5

Exercise of Options

8

6.6

Payment

9

6.7

Restrictions on Share Transferability

9

6.8

Dividend Equivalents

9

6.9

Termination of Employment or Service

9

6.10

Nontransferability of Options

9

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7.

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

10

7.1

Grant of SARs

10

7.2

Exercise of Tandem SARs

10

7.3

Exercise of Freestanding SARs

10

7.4

Award Agreement

10

7.5

Term of SARs

10

7.6

Payment of SAR Amount

11

7.7

Dividend Equivalents

11

7.8

Termination of Employment or Service

11

7.9

Nontransferability of SARs

11

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8.

RESTRICTED STOCK

11

8.1

Grant of Restricted Stock

11

8.2

Award Agreement

11

8.3

Other Restrictions

11

8.4

Removal of Restrictions

12

8.5

Voting Rights

12

8.6

Dividends and Other Distributions

12

8.7

Termination of Employment or Service

12

 

ii



 

8.8

Nontransferability of Restricted Stock

12

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9.

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AND PERFORMANCE SHARES

12

9.1

Grant of Restricted Stock Units/Performance Shares

12

9.2

Award Agreement

13

9.3

Form and Timing of Payment

13

9.4

Voting Rights

13

9.5

Dividend Equivalents

13

9.6

Termination of Employment or Service

13

9.7

Nontransferability

13

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10.

PERFORMANCE UNITS

14

10.1

Grant of Performance Units

14

10.2

Award Agreement

14

10.3

Value of Performance Units

14

10.4

Form and Timing of Payment

14

10.5

Dividend Equivalents

14

10.6

Termination of Employment or Service

14

10.7

Nontransferability

14

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11.

OTHER AWARDS

15

11.1

Grant of Other Awards

15

11.2

Payment of Other Awards

15

11.3

Termination of Employment or Service

15

11.4

Nontransferability

15

 

 

 

ARTICLE 12.

REPLACEMENT AWARDS

15

 

 

 

ARTICLE 13.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

15

 

 

 

ARTICLE 14.

BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

16

 

 

 

ARTICLE 15.

DEFERRALS

17

 

 

 

ARTICLE 16.

RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS

17

16.1

Continued Service

17

16.2

Participation

17

 

 

 

ARTICLE 17.

CHANGE IN CONTROL

17

 

 

 

ARTICLE 18.

ADDITIONAL FORFEITURE PROVISIONS

18

 

 

 

ARTICLE 19.

AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION

18

19.1

Amendment, Modification and Termination

18

19.2

Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events

18

 

iii



 

19.3

Awards Previously Granted

19

19.4

Compliance with the Performance-Based Exception

19

 

 

 

ARTICLE 20.

WITHHOLDING

19

20.1

Tax Withholding

19

20.2

Use of Shares to Satisfy Withholding Obligation

19

 

 

 

ARTICLE 21.

INDEMNIFICATION

19

 

 

 

ARTICLE 22.

SUCCESSORS

20

 

 

 

ARTICLE 23.

LEGAL CONSTRUCTION

20

23.1

Gender, Number and References

20

23.2

Severability

20

23.3

Requirements of Law

20

23.4

Governing Law

20

23.5

Non-Exclusive Plan

21

23.6

Code Section 409A Compliance

21

 

iv



 

First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc.

 

2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

ARTICLE 1

 

ESTABLISHMENT, OBJECTIVES, AND DURATION

 

1.1           Establishment of the Plan . First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc., hereby establishes an incentive compensation plan to be known as the “First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan” (hereinafter referred to as the “ Plan ”). The Plan permits the granting of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units and Other Awards.

 

The Plan will become effective immediately upon consummation of the First Closing (as defined in the Investment Agreement) (the “ Effective Date ”) if it is approved by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s 2011 annual stockholders meeting. The Plan shall remain in effect as provided in Section 1.3 hereof.

 

1.2           Objectives of the Plan . The objectives of the Plan are to optimize the profitability and growth of the Company through incentives that are consistent with the Company’s goals and that link the personal interests of Participants to those of the Company’s stockholders.

 

The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract and retain the services of Participants who make or are expected to make significant contributions to the Company’s success and to allow Participants to share in the success of the Company.

 

1.3           Duration of the Plan . No Award may be granted under the Plan after the day immediately preceding the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, or such earlier date as the Board shall determine. The Plan will remain in effect with respect to outstanding Awards until no Awards remain outstanding.

 

ARTICLE 2

 

DEFINITIONS

 

The following terms, when capitalized, shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

2.1           “ Award ” means, individually or collectively, Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, and Other Awards granted under the Plan.

 

2.2           “ Award Agreement ” means an agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award.

 

1



 

2.3           “ Beneficial Ownership ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.

 

2.4           “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

2.5           “ Change in Control ” means that the conditions set forth in any one of the following subsections shall have been satisfied:

 

(a)           an acquisition immediately after which any Person possesses direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership of 25% or more of either the then outstanding shares of Company common stock (the “ Outstanding Company Common Stock ”) or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “ Outstanding Company Voting Securities ”); provided that the following acquisitions shall be excluded: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so converted was itself acquired directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary, or (iv) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction that complies with paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2.5 ; or

 

(b)           during any period of two consecutive years, the individuals who, as of the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (such Board shall be hereinafter referred to as the “ Incumbent Board ”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided that for purposes of this Section 2.5 , any individual who becomes a member of the Board subsequent to the beginning of such period and whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of those individuals who are members of the Board and who were also members of the Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this proviso) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; provided, further, that any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board shall not be so considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; or

 

(c)           consummation of a reorganization, merger, share exchange, consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (“ Corporate Transaction ”); excluding, however, such a Corporate Transaction pursuant to which:

 

(i)            all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who have Beneficial Ownership, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction will have Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction (including, without limitation, the Company or a corporation that as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (the “ Resulting Corporation ”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such

 

2



 

Corporate Transaction, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be;

 

(ii)           no Person (other than (1) the Company, (2) an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or Resulting Corporation, or (3) any entity controlled by the Company or Resulting Corporation) will have Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common stock of the Resulting Corporation or the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Resulting Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Corporate Transaction; and

 

(iii)          individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board will continue to constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Resulting Corporation; or

 

(d)           the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

For avoidance of doubt, the transactions contemplated pursuant to the terms of the Investment Agreement shall not constitute a Change in Control.

 

2.6           “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

2.7           “ Committee ” means the entity, as specified in Section 3.1 , authorized to administer the Plan.

 

2.8           “ Company ” means First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc., and any successor thereto.

 

2.9           “ Consultant ” means any consultant or advisor to the Company or a Subsidiary.

 

2.10         “ Director ” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or a Subsidiary.

 

2.11         “ Dividend Equivalent ” means, with respect to Shares subject to an Award, a right to be paid an amount equal to the dividends declared and paid on an equal number of outstanding Shares.

 

2.12         “ Effective Date ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.1 hereof.

 

2.13         “ Employee ” means any employee of the Company or a Subsidiary.

 

2.14         “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

2.15         “ Exercise Price ” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option.

 

3



 

2.16         “ Fair Market Value ” means the fair market value of a Share as determined in good faith by the Committee or pursuant to a procedure specified in good faith by the Committee; provided, however, that if the Committee has not specified otherwise, Fair Market Value shall mean the closing price of a Share as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market.

 

2.17         “ Freestanding SAR ” means an SAR that is granted independently of any Options, as described in Article 7 herein.

 

2.18         “ Incentive Stock Option ” or “ ISO ” means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422.

 

2.19         “ Investment Agreement ” means that certain Investment Agreement dated as of January 27, 2011 between the Company, First Federal Bank and Bear State Financial Holdings, LLC.

 

2.20         “ Nonqualified Stock Option ” or “ NQSO ” means an Option that is not intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422.

 

2.21         “ Option ” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option granted under the Plan, as described in Article 6 herein.

 

2.22         “ Other Award ” means a cash, Share-based or Share-related Award (other than an Award described in Article 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 of the Plan) that is granted pursuant to Article 11 herein.

 

2.23         “ Participant ” means a current or former Employee, Director or Consultant who has rights relating to an outstanding Award.

 

2.24         “ Performance-Based Exception ” means the performance-based exception from the tax deductibility limitations of Code Section 162(m).

 

2.25         “ Performance Period ” means the period during which a performance measure must be met.

 

2.26         “ Performance Share ” means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Article 9 herein.

 

2.27         “ Performance Unit ” means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Article 10 herein.

 

2.28         “ Period of Restriction ” means the period Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and are not transferable, as provided in Articles 8 and 9 herein.

 

2.29         “ Person ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof.

 

4



 

2.30         “ Replacement Awards ” means Awards issued in substitution of awards granted under equity-based incentive plans sponsored or maintained by an entity with which the Company engages in a merger, acquisition or other business transaction, pursuant to which awards relating to interests in such entity (or a related entity) are outstanding immediately prior to such merger, acquisition or other business transaction. For all purposes hereunder, Replacement Awards shall be deemed Awards.

 

2.31         Restricted Stock ” means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Article 8 herein.

 

2.32         “ Restricted Stock Unit ” means an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Article 9 herein.

 

2.33         “ Share ” means a share common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof.

 

2.34         “ Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means an Award granted to a Participant, either alone or in connection with a related Option, as described in Article 7 herein.

 

2.35         “ Subsidiary ” means any corporation in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock, or any other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined equity thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining whether any individual may be a Participant for purposes of any grant of Incentive Stock Options, “Subsidiary” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Code Section 424(f).

 

2.36         “ Tandem SAR ” means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option, as described in Article 7 herein.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

3.1           The Committee . The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee as the Board shall select (the “ Committee ”). The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by, and shall serve at the discretion of, the Board.

 

3.2           Authority of the Committee . Except as limited by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, and subject to the provisions herein, the Committee shall have full power to select the Employees, Directors and Consultants who shall participate in the Plan; determine the sizes and types of Awards; determine the terms and conditions of Awards in a manner consistent with the Plan; construe and interpret the Plan and any Award Agreement or other agreement or instrument entered into in connection with the Plan; establish, amend, or waive rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration; and, subject to the provisions of Section 19.3 herein, amend the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award and Award Agreement. Further, the Committee shall make all other determinations that may be necessary or

 

5



 

advisable for the administration of the Plan. As permitted by law, the Committee may delegate its authority as identified herein.

 

3.3           Decisions Binding . All determinations and decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and all related orders and resolutions of the Board shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Persons, including the Company, its Subsidiaries, its stockholders, Directors, Employees, Consultants and their estates and beneficiaries and any transferee of an Award.

 

ARTICLE 4

 

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN; INDIVIDUAL LIMITS;
AND ANTI-DILUTION ADJUSTMENTS

 

4.1           Number of Shares Available for Grants .

 

(a)           Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3 herein, the maximum number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be 1,930,269 Shares; provided that:

 

(i)            Shares that are potentially deliverable under an Award granted under the Plan that is canceled, forfeited, settled in cash, expires or is otherwise terminated without delivery of such Shares shall not be counted as having been delivered under the Plan.

 

(ii)           Shares that have been issued in connection with an Award of Restricted Stock that is canceled or forfeited prior to vesting or settled in cash, causing the Shares to be returned to the Company, shall not be counted as having been delivered under the Plan.

 

If Shares are returned to the Company in satisfaction of taxes relating to Restricted Stock, in connection with a cash out of Restricted Stock (but excluding upon forfeiture of Restricted Stock) or in connection with the tendering of Shares by a Participant in satisfaction of the Exercise Price or taxes relating to an Award, such issued Shares shall not become available again under the Plan. Each SAR issued under the Plan will be counted as one share issued under the Plan without regard to the number of Shares issued to the Participant upon exercise of such SAR.

 

Shares delivered pursuant to the Plan may be authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares or Shares purchased on the open market.

 

(b)           Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3 herein, 965,134 Shares may be delivered in connection with “full value Awards,” meaning Awards other than Options, SARs, or Other Awards for which the Participant pays the grant date intrinsic value.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining the number of Shares available for grant as Incentive Stock Options, only Shares that are subject to an Award that expires or is cancelled, forfeited or settled in cash shall be treated as not having been issued under the Plan.

 

6



 

4.2           Individual Limits . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3 herein, the following rules shall apply with respect to Awards and any related dividends or Dividend Equivalents intended to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception:

 

(a)           Options :  The maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Options may be granted in any one fiscal year to any one Participant shall be 193,027 Shares.

 

(b)           SARs :  The maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in any one fiscal year to any one Participant shall be 193,027 Shares.

 

(c)           Restricted Stock :  The maximum aggregate number of Shares of Restricted Stock that may be granted in any one fiscal year to any one Participant shall be 193,027 Shares.

 

(d)           Restricted Stock Units :  The maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Restricted Stock Units may be granted in any one fiscal year to any one Participant shall be 193,027 Shares.

 

(e)           Performance Shares :  The maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Performance Shares may be granted in any one fiscal year to any one Participant shall be 193,027 Shares.

 

(f)            Performance Units :  The maximum aggregate compensation that can be paid pursuant to Performance Units awarded in any one fiscal year to any one Participant shall be $1,000,000 or a number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value not in excess of such amount.

 

(g)           Other Awards :  The maximum aggregate compensation that can be paid pursuant to Other Awards awarded in any one fiscal year to any one Participant shall be $1,000,000 or a number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value not in excess of such amount.

 

(h)           Dividends and Dividend Equivalents :  The maximum dividend or Dividend Equivalent that may be paid in any one fiscal year to any one Participant shall be $1,000,000.

 

4.3           Adjustments in Authorized Shares and Awards . In the event of any equity restructuring (within the meaning of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R), such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, the Committee shall cause an equitable adjustment to be made (i) in the number and kind of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan under Section 4.1 hereof, (ii) in the individual limitations set forth in Section 4.2 hereof and (iii) with respect to outstanding Awards, in the number and kind of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, the Exercise Price, grant price or other price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, any performance conditions relating to Shares, the market price of Shares, or per-Share results, and other terms and conditions of outstanding Awards, in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights. In the event of any other change in corporate capitalization, such as a merger, consolidation or liquidation, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause an equitable adjustment as described in the foregoing sentence to be made, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights. The number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be rounded down to a whole number when adjustments

 

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are made pursuant to this Section 4.3 . Adjustments made by the Committee pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

ARTICLE 5

 

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

 

5.1           Eligibility . Persons eligible to participate in the Plan include all Employees, Directors and Consultants.

 

5.2           Actual Participation . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from all eligible Employees, Directors and Consultants, those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award.

 

ARTICLE 6

 

OPTIONS

 

6.1           Grant of Options . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted to Participants in such amounts, upon such terms, and at such times as the Committee shall determine.

 

6.2           Award Agreement . Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Exercise Price, the duration of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. The Award Agreement also shall specify whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or an NQSO. Options that are intended to be ISOs shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Code Section 422.

 

6.3           Exercise Price . The Exercise Price for each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be at least equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to Replacement Awards or Awards that are adjusted pursuant to Section 4.3 herein. No ISO granted to a Participant who, at the time the ISO is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary shall have an Exercise Price that is less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the ISO is granted.

 

6.4           Duration of Options . Each Option granted to a Participant shall expire at such time as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Option shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary date of its grant. No ISO granted to a Participant who, at the time the ISO is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be exercisable later than the fifth (5th) anniversary of the date of its grant.

 

6.5           Exercise of Options . Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement and as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant.

 

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6.6           Payment . Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Company, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised and specifying the method of payment of the Exercise Price.

 

The Exercise Price of an Option shall be payable to the Company in full: (a) in cash or its equivalent, (b) by tendering Shares or directing the Company to withhold Shares from the Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the Exercise Price, (c) by broker-assisted cashless exercise, (d) in any other manner then permitted by the Committee, or (e) by a combination of any of the permitted methods of payment. The Committee may limit any method of payment, other than that specified under (a), for administrative convenience, to comply with applicable law, or for any other reason.

 

6.7           Restrictions on Share Transferability . The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under this Article 6 as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.

 

6.8           Dividend Equivalents . At the discretion of the Committee, an Award of Options may provide the Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents, which may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, and may be settled in cash and/or Shares, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, subject in each case to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish.

 

6.9           Termination of Employment or Service . Each Participant’s Option Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the Option following termination of the Participant’s employment or, if the Participant is a Director or Consultant, service with the Company and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Options, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service.

 

6.10         Nontransferability of Options .

 

(a)           Incentive Stock Options . ISOs may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during a Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant.

 

(b)           Nonqualified Stock Options . NQSOs may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during a Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant. NQSOs may not be transferred for value or consideration.

 

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ARTICLE 7

 

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

7.1           Grant of SARs . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, SARs may be granted to Participants in such amounts, upon such terms, and at such times as the Committee shall determine. The Committee may grant Freestanding SARs, Tandem SARs, or any combination of these forms of SAR.

 

The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of SARs granted to each Participant (subject to Article 4 herein) and, consistent with the provisions of the Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such SARs.

 

The grant price of a Freestanding SAR shall at least equal the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of the SAR, and the grant price of a Tandem SAR shall equal the Exercise Price of the related Option; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to Replacement Awards or Awards that are adjusted pursuant to Section 4.3 herein.

 

7.2           Exercise of Tandem SARs . A Tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the Shares for which its related Option is then exercisable. To the extent exercisable, Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part of the Shares subject to the related Option. The exercise of all or part of a Tandem SAR shall result in the forfeiture of the right to purchase a number of Shares under the related Option equal to the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. Conversely, upon exercise of all or part of an Option with respect to which a Tandem SAR has been granted, an equivalent portion of the Tandem SAR shall similarly be forfeited.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, with respect to a Tandem SAR granted in connection with an ISO: (i) the Tandem SAR will expire no later than the expiration of the underlying ISO; (ii) the value of the payout with respect to the Tandem SAR may be for no more than one hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the Exercise Price of the underlying ISO and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the underlying ISO at the time the Tandem SAR is exercised; and (iii) the Tandem SAR may be exercised only when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the ISO exceeds the Exercise Price of the ISO.

 

7.3           Exercise of Freestanding SARs . Freestanding SARs may be exercised upon whatever terms and conditions the Committee, in its sole discretion, imposes upon them and sets forth in the Award Agreement.

 

7.4           Award Agreement . Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the grant price, the term of the SAR, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.

 

7.5           Term of SARs . The term of an SAR granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion; provided, however, that such term shall not exceed ten (10) years.

 

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7.6           Payment of SAR Amount . Upon exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

 

(a)           the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the grant price; by

 

(b)           the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

 

At the discretion of the Committee, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.

 

7.7           Dividend Equivalents . At the discretion of the Committee, an Award of SARs may provide the Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents, which may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, and may be settled in cash and/or Shares, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, subject in each case to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish.

 

7.8           Termination of Employment or Service . Each SAR Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the SAR following termination of the Participant’s employment or, if the Participant is a Director or Consultant, service with the Company and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all SARs, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service.

 

7.9           Nontransferability of SARs . SARs may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during a Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant. SARs may not be transferred for value or consideration.

 

ARTICLE 8

 

RESTRICTED STOCK

 

8.1           Grant of Restricted Stock . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Restricted Stock may be granted to Participants in such amounts, upon such terms, and at such times as the Committee shall determine.

 

8.2           Award Agreement . Each Restricted Stock grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period(s) of Restriction and, if applicable, Performance Period(s), the number of Shares of Restricted Stock granted, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.

 

8.3           Other Restrictions . The Committee shall impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, a requirement that Participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each Share of Restricted Stock, a requirement that the issuance of Shares of Restricted Stock be delayed, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals, time-based restrictions on vesting following the attainment of the performance goals, time-based

 

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restrictions, and/or restrictions under applicable laws or under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are listed or traded, or holding requirements or sale restrictions placed on the Shares by the Company upon vesting of such Restricted Stock. The Company may retain in its custody any certificate evidencing the Shares of Restricted Stock and place thereon a legend and institute stop-transfer orders on such Shares, and the Participant shall be obligated to sign any stock power requested by the Company relating to the Shares to give effect to the forfeiture provisions of the Restricted Stock.

 

8.4           Removal of Restrictions . Subject to applicable laws, Restricted Stock shall become freely transferable by the Participant after the last day of the Period of Restriction applicable thereto. Once Restricted Stock is released from the restrictions, the Participant shall be entitled to receive a certificate evidencing the Shares.

 

8.5           Voting Rights . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in a Participant’s Award Agreement, to the extent permitted or required by law, as determined by the Committee, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares during the Period of Restriction.

 

8.6           Dividends and Other Distributions . Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, during the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall receive all regular cash dividends paid with respect to all Shares while they are so held, and, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, all other distributions paid with respect to such Restricted Stock shall be credited to Participants subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid and paid at such time following full vesting as are paid the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which such distributions were made.

 

8.7           Termination of Employment or Service . Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to retain unvested Restricted Stock following termination of the Participant’s employment or, if the Participant is a Director or Consultant, service with the Company and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Awards of Restricted Stock, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service.

 

8.8           Nontransferability of Restricted Stock . Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, during the applicable Period of Restriction, a Participant’s Restricted Stock and rights relating thereto shall be available during the Participant’s lifetime only to such Participant, and such Restricted Stock and related rights may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

ARTICLE 9

 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AND PERFORMANCE SHARES

 

9.1           Grant of Restricted Stock Units/Performance Shares . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares may be granted to

 

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Participants in such amounts, upon such terms, and at such times as the Committee shall determine.

 

9.2           Award Agreement . Each grant of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the applicable Period(s) of Restriction and/or Performance Period(s) (as the case may be), the number of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares granted, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. The initial value of a Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Share shall be at least equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to Replacement Awards or Awards that are adjusted pursuant to Section 4.3 herein.

 

9.3           Form and Timing of Payment . Except as otherwise provided in Article 17 herein or a Participant’s Award Agreement, payment of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares shall be made at a specified settlement date that shall not be earlier than the last day of the Period of Restriction or Performance Period, as the case may be. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares by delivery of Shares or by payment in cash of an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such Shares (or a combination thereof). The Committee may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares shall be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant.

 

9.4           Voting Rights . A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares granted hereunder; provided, however, that the Committee may deposit Shares potentially deliverable in connection with Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares in a rabbi trust, in which case the Committee may provide for pass through voting rights with respect to such deposited Shares.

 

9.5           Dividend Equivalents . At the discretion of the Committee, an Award of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares may provide the Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents, which may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, and may be settled in cash and/or Shares, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, subject in each case to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish.

 

9.6           Termination of Employment or Service . Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive a payout with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares following termination of the Participant’s employment or, if the Participant is a Director or Consultant, service with the Company and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Restricted Stock Units or Performance Shares, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service.

 

9.7           Nontransferability . Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares and rights relating thereto may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

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ARTICLE 10

 

PERFORMANCE UNITS

 

10.1         Grant of Performance Units . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Performance Units may be granted to Participants in such amounts, upon such terms, and at such times as the Committee shall determine.

 

10.2         Award Agreement . Each grant of Performance Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the number of Performance Units granted, the Performance Period(s), the performance goals and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.

 

10.3         Value of Performance Units . The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion that, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number and/or value of Performance Units that will be paid out to the Participants.

 

10.4         Form and Timing of Payment . Except as otherwise provided in Article 17 herein or a Participant’s Award Agreement, payment of earned Performance Units shall be made following the close of the applicable Performance Period. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units in cash or in Shares that have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units (or a combination thereof). The Committee may provide that settlement of Performance Units shall be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant.

 

10.5         Dividend Equivalents . At the discretion of the Committee, an Award of Performance Units may provide the Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents, which may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, and may be settled in cash and/or Shares, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, subject in each case to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish.

 

10.6         Termination of Employment or Service . Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive a payout with respect to an Award of Performance Units following termination of the Participant’s employment or, if the Participant is a Director or Consultant, service with the Company and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Performance Units and may reflect distinctions based on reasons for termination of employment or service.

 

10.7         Nontransferability . Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, Performance Units and rights relating thereto may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

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ARTICLE 11

 

OTHER AWARDS

 

11.1         Grant of Other Awards . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Other Awards may be granted to Participants in such amounts, upon such terms, and at such times as the Committee shall determine. Types of Other Awards that may be granted pursuant to this Article 11 include, without limitation, the payment of cash or Shares based on attainment of performance goals established by the Committee, the payment of Shares as a bonus or in lieu of cash based on attainment of performance goals established by the Committee, and the payment of Shares in lieu of cash under other Company incentive or bonus programs.

 

11.2         Payment of Other Awards . Payment under or settlement of any such Awards shall be made in such manner and at such times as the Committee may determine.

 

11.3         Termination of Employment or Service . The Committee shall determine the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive Other Awards following termination of the Participant’s employment or, if the Participant is a Director or Consultant, service with the Company and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, may be included in an agreement entered into with each Participant, but need not be uniform among all Other Awards, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or service.

 

11.4         Nontransferability . Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, Other Awards and rights relating thereto may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

ARTICLE 12

 

REPLACEMENT AWARDS

 

Each Replacement Award shall have substantially the same terms and conditions (as determined by the Committee) as the award it replaces; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to Replacement Awards, the Exercise Price, grant price or other price of Shares subject to Replacement Awards, any performance conditions relating to Shares underlying Replacement Awards, or the market price of Shares underlying Replacement Awards or per-Share results may differ from the awards they replace to the extent such differences are determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

 

ARTICLE 13

 

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

 

The Committee may specify that the attainment of one or more of the performance measures set forth in this Article 13 shall determine the degree of granting, vesting and/or payout with respect to Awards (including any related dividends or Dividend Equivalents) that the Committee intends will qualify for the Performance-Based Exception. The performance goals to be used for such Awards shall be chosen from among the following performance measure(s):

 

15



 

earnings per share, economic value created, market share (actual or targeted growth), net income (before or after taxes), operating income, adjusted net income after capital charge, return on assets (actual or targeted growth), return on capital (actual or targeted growth), return on equity (actual or targeted growth), return on investment (actual or targeted growth), revenue (actual or targeted growth), cash flow, operating margin, share price, share price growth, total stockholder return, and strategic business criteria consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified market penetration goals, productivity measures, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction or employee satisfaction goals, goals relating to merger synergies, management of employment practices and employee benefits, or supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of Subsidiaries and/or other affiliates or joint ventures. The targeted level or levels of performance with respect to such performance measures may be established at such levels and on such terms as the Committee may determine, in its discretion, including in absolute terms, as a goal relative to performance in prior periods, or as a goal compared to the performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple companies. Awards (including any related dividends or Dividend Equivalents) that are not intended to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception may be based on these or such other performance measures as the Committee may determine.

 

Achievement of performance goals in respect of Awards intended to qualify under the Performance-Based Exception shall be measured over a Performance Period, and the goals shall be established not later than ninety (90) days after the beginning of the Performance Period or, if less than (90) days, the number of days that is equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the relevant Performance Period applicable to the Award. The Committee shall have the discretion to adjust the determinations of the degree of attainment of the pre-established performance goals; provided, however, that Awards that are designed to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception may not be adjusted upward (the Committee may, in its discretion, adjust such Awards downward).

 

ARTICLE 14

 

BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

 

Each Participant under the Plan may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of his or her death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Committee, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing during the Participant’s lifetime with the Committee. In the absence of any such designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death shall be paid to the Participant’s estate.

 

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ARTICLE 15

 

DEFERRALS

 

If permitted by the Committee, a Participant may defer receipt of amounts that would otherwise be provided to such Participant with respect to an Award, including Shares deliverable upon exercise of an Option or SAR or upon payout of any other Award. If permitted, such deferral (and the required deferral election) shall be made in accordance with, and shall be subject to, the terms and conditions of the applicable nonqualified deferred compensation plan, agreement or arrangement under which such deferral is made and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe.

 

ARTICLE 16

 

RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS

 

16.1         Continued Service . Nothing in the Plan shall:

 

(a)           interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or a Subsidiary to terminate any Participant’s employment or service at any time,

 

(b)           confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary, nor

 

(c)           confer on any Director any right to continue to serve on the Board of Directors of the Company or a Subsidiary.

 

16.2         Participation . No Employee, Director or Consultant shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under the Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive future Awards.

 

ARTICLE 17

 

CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Award Agreement, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, unless otherwise specifically prohibited under applicable laws, or by the rules and regulations of any governing governmental agencies or national securities exchanges:

 

(a)           any and all outstanding Options and SARs granted hereunder shall become immediately exercisable; provided, however, that the Committee may instead provide that such Awards shall be automatically cashed out upon a Change in Control;

 

(b)           any Period of Restriction or other restriction imposed on Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Other Awards shall lapse; and

 

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(c)           any and all Performance Shares, Performance Units and other Awards (if performance-based) shall be deemed earned at the target level (or if no target level is specified, the maximum level) with respect to all open Performance Periods.

 

ARTICLE 18

 

ADDITIONAL FORFEITURE PROVISIONS

 

The Committee may condition a Participant’s right to receive a grant of an Award, to vest in the Award, to exercise the Award, to retain cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property acquired in connection with the Award, or to retain the profit or gain realized by the Participant in connection with the Award, including cash or other proceeds received upon sale of Shares acquired in connection with an Award, upon compliance by the Participant with specified conditions relating to non-competition, confidentiality of information relating to or possessed by the Company, non-solicitation of customers, suppliers, and employees of the Company, cooperation in litigation, non-disparagement of the Company and its officers, directors and affiliates, and other restrictions upon or covenants of the Participant, including during specified periods following termination of employment with or service for the Company and/or a Subsidiary.

 

ARTICLE 19

 

AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION

 

19.1         Amendment, Modification and Termination . The Board may at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that no amendment that requires stockholder approval in order for the Plan to continue to comply with Section 162(m) requirements, the NASDAQ listing standards or any rule promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any securities exchange on which the securities of the Company are listed shall be effective unless such amendment shall be approved by the requisite vote of stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon within the time period required under such applicable listing standard or rule.

 

19.2         Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events . The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4.3 hereof) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan; provided, however, that (except as provided in Section 4.3 hereof) the Committee does not have the power to amend the terms of previously granted options to reduce the exercise price per share subject to such options, or to cancel such options and grant substitute options with a lower exercise price per share than the cancelled options. The Company is not permitted to purchase for cash previously granted options with an exercise price that is greater than the Company’s trading price on the proposed date of purchase. With respect to any Awards intended to comply with the Performance-Based Exception, any such exception shall be

 

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specified at such times and in such manner as will not cause such Awards to fail to qualify under the Performance-Based Exception.

 

19.3         Awards Previously Granted . No termination, amendment or modification of the Plan or of any Award shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plan without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award, unless such termination, modification or amendment is required by applicable law and except as otherwise provided herein.

 

19.4         Compliance with the Performance-Based Exception . If it is intended that an Award (and/or any dividends or Dividend Equivalents relating to such Award) comply with the requirements of the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee may apply any restrictions it deems appropriate such that the Awards (and/or dividends or Dividend Equivalents) maintain eligibility for the Performance-Based Exception. If changes are made to Code Section 162(m) or regulations promulgated thereunder to permit greater flexibility with respect to any Award or Awards available under the Plan, the Committee may, subject to this Article 19 , make any adjustments to the Plan and/or Award Agreements it deems appropriate.

 

ARTICLE 20

 

WITHHOLDING

 

20.1         Tax Withholding . The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, domestic or foreign taxes required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Plan.

 

20.2         Use of Shares to Satisfy Withholding Obligation . With respect to withholding required upon the exercise of Options or SARs, upon the vesting or settlement of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units, or upon any other taxable event arising as a result of Awards granted hereunder, the Committee may require or may permit Participants to elect that the withholding requirement be satisfied, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold, or by tendering to the Company, Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory withholding (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes) that could be imposed on the transaction and, in any case in which it would not result in additional accounting expense to the Company, taxes in excess of the minimum statutory withholding amounts. Any such elections by a Participant shall be irrevocable, made in writing and signed by the Participant.

 

ARTICLE 21

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the Board, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of incorporation of the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting

 

19



 

from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification is subject to the person having been successful in the legal proceedings or having acted in good faith and what is reasonably believed to be a lawful manner in the Company’s best interests. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

 

ARTICLE 22

 

SUCCESSORS

 

All obligations of the Company under the Plan and with respect to Awards shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or other event, or a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

 

ARTICLE 23

 

LEGAL CONSTRUCTION

 

23.1         Gender, Number and References . Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural. Any reference in the Plan to an act or code or to any section thereof or rule or regulation thereunder shall be deemed to refer to such act, code, section, rule or regulation, as may be amended from time to time, or to any successor act, code, section, rule or regulation.

 

23.2         Severability . In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

 

23.3         Requirements of Law . The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

 

23.4         Governing Law . To the extent not preempted by federal law, the Plan, and all agreements hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of incorporation of the Company, without giving effect to conflicts or choice of law principles.

 

20



 

23.5         Non-Exclusive Plan . Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including other incentive arrangements and awards that do or do not qualify under the Performance-Based Exception.

 

23.6         Code Section 409A Compliance . To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Plan and any Awards granted under the Plan comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and any related regulations or other guidance promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service (collectively “ Section 409A ”). Any provision that would cause the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan to fail to satisfy Section 409A shall have no force or effect until amended to comply with Section 409A, which amendment may be retroactive to the extent permitted by Section 409A.

 

21



 

REVOCABLE PROXY

FIRST FEDERA L BANCSHARE S O F ARKANSAS INC.

 

PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC. (“COMPANY”) FOR USE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 29 , 2011 AND AT ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.

 

The undersigned, being a stockholder of the Company as of March 23, 2011, hereby authorizes and appoints the Board of Directors of the Company or any successors thereto as proxies with full powers of substitution, to represent the undersigned at the Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at First Federal Bank, 1401 Highway 62-65 North, Harrison, Arkansas 72601, on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., Central Time, and at any adjournment of said meeting, and thereat to act with respect to all votes that the undersigned would be entitled to cast, if then personally present, upon the proposals listed below and described in the Proxy Statement and in their discretion with respect to such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

Please be sure to date and sign this proxy card in the box below.

Date

 

 

 

 

Sign above

 

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the following proposals:

 

 

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. The Amendment. To approve an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, to effect a 1-for-5 reverse stock split of our common stock of all outstanding shares of common stock (the “Reverse Split”).

 

o

 

o

 

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. The Change of Control Issuance. To approve the issuance of more than 20% of our post-Reverse Split outstanding common stock in accordance with the terms of the Investment Agreement between the Company, First Federal Bank and Bear State Financial Holdings, LLC.

 

o

 

o

 

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. The 2011 Plan . To approve the First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

 

o

 

o

 

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Adjournment of Meeting. To approve an adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to adopt Proposals 1 through 3.

 

o

 

o

 

o

 

None of the Proposals 1, 2 or 3 will be implemented if either of Proposals 1 or 2 is not approved by our stockholders at the Special Meeting.

 

Detach above card, sign, date and mail in postage paid envelope provided.

 

FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 29 , 2011. The proxy materials for this Special Meeting of Stockholders are available over the Internet at www.cfpproxy.com/3947sm

 

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4. Shares of common stock of the Company will be voted as specified. If no specification is made, shares will be voted for Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4 and otherwise at the discretion of the proxies including on matters that properly come before the meeting. This proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised. None of the Proposals 1, 2 or 3 will be implemented if either of Proposals 1 or 2 is not approved by our stockholders at the Special Meeting.

 

The above signed hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of the Special Meeting of Stockholders of First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. called for April 29, 2011, a Proxy Statement for the Special Meeting and the 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy card. Only one signature is required in the case of a joint account. When signing in a representative capacity, please give title.

 

IF YOUR ADDRESS HAS CHANGED, PLEASE CORRECT THE ADDRESS IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW AND RETURN THIS PORTION WITH THE PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.

 

PLEASE ACT PROMPTLY, SIGN, DATE & MAIL YOUR PROXY CARD TODAY

 


Exhibit 10.2

 

FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC.

2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Notice of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant

 

You (the “ Grantee ”) have been granted the following award of restricted Common Stock (the “ Restricted Stock ”) of First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. (the “ Company ”), par value $0.01 per share (the “ Shares ”), pursuant to the First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) and the terms set forth in the attached Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement:

 

 

Name of Grantee:

 

[ · ]

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Granted:

 

[ · ]

 

 

 

 

 

Effective Date of Grant:

 

[ · ]

 

 

 

 

 

Vesting and Restriction:

 

See Appendix A

 

By your signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, you and the Company agree and acknowledge that the Restricted Stock is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the attached Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement, which are incorporated herein by reference, and that you have been provided with a copy of the Plan and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

Grantee:

 

First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

(Name)

 

Name:

 

Date:

 

 

Title:

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Appendix A

 

Vesting and Restrictions

 

This grant is subject to both time and performance-based vesting restrictions described below (collectively, the “ Period of Restriction ”).

 

Performance Restriction

 

In order for the Restricted Stock to vest, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Committee ”) must determine that the Company has achieved:

 

[Insert Applicable Performance Criteria]

 

Anniversary Date

 

% of Restricted Stock

 

First (1st) anniversary of the Effective Date of Grant

 

33.33%

 

Second (2nd) anniversary of the Effective Date of Grant

 

33.33%

 

Third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date of Grant

 

33.33%

 

 

Vesting

 

If the performance requirements are not achieved on or before [ · ] [ · ], 20[ · ], none of the Restricted Stock granted hereunder shall vest and, for no consideration, will automatically forfeit to the Company.

 

2



 

FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC.
2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement

 

Section 1. Grant of Restricted Stock

 

(a) Restricted Stock. On the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant, which is incorporated by reference, and this Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement (the “ Agreement ”), the Company grants to the Grantee on the Effective Date of Grant the Restricted Stock set forth in the Notice of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant.

 

(b) Plan and Defined Terms. The Restricted Stock is granted pursuant to the Plan. All terms, provisions, and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock set forth in the Plan and not set forth herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein. To the extent any provision hereof is inconsistent with a provision of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern. All capitalized terms that are used in the Notice of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant or this Agreement and not otherwise defined therein or herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

Section 2. Forfeiture and Transfer Restrictions

 

(a) Forfeiture Restrictions.

 

(i) If the Grantee’s employment or service as a Director or Consultant, as the case may be, is terminated for any reason other than death, Disability (as defined below) or termination by the Company and its Subsidiaries without Cause (as defined below), the Grantee shall, for no consideration, forfeit to the Company the Shares of Restricted Stock that are not vested at the time of such termination.

 

(ii) If the Grantee’s employment or service as a Director or Consultant, as the case may be, terminates due to the Grantee’s death or Disability (as defined below), or is terminated by the Company and its Subsidiaries without Cause (as defined below), prior to vesting of all of the Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Notice of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant and this Agreement, then, subject to the satisfaction of the Performance Restriction described in the next sentence, the Period of Restriction with respect to such Restricted Stock shall lapse, and the Restricted Stock shall vest and become free of the forfeiture and transfer restrictions described in this Section 2 on the date of the Grantee’s termination of employment or service. In the event the Performance Restriction set forth in Appendix A has not been satisfied on the date of the Grantee’s termination of employment or service, then the Restricted Stock shall not vest and Grantee shall, for no consideration, forfeit to the Company the Shares of Restricted Stock that are not vested at the time of such termination.

 

(iii) The term “ Cause ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Grantee’s employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary. If the Grantee’s employment agreement does not define the term “ Cause ,” or if the Grantee has not entered into an employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary, the term

 

3



 

Cause ” shall mean (A) the willful engaging by the Grantee in misconduct that is demonstrably injurious to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary (monetarily or otherwise), as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, (B) the Grantee’s conviction of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony involving moral turpitude, or (C) the Grantee’s violation of any confidentiality, non-solicitation, or non-competition covenant to which the Grantee is subject.

 

(iv) The term “ Disability ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Grantee’s employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary. If the Grantee’s employment agreement does not define the term “ Disability ,” or if the Grantee has not entered into an employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary, the term “ Disability ” shall mean the Grantee’s entitlement to long-term disability benefits pursuant to the long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or in which the Company’s employees participate.

 

(b) Transfer Restrictions. During the Period of Restriction, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of to the extent the Restricted Stock is subject to a Period of Restriction.

 

(c) Lapse of Restrictions. The Period of Restriction shall lapse as to the Restricted Stock in accordance with Appendix A attached to the Notice of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant. Subject to the terms of the Plan and Sections 2(d)  and 4(b)  hereof, upon lapse of the Period of Restriction, the Grantee shall own the Shares of Restricted Stock that are subject to this Agreement free of all restrictions otherwise imposed by this Agreement.

 

(d) Holding Requirement Following Period of Restriction. If and when the Grantee is an Officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) during the six-month period following the date the Shares of Restricted Stock vested, the Grantee may not sell, assign, pledge, exchange, hypothecate or otherwise transfer, encumber or dispose of fifty percent (50%) of any vested Shares of Restricted Stock during such six-month period; provided, however, that this Section 2(d)  shall not prohibit the Grantee from exchanging or otherwise disposing of Shares in connection with a Change in Control or other transaction in which Shares held by other Company shareholders are required to be exchanged or otherwise disposed.

 

Section 3. Stock Certificates.

 

As soon as practicable following the grant of Restricted Stock, the Shares of Restricted Stock shall be registered in the Grantee’s name in a restricted book-entry account at the Company’s transfer agent. The Grantee shall have no dividend rights but shall have all other rights of a holder of Shares, including the right to vote (or to execute proxies for voting) such Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if all or part of a dividend in respect of the Restricted Stock is paid in cash or Shares or any other security issued by the Company, such cash or Shares or other securities shall be held by the Company subject to the same restrictions as the Restricted Stock in respect of which the dividend was paid and shall be paid or distributed within thirty (30) days of vesting of such Restricted Stock.

 

4



 

Section 4. Trading Stock

 

Keep in mind that you are subject to insider trading liability if you are aware of material, nonpublic information when making a purchase or sale of Company stock. In addition, if you are a Section 16 officer of the Company, you are subject to blackout restrictions that prevent the sale of Company stock during certain time periods referred to as the “blackout period”. The current “blackout period” is from the end of each calendar quarter through two (2) days following the Company’s earnings release.

 

Section 5. Miscellaneous Provisions

 

(a) Acknowledgements. The Grantee hereby acknowledges that he or she has read and understands the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, and agrees to be bound by their respective terms and conditions. The Grantee acknowledges that there may be tax consequences upon the vesting or transfer of the Restricted Stock and that the Grantee should consult an independent tax advisor.

 

(b) Tax Withholding. Pursuant to Article 20 of the Plan, the Committee shall have the power and right to deduct or withhold, or require the Grantee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local taxes (including the Grantee’s FICA taxes) required by law to be withheld with respect to this Award. The Committee may condition the delivery of Shares upon the Grantee’s satisfaction of such withholding obligations. The Grantee may elect to satisfy all or part of such withholding requirement by tendering previously-owned Shares or by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory withholding (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, as applicable, including the Grantee’s FICA taxes) that could be imposed on the transaction, and, to the extent the Committee so permits, amounts in excess of the minimum statutory withholding to the extent it would not result in additional accounting expense. Such election shall be irrevocable, made in writing and signed by the Grantee, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

 

(c) Ratification of Actions. By accepting this Agreement, the Grantee and each person claiming under or through the Grantee shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated the Grantee’s acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan or this Agreement and Notice of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant by the Company, the Board or the Committee.

 

(d) Notice. Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at its principal executive office and to the Grantee at the address that he or she most recently provided in writing to the Company.

 

(e)  Section 83(b) Election.  If Grantee makes an election pursuant to section 83(b) of the Code with respect to this Award, Grantee shall be required to promptly file a copy of such election with the Committee, file notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service within

 

5



 

thirty (30) days of the date of the grant and shall provide the required withholding to the Company pursuant to Section 5(b).  Grantee is solely responsible for any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Section 83(b) of the Code.

 

(f) Choice of Law. This Agreement and the Notice of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state in which the Company is incorporated, without regard to any conflicts of law or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise cause the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant to be governed by or construed in accordance with the substantive law of another jurisdiction.

 

(g) Arbitration. Subject to Article 3 of the Plan, any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant shall be settled by binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in Harrison or Little Rock, Arkansas and in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall decide any issues submitted in accordance with the provisions and commercial purposes of the Plan, this Agreement and the Notice of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grant, provided that all substantive questions of law shall be determined in accordance with the state and Federal laws applicable in Texas, without regard to internal principles relating to conflict of laws.

 

(h) Modification or Amendment. This Agreement may only be modified or amended by written agreement executed by the parties hereto; provided, however, that the adjustments permitted pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Plan may be made without such written agreement.

 

(i) Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

 

(j) References to Plan. All references to the Plan (or to a Section or Article of the Plan) shall be deemed references to the Plan (or the Section or Article) as may be amended from time to time.

 

(k) Section 409A Compliance. To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Plan and this Agreement comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and any related regulations or other guidance promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service and the Plan and the Award Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.

 

6


Exhibit 10.3

 

FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC.

2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Notice of Restricted Stock Grant

 

You (the “ Grantee ”) have been granted the following award of restricted Common Stock (the “ Restricted Stock ”) of First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. (the “ Company ”), par value $0.01 per share (the “ Shares ”), pursuant to the First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”):

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Grantee:

 

[ · ]

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Shares of Restricted Stock Granted:

 

[ · ]

 

 

 

 

 

Effective Date of Grant:

 

[ · ]

 

 

 

 

 

Vesting and Period of Restriction:

 

Subject to the terms of the Plan and the Restricted Stock Award Agreement attached hereto, the Period of Restriction shall lapse, and the shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder shall vest and become free of the forfeiture and transfer restrictions contained in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, with respect to one-third of the total number of Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder on each anniversary of the Effective Date of Grant, until fully vested.

 

By your signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, you and the Company agree and acknowledge that this grant of Restricted Stock is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the attached Restricted Stock Award Agreement, which are incorporated herein by reference, and that you have been provided with a copy of the Plan and Restricted Stock Agreement.

 

Grantee:

 

First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

(Name)

 

Name:

 

Date:

 

 

Title:

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC.
2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Restricted Stock Award Agreement

 

Section 1. Grant of Restricted Stock

 

(a) Restricted Stock. On the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant and this Restricted Stock Award Agreement (the “ Agreement ”), the Company grants to the Grantee on the Effective Date of Grant the Shares of Restricted Stock (the “ Restricted Stock ”) set forth in the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant.

 

(b) Plan and Defined Terms. The Restricted Stock is granted pursuant to the Plan. All terms, provisions, and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock set forth in the Plan and not set forth herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein. To the extent any provision hereof is inconsistent with a provision of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern. All capitalized terms that are used in the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant or this Agreement and not otherwise defined therein or herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

Section 2. Forfeiture and Transfer Restrictions

 

(a) Forfeiture Restrictions. If the Grantee’s employment or service as a Director or Consultant, as the case may be, is terminated for any reason other than (i) death, (ii) Disability (as defined below) or (iii) termination by the Company and its Subsidiaries without Cause (as defined below), the Grantee shall, for no consideration, forfeit to the Company the Shares of Restricted Stock to the extent such Shares are subject to a Period of Restriction at the time of such termination. If the Grantee’s employment or service as a Director or Consultant, as the case may be, terminates due to the Grantee’s death or Disability, or is terminated by the Company and its Subsidiaries without Cause, while Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to a Period of Restriction, the Period of Restriction with respect to such Shares shall lapse, and the Shares shall vest and become free of the forfeiture and transfer restrictions described in this Section 2 , on the date of the Grantee’s termination of employment or service.

 

(i) The term “ Cause ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Grantee’s employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary. If the Grantee’s employment agreement does not define the term “ Cause ,” or if the Grantee has not entered into an employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary, the term “ Cause ” shall mean (A) the willful engaging by the Grantee in misconduct that is demonstrably injurious to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary (monetarily or otherwise), as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, (B) the Grantee’s conviction of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony involving moral turpitude, or (C) the Grantee’s violation of any confidentiality, non-solicitation, or non-competition covenant to which the Grantee is subject.

 

(ii) The term “ Disability ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Grantee’s employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary. If the Grantee’s employment agreement does not define the term “ Disability ,” or if the Grantee has not entered into an employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary, the term

 

2



 

Disability ” shall mean the Grantee’s entitlement to long-term disability benefits pursuant to the long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or in which the Company’s employees participate.

 

(b) Transfer Restrictions. During the Period of Restriction, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of to the extent such Shares are subject to a Period of Restriction.

 

(c) Lapse of Restrictions. The Period of Restriction shall lapse as to the Restricted Stock in accordance with the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant. Subject to the terms of the Plan and Section 4(a) hereof, upon lapse of the Period of Restriction, the Grantee shall own the Shares that are subject to this Agreement free of all restrictions otherwise imposed by this Agreement.

 

Section 3. Stock Certificates

 

As soon as practicable following the grant of Restricted Stock, the Shares of Restricted Stock shall be registered in the Grantee’s name in certificate or book-entry form. If a certificate is issued, it shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions and it shall be held by the Company, or its agent, on behalf of the Grantee until the Period of Restriction has lapsed. If the Shares are registered in book-entry form, the restrictions shall be placed on the book-entry registration. The Grantee may be required to execute and return to the Company a blank stock power for each Restricted Stock certificate (or instruction letter, with respect to Shares registered in book-entry form), which will permit transfer to the Company, without further action, of all or any portion of the Restricted Stock that is forfeited in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Except for the transfer restrictions, and subject to such other restrictions, if any, as determined by the Committee, the Participant shall have all other rights of a holder of Shares, including the right to receive dividends paid (whether in cash or property) with respect to the Restricted Stock and the right to vote (or to execute proxies for voting) such Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if all or part of a dividend in respect of the Restricted Stock is paid in Shares or any other security issued by the Company, such Shares or other securities shall be held by the Company subject to the same restrictions as the Restricted Stock in respect of which the dividend was paid.

 

Section 4. Miscellaneous Provisions

 

(a) Tax Withholding. Pursuant to Article 20 of the Plan, the Committee shall have the power and right to deduct or withhold, or require the Grantee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local taxes (including the Grantee’s FICA obligations) required by law to be withheld with respect to this Award. The Committee may condition the delivery of Shares upon the Grantee’s satisfaction of such withholding obligations. The Grantee may elect to satisfy all or part of such withholding requirement by tendering previously-owned Shares or by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory withholding (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, as applicable, including payroll taxes) that could be imposed on the transaction, and, to the extent the Committee so permits, amounts in excess of the minimum statutory withholding to the extent it would not result in additional accounting

 

3



 

expense. Such election shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by the Grantee, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

 

(b) Ratification of Actions. By accepting this Agreement, the Grantee and each person claiming under or through the Grantee shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated the Grantee’s acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan or this Agreement and Notice of Restricted Stock Grant by the Company, the Board or the Committee.

 

(c) Notice. Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at its principal executive office and to the Grantee at the address that he or she most recently provided in writing to the Company.

 

(d) Section 83(b) Election.  If Grantee makes an election pursuant to section 83(b) of the Code with respect to this Award, Grantee shall be required to promptly file a copy of such election with the Committee, file notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service within thirty (30) days of the date of the grant and shall provide the required withholding to the Company pursuant to Section 4(a).  Grantee is solely responsible for any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Section 83(b) of the Code.

 

(e) Choice of Law. This Agreement and the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state in which the Company is incorporated, without regard to any conflicts of law or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise cause the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant to be governed by or construed in accordance with the substantive law of another jurisdiction.

 

(f) Arbitration. Subject to, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of the Plan, any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant shall be settled by binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in Harrison or Little Rock, Arkansas and in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall decide any issues submitted in accordance with the provisions and commercial purposes of the Plan, this Agreement and the Notice of Restricted Stock Grant, provided that all substantive questions of law shall be determined in accordance with the state and Federal laws applicable in the state in which the Company is incorporated, without regard to internal principles relating to conflict of laws.

 

(g) Modification or Amendment. This Agreement may only be modified or amended by written agreement executed by the parties hereto; provided, however, that the adjustments permitted pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Plan may be made without such written agreement.

 

(h) Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

 

4



 

(i) References to Plan. All references to the Plan shall be deemed references to the Plan as may be amended from time to time.

 

(j) Section 409A Compliance. To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Plan and this Agreement comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and any related regulations or other guidance promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service and the Plan and the Award Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.

 

5


Exhibit 10.4

 

FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC.
2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Notice of Stock Option Grant

 

You (the “ Optionee ”) have been granted the following option (the “ Option ”) to purchase Common Stock of First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. (the “ Company ”), par value $0.01 per share (“ Share ”), pursuant to the First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”):

 

Name of Optionee:

 

[ · ]

 

 

 

Total Number of Shares

 

 

Subject to Option:

 

[ · ]

 

 

 

Type of Option:

 

[ · ]

 

 

 

Exercise Price Per Share:

 

$[ · ]

 

 

 

Effective Date of Grant:

 

[ · ]

 

 

 

Vesting Schedule:

 

[ · ]

 

 

 

Expiration Date:

 

[ · ]

 

By your signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, you and the Company agree and acknowledge that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the attached Stock Option Agreement, which are incorporated herein by reference, and that you have been provided with a copy of the Plan and Stock Option Agreement.

 

Optionee:

 

First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

(Name)

 

Name:

 

Date:

 

 

Title:

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC.

2011 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Stock Option Agreement

 

Section 1. Grant of Option .

 

(a) Option. On the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and this Stock Option Agreement (the “ Agreement ”), the Company grants to the Optionee on the Effective Date of Grant the option (the “ Option ”) to purchase at the Exercise Price the number of Shares set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant.

 

(b) Plan and Defined Terms. The Option is granted pursuant to the Plan. All terms, provisions, and conditions applicable to the Option set forth in the Plan and not set forth herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein. To the extent any provision hereof is inconsistent with a provision of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern. All capitalized terms that are used in the Notice of Stock Option Grant or this Agreement and not otherwise defined therein or herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

Section 2. Right to Exercise.

 

The Option hereby granted shall be exercised by written notice to the Committee, specifying the number of Shares the Optionee desires to purchase together with provision for payment of the Exercise Price. Subject to such limitations as the Committee may impose (including prohibition of one more of the following payment methods), payment of the Exercise Price may be made by (a) check payable to the order of the Company, for an amount in United States dollars equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of such Shares, (b) by tendering to the Company Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such Exercise Price, (c) by broker-assisted exercise, or (d) by a combination of such methods. The Company may require the Optionee to furnish or execute such other documents as the Company shall reasonably deem necessary (i) to evidence such exercise and (ii) to comply with or satisfy the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, applicable state or non-U.S. securities laws or any other law.

 

Section 3. Term and Expiration.

 

(a) Basic Term. Subject to earlier termination pursuant to the terms here, the Option shall expire on the expiration date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant.

 

(b) Termination of Employment or Service. If the Optionee’s employment or service as a Director or Consultant, as the case may be, is terminated, the Option shall expire on the earliest of the following occasions:

 

(i) The expiration date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant;

 

(ii) The date three months following the termination of the Optionee’s employment or service for any reason other than Cause, death, or Disability;

 

2



 

(iii) The date one year following the termination of the Optionee’s employment or service due to death or Disability; or

 

(iv) The date of termination of the Optionee’s employment or service for Cause.

 

The Optionee may exercise all or part of this Option at any time before its expiration under the preceding sentence, but, subject to the following sentence, only to the extent that the Option had become vested before the Optionee’s employment or service terminated. When the Optionee’s employment or service terminates, this Option shall expire immediately with respect to the number of Shares for which the Option is not yet vested. If the Optionee dies after termination of employment or service, but before the expiration of the Option, all or part of this Option may be exercised (prior to expiration) by the personal representative of the Optionee or by any person who has acquired this Option directly from the Optionee by will, bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Option was vested and exercisable upon termination of the Optionee’s employment or service.

 

(c) Definition of “Cause.” The term “ Cause ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Optionee’s employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary. If the Optionee’s employment agreement does not define the term “ Cause ,” or if the Optionee has not entered into an employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary, the term “ Cause ” shall mean (i) the willful engaging by the Optionee in misconduct that is demonstrably injurious to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary (monetarily or otherwise), (ii) the Optionee’s conviction of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony involving moral turpitude, or (iii) the Optionee’s violation of any confidentiality, non-solicitation, or non-competition covenant to which the Optionee is subject.

 

(d) Definition of “Disability.” The term “ Disability ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Optionee’s employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary. If the Optionee’s employment agreement does not define the term “ Disability ,” or if the Optionee has not entered into an employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary, the term “ Disability ” shall mean the Optionee’s entitlement to long-term disability benefits pursuant to the long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or in which the Company’s employees participate.

 

Section 4. Transferability of Option.

 

The Option shall not be transferable by the Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and the Option shall be exercisable during the Optionee’s lifetime only by the Optionee or on his or her behalf by the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative.

 

Section 5. Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

(a) Acknowledgements. The Optionee hereby acknowledges that he or she has read and understands the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, and agrees to be bound by their respective terms and conditions. The Optionee acknowledges that there may be tax consequences upon the exercise or transfer of the Option and that the Optionee should consult an independent tax advisor prior to any exercise of the Option.

 

3



 

(b) Tax Withholding. Pursuant to Article 20 of the Plan, the Committee shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Optionee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local taxes (including the Optionee’s FICA obligations) required by law to be withheld with respect to this Option. The Committee may condition the delivery of Shares upon the Optionee’s satisfaction of such withholding obligations. The Optionee may elect to satisfy all or part of such withholding requirement by tendering previously-owned Shares or by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory withholding (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, as applicable, including payroll taxes) that could be imposed on the transaction, and, to the extent the Committee so permits, amounts in excess of the minimum statutory withholding to the extent it would not result in additional accounting expense. Such election shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by the Optionee, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

 

(c) Notice Concerning Disqualifying Dispositions. If the Option is an Incentive Stock Option, the Optionee shall notify the Committee of any disposition of Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the Option if the disposition constitutes a “disqualifying disposition” within the meaning of Sections 421 and 422 of the Code (or any successor provision of the Code then in effect relating to disqualifying dispositions). Such notice shall be provided by the Optionee to the Committee in writing within 10 days of any such disqualifying disposition.

 

(d) Rights as a Stockholder. Neither the Optionee nor the Optionee’s transferee or representative shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares subject to this Option until the Option has been exercised and Share certificates have been issued to the Optionee, transferee or representative, as the case may be.

 

(e) Ratification of Actions. By accepting this Agreement, the Optionee and each person claiming under or through the Optionee shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated the Optionee’s acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan or this Agreement and Notice of Stock Option Grant by the Company, the Board, or the Committee.

 

(f) Notice. Any notice required by the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit with the United States Postal Service, by registered or certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid. Notice shall be addressed to the Company at its principal executive office and to the Optionee at the address that he or she most recently provided in writing to the Company.

 

(g) Choice of Law. This Agreement and the Notice of Stock Option Grant shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state in which the Company is incorporated, without regard to any conflicts of law or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise cause the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice of Stock Option Grant to be governed by or construed in accordance with the substantive law of another jurisdiction.

 

(h) Arbitration. Subject to, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of the Plan, any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice of Stock Option Grant shall be settled by binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in Harrison or

 

4



 

Little Rock, Arkansas and in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall decide any issues submitted in accordance with the provisions and commercial purposes of the Plan, this Agreement and the Notice of Stock Option Grant, provided that all substantive questions of law shall be determined in accordance with the state and Federal laws applicable in the state in which the Company is incorporated, without regard to internal principles relating to conflict of laws.

 

(i) Modification or Amendment. This Agreement may only be modified or amended by written agreement executed by the parties hereto; provided, however, that the adjustments permitted pursuant to Article 4.3 of the Plan may be made without such written agreement.

 

(j) Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

 

(k) References to Plan. All references to the Plan shall be deemed references to the Plan as may be amended from time to time.

 

(l) Section 409A Compliance. To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Plan and this Agreement comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and any related regulations or other guidance promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service and the Plan and the Award Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.

 

5


 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

1401 Highway 62-65 North

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

P O Box 550

Larry J. Brandt/CEO

Harrison, AR 72602

Tommy Richardson/COO

 

Sherri Billings/CFO

 

870.741.7641

 

FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF

2011 SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

HARRISON, AR (April 29, 2011) —First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFBH) (the “ Company ”), today announced the results of its April 29, 2011 special meeting of stockholders.  The Company’s stockholders approved all of the proposals put forward in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) on March 30, 2011, including the proposals required to implement the Company’s recapitalization plan.

 

The matters approved by the Company’s stockholders are as follows:

 

·                   The amendment of the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, to effect a 1-for-5 reverse stock split of all outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock;

·                   The issuance of more than 20% of the Company’s post-reverse split outstanding common stock in accordance with the terms of the Investment Agreement dated January 27, 2011 (the “ Investment Agreement ”), as amended, by and among the Company, First Federal Bank (the “ Bank ”), and Bear State Financial Holdings, LLC (“ Bear State ”); and

·                   The adoption of the First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

 

Larry J. Brandt, CEO of the Company said, “We appreciate the confidence and strong support of our many stockholders on all of the proposals associated with our recapitalization plan.  With these approvals in place, we are now positioned to implement the remaining steps in our recapitalization plan.”

 

The Company anticipates the initial closing of the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreement will occur in May 2011.

 

About First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc.

 

First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. is a savings and loan holding company and its banking subsidiary is the Bank, a community bank serving consumers and businesses with a full range of checking, savings, investment and loan products and services. First Federal Bank, founded in 1934, currently conducts business from 18 full-service branch locations, one stand-alone loan production office, and 29 ATMs located in Northcentral and Northwest Arkansas. For additional information on all the products and services First Federal Bank offers, visit www.ffbh.com or contact its Account Information Center at 870.365.8329 or 866.AIC.FFBH toll

 



 

free or by email at aic@ffbh.com. First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. stock trades on NASDAQ under the symbol “FFBH.”

 

Cautionary Statement

 

The transactions contemplated in the Investment Agreement include the issuance to Bear State of shares of common stock, which was approved by the stockholders as described above, and a warrant to purchase shares of common stock (collectively, the “ Securities ”) in a private transaction that has not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This press release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rules 135 and 135c under the Securities Act and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities or the shares of common stock to be sold in the rights offering as contemplated in the Investment Agreement nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of any of the Securities or shares to be issued in the rights offering in any jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.  A registration statement for the shares of the common stock to be issued in the rights offering contemplated by the Investment Agreement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has yet to be declared effective. These shares may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This press release may contain forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risk and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements Words such as “will likely result,” “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “hopes,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “will,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management.  The Company’s actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  The Company cautions you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements.  These statements are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.

 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.