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

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) May 20, 2019

 

Home Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Louisiana 001-34190 71-1051785
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of incorporation)   Identification No.)

 

503 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (337) 237-1960

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, 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 (see General Instruction A.2 below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ¨

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock   HBCP   Nasdaq Stock Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

(e)       On May 20, 2019, Home Bank (the “Bank”) entered into amended and restated employment agreements with John W. Bordelon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jason P. Freyou, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Darren E. Guidry, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, Scott A. Ridley, Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer, and Joseph B. Zanco, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In addition, Home Bancorp (the “Company”) entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Bordelon, President and Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreements between the Bank and Mr. Bordelon expire on May 20, 2022 and the agreements between the Bank and the other executive officers expire on May 20, 2021. The employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Bordelon expires on May 20, 2022. At least annually, the Board of Directors of the Company and Home Bank will consider whether to renew and extend the term of the agreements by one year. Any such renewals or extensions of the agreements will be reflected in an amendment or supplement to such agreement.

 

The employment agreements between the Bank and the executive officers are terminable with or without cause (as defined in the agreements) by the Bank. The employment agreements provide that in the event of a termination of employment by the Bank other than due to cause, disability, death or in connection with a change in control (as defined in the agreements) of the Company or the Bank or in the event of a termination by the executive officer for good reason (as defined in the agreements) in connection with a change in control of the Company or the Bank, each officer would be entitled to (1) an amount of cash severance which is equal to one times (three times in the case of Mr. Bordelon) the amount of his base salary as of the date of termination and (2) continued participation in certain employee benefit plans of the Bank, including medical and dental plans, until the earlier of 12 months (36 months in the case of Mr. Bordelon) or the date the executive receives substantially similar benefits from full-time employment with another employer. In the event of termination of employment within three months prior to or 12 months following a change in control of the Company or the Bank, including a voluntary termination by the officer for good reason (i.e., a “double trigger”), each officer would be entitled to (1) an amount of cash severance which is equal to two times (three times in the case of Mr. Bordelon) the sum of his base salary as of the date of termination plus his prior year’s bonus and (2) continued participation in certain employee benefit plans, including medical and dental plans, until the earlier of 24 months (36 months in the case of Mr. Bordelon) or the date the officer receives substantially similar benefits from another employer upon his full-time employment. In the event an officer’s employment is terminated by the Bank due to cause, death or disability or in the event of a termination by the executive officer without good reason, he will have no rights under the employment agreements to any compensation or benefits following the date of termination.

 

The employment agreements provide that each executive officer will not, directly or indirectly, solicit or encourage clients of the Bank to discontinue, reduce, or adversely alter the amount of its business with the Bank in parishes and counties where the Bank carries on business therein (the “Territory”). Each executive officer also agrees not to, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, recruit, or hire any employee or independent contractor of the Bank who performed work for the Bank within the last six months of the officer’s employment with the Bank or who was otherwise engaged or employed with the Bank at the time of said termination of employment of the officer or (ii) otherwise encourage, solicit, or support any such employees or independent contractors to leave their employment or engagement with the Bank, in either case until such employee or contractor has been terminated or separated from the Bank for at least 12 months. Unless the executive officer’s employment is terminated by the Bank for cause or the executive officer terminates his employment other than for good reason, the executive officer agrees that he shall not, directly or indirectly, compete with the Bank in the Territory, in a capacity identical or substantially similar to the capacity in which the executive officer served at the Bank. The executive officers will be subject to the restrictions on competition and solicitation during their employment and for a period of 12 months thereafter. The employment agreements also contain standard confidentiality covenants requiring each executive officer to maintain the confidentiality of the Company’s confidential information.

 

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The employment agreements provide that the executive officers will receive the full compensation and benefits provided for under the agreements and have the responsibility for any excise tax, or such payments are reduced or modified so that they will not be considered “excess severance payments” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), whichever will put the executives in the best after-tax position with the most compensation and income. The employment agreements are also intended to ensure that the payment of any compensation or benefits under the employment agreements would comply with Section 409A of the Code. None of the employment agreements provide for the payment of any taxes or a gross-up of payments to pay any taxes in the event any of the compensation or benefits were considered to be an excess severance payment under Section 280G of the Code. The employment agreements provide that a portion of the severance payment shall be allocated to the restrictive covenants.

 

The employment agreement between Mr. Bordelon and the Company is on terms substantially similar to his agreement with the Bank. Under the employment agreements, Mr. Bordelon’s compensation, benefits and expenses will be paid by the Company and the Bank in the same proportion as the time and services actually expended by Mr. Bordelon on behalf of each company.

 

Salary Continuation Agreements

 

On May 20, 2019, the Bank also entered into salary continuation agreements with Messrs. Freyou, Ridley and Zanco. The agreements provide each executive officer a retirement benefit equal to $75,000 per year if he remains employed until age 65, payable in equal monthly installments for a period of 10 years. Also, effective May 20, 2019, the Bank entered into a new salary continuation agreement with Mr. Bordelon, which will provide him an annual retirement benefit equal to $26,000 for a period of 10 years upon his retirement at age 65. The retirement benefits vest based on each executive officer’s years of vesting service, with 0% of benefits vesting for the first 5 years of vesting service. Vesting continues in 20% increments for each following year of vesting service or until the executive officer reaches age 65. Mr. Bordelon is currently fully vested in his normal retirement benefit. In the event of early retirement, the Bank will pay each executive officer his vested benefits in a lump sum on the first day of the month following each executive officer’s separation from service. If any executive experiences a disability prior to a separation from service, and other than within three months prior to or 12 months following a change in control of the Bank, the Bank will pay him his accrued benefits, as of the date he experiences a disability, in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the subsequent separation from service. If any executive has a separation from service within three months prior to or 12 months following a change in control of the Bank prior to reaching age 65, the Bank shall pay him an amount equal to the greater of (i) his accrued benefits as of the end of the year immediately preceding the separation from service or (ii) $200,000. This amount will be paid in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the separation from service.

 

Also effective May 20, 2019, the Bank amended and restated the Bank’s August 1, 2007 salary continuation agreement with Mr. Bordelon to eliminate the pre-retirement death benefit. The agreement provides that Mr. Bordelon will receive an annual retirement benefit for a period of 10 years, with the annual benefit equal to $180,000 upon his earliest retirement age of 62 and increasing each additional year he remains employed until the annual benefit reaches $214,000 if he retires after age 65. The retirement benefits vested over a period of 10 years, and Mr. Bordelon became fully vested in his normal retirement benefit of $180,000 per year in August 2017. In the event of early retirement, the Bank will pay Mr. Bordelon his accrued benefits, as of the date of the separation from service, in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the separation from service. If Mr. Bordelon experiences a disability prior to a separation from service, and other than on or within 24 months following a change in control, the Bank will pay Mr. Bordelon his accrued benefits, as of the date he experiences a disability, in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the subsequent separation from service. If Mr. Bordelon has a separation from service on or following a change in control but prior to reaching age 65, the Bank shall pay him the accrued benefits required as of age 65 in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the separation from service.

 

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The Bank also amended and restated its August 1, 2007 salary continuation agreement with Mr. Guidry effective May 20, 2019 to eliminate the pre-retirement death benefit. Mr. Guidry’s agreement provides for a retirement benefit of $75,000 per year if he remains employed until age 65, payable in equal monthly installments for a period of ten years. His retirement benefits vest over a period of 12 years, commencing August 1, 2008. In the event of early retirement, the Bank will pay Mr. Guidry his vested benefits in 120 equal monthly installments upon his attaining age 65. If Mr. Guidry has a separation from service within 24 months following a change in control but prior to reaching age 65, the Bank shall pay him the vested portion of his annual benefit in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the separation from service. In each case, benefits are subject to a six-month delay to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Code.

 

The foregoing descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of each of the agreements, copies of which are attached hereto as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) Exhibits

 

The following exhibit is filed herewith.

 

Exhibit Number   Description
10.1   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Home Bancorp, Inc. and John W. Bordelon
10.2   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Home Bank, N.A. and John W. Bordelon
10.3   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Home Bank, N.A. and Jason P. Freyou
10.4   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Home Bank, N.A. and Darren E. Guidry
10.5   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Home Bank, N.A. and Scott A. Ridley
10.6   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Home Bank, N.A. and Joseph B. Zanco
10.7   Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreement by and between Home Bank, N.A. and John W. Bordelon
10.8   Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreement by and between Home Bank, N.A. and Darren E. Guidry
10.9   Salary Continuation Agreement by and between Home Bank, N. A. and John W. Bordelon
10.10   Salary Continuation Agreement by and between Home Bank, N. A. and Jason P. Freyou
10.11   Salary Continuation Agreement by and between Home Bank, N. A. and Scott A. Ridley
10.12   Salary Continuation Agreement by and between Home Bank, N. A. and Joseph B. Zanco

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  HOME BANCORP, INC.
     
Date:  May 23, 2019 By: /s/ John W. Bordelon
    John W. Bordelon
    President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number   Description
10.1   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Home Bancorp, Inc. and John W. Bordelon
10.2   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Home Bank, N.A. and John W. Bordelon
10.3   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Home Bank, N.A. and Jason P. Freyou
10.4   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Home Bank, N.A. and Darren E. Guidry
10.5   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Home Bank, N.A. and Scott A. Ridley
10.6   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Home Bank, N.A. and Joseph B. Zanco
10.7   Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreement by and between Home Bank, N.A. and John W. Bordelon
10.8   Amended and Restated Salary Continuation Agreement by and between Home Bank, N.A. and Darren E. Guidry
10.9   Salary Continuation Agreement by and between Home Bank, N. A. and John W. Bordelon
10.10   Salary Continuation Agreement by and between Home Bank, N. A. and Jason P. Freyou
10.11   Salary Continuation Agreement by and between Home Bank, N. A. and Scott A. Ridley
10.12   Salary Continuation Agreement by and between Home Bank, N. A. and Joseph B. Zanco

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

HOME BANCORP, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of the 20 th day of May, 2019, between Home Bancorp, Inc. (the “ Corporation ” or the “ Employer ”), a Louisiana corporation which is the parent holding company of Home Bank, N.A. (the “ Bank ”), and John W. Bordelon (the “ Executive ”).

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is currently employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, and the Executive and the Corporation have previously entered into an amended and restated employment agreement dated March 28, 2011, as amended (the “ Prior Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is currently employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, a federally chartered savings bank;

 

WHEREAS , the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “ Corporation Board ”) has reviewed the Executive’s performance and has determined that it is in the Corporation’s best interests to extend the term of the Corporation’s employment agreement with the Executive;

 

WHEREAS , the Corporation desires to assure itself of the continued availability of the Executive’s services as provided in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS , the Corporation desires to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in order to make certain changes;

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is willing to serve the Corporation on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is concurrently entering into a separate amended and restated employment agreement with the Bank (the “ Bank Agreement ”).

 

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the Corporation and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

 

1.       Definitions. The following words and terms shall have the meanings set forth below for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)        Annual Compensation. The Executive’s “Annual Compensation” for purposes of determining severance payable under this Agreement shall be deemed to mean the sum of (i) the annual rate of Base Salary as of the Date of Termination, and (ii) any Incentive Compensation or other cash bonus, if any, earned by the Executive for the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the Date of Termination occurs.

 

(b)        Base Salary. “Base Salary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

 

 

 

 

(c)        Cause. Termination of the Executive’s employment for “Cause” shall mean termination because of, as determined by Corporation Board acting in good faith:

 

(i)       any act by Executive of fraud against, material misappropriation from, or material dishonesty to the Corporation;

 

(ii)       conduct by Executive that amounts to willful misconduct, gross and willful insubordination, or gross neglect in the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder;

 

(iii)      Executive’s conviction of, indictment for (or its procedural equivalent), or entering of a guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to, a crime involving breach of trust or moral turpitude or any felony;

 

(iv)      receipt of any form of notice, written or otherwise, that any regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the Corporation intends to institute any form of formal or informal regulatory action against Executive;

 

(v)      Executive’s removal and/or permanent prohibition from participating in the conduct of the Corporation’s affairs by an order issued under 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(e) or (g);

 

(vi)      the exhibition of a standard of behavior within the scope of or related to his employment that is materially disruptive to the orderly conduct of the Corporation’s business operations (including, without limitation, substance abuse or sexual harassment or sexual misconduct that violates federal or state law); or

 

(vii)     a material breach of the terms of this Agreement by Executive not cured by Executive within thirty (30) days of the date the Executive received the Notice of Termination, and, in the event Executive does not cure any such condition, the Corporation terminates his employment within thirty (30) days after the period for curing the condition has expired. If the Executive remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Cause shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition; provided, that the Executive shall not have the opportunity to cure if the breach is not susceptible to being cured or such an opportunity would otherwise conflict with applicable federal or state regulatory requirements;

 

provided, that the nature of any act, conduct, behavior, breach or other circumstances constituting Cause shall be set forth with reasonable particularity in a written notice to the Executive that states the facts upon which the Corporation Board made such determination.

 

(d)        Change in Control. “Change in Control” shall mean a “change in the ownership of the corporation,” a “change in the effective control of the corporation,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5). For purposes of the preceding sentence, “the corporation” refers to the Corporation or the Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not be deemed to result in a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust), including but not limited to, an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code, sponsored or maintained by the Employer or any corporation controlled by the Employer; or (ii) any merger, consolidation, reorganization, share exchange or other transaction as to which the holders of the capital stock of the Employer before the transaction continue after the transaction to hold, directly or indirectly through a holding company or otherwise, shares of capital stock of the Employer (or other surviving company) representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the value or ordinary voting power to elect directors of the capital stock of the Employer (or other surviving company).

 

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(e)        Code. “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(f)        Competitive Business. “Competitive Business” shall mean an enterprise that is in the business of offering banking products and/or services, which services and/or products are similar or substantially identical to those offered by the Bank during Executive’s employment with the Bank.

 

(g)        Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, the date on which the Notice of Termination is given, and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in such Notice of Termination.

 

(h)        Effective Date. The Effective Date of this Agreement shall mean the date first written above.

 

(i)        Disability. “Disability” shall mean the Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer.

 

(j)        Good Reason. “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following conditions:

 

(i)       any material breach of this Agreement by the Corporation, including without limitation any of the following: (A) a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary, (B) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities as prescribed in Section 2, or (C) any requirement that the Executive report to a corporate officer or employee of the Corporation instead of reporting directly to the Corporation Board, or

 

(ii)       any involuntary material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform his services under this Agreement for a period of more than 90 days;

 

provided, however, that prior to any termination of employment for Good Reason, the Executive must first provide written notice to the Corporation within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the condition, describing the existence of such condition, and the Corporation shall thereafter have the right to remedy the condition within thirty (30) days of the date the Corporation received the written notice from the Executive. If the Corporation remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Good Reason shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition. If the Corporation does not remedy the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then the Executive may deliver a Notice of Termination for Good Reason at any time within sixty (60) days following the expiration of such cure period.

 

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(k)        Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of the Executive’s employment by the Corporation for any reason, including without limitation for Cause or Disability, or by the Executive for any reason, including without limitation for Good Reason, shall be communicated by a written “Notice of Termination” to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a dated notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, (iii) specifies a Date of Termination, which shall be effective immediately if the Corporation terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, and (iv) is given in the manner specified in Section 13 hereof.

 

(l)        Territory. “Territory” shall mean, to the extent the Bank carries on business therein, (i) Acadia, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans, St. Martin and St. Tammany Parishes, Louisiana, (ii) Adams and Warren Counties, Mississippi, and (iii) in the event that the Bank expands the geographic reach of its business to other parishes or counties, the definition of Territory shall expand to include such additional parishes or counties. In any such case, the Executive agrees to execute and deliver an amendment hereto adding the additional parishes or counties, upon payment to the Executive by the Corporation of the sum of one hundred dollars ($100).

 

2.       Term of Employment and Duties.

 

(a)       The Corporation hereby employs the Executive as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, and the Executive hereby accepts said employment and agrees to render such services to the Corporation on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be and remain in effect during the period beginning on the Effective Date of this Agreement and ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Date plus such extensions, if any, as are provided pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof (the “ Employment Period ”).

 

(b)       At least thirty (30) days prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date and each anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter (the “ Renewal Date ”), the Corporation Board shall consider and review (after taking into account all relevant factors, including the Executive’s performance hereunder) whether it is in the best interests of the Corporation to extend the term of this Agreement. If the Corporation Board determines that an extension of the term of this Agreement is in the best interests of the Corporation, then the Corporation Board may approve a one-year extension of the term of this Agreement effective as of the Renewal Date, in which case the term of this Agreement shall be extended for one additional year, unless the Executive gives written notice to the Employer of the Executive’s election not to extend the term, with such written notice to be given not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such Renewal Date. The Corporation Board agrees to inform the Executive not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such Renewal Date as to whether or not the Corporation Board elected to extend the term of this Agreement. If the Agreement is not extended as of any Renewal Date, then this Agreement shall terminate at the conclusion of its remaining term. References herein to the term of this Agreement shall refer both to the initial term and successive terms.

 

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(c)       Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Corporation at any time from terminating the Executive’s employment as President and Chief Executive Officer during the Employment Period for any reason, provided that the relative rights and obligations of the Corporation and the Executive in the event of any such termination shall be determined under this Agreement.

 

(d)       During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall manage the operations of the Corporation and oversee the officers that report to him. The Executive shall also oversee the implementation of the policies adopted by the Corporation Board and shall report directly to the Corporation Board. In addition, the Executive shall perform such executive services for the Corporation as may be consistent with his titles and from time to time assigned to him by the Corporation Board.

 

3.       Compensation and Benefits.

 

(a)       The Employer shall compensate and pay the Executive for his services during the term of this Agreement at a minimum base salary per year that is no less than the amount paid to Executive as of the Effective Date of this Agreement (“ Base Salary ”), which amount may be increased from time to time in such amounts as may be determined by the Corporation Board and may not be decreased without the Executive’s express written consent. The Executive and the Corporation acknowledge that a portion of the Base Salary may be paid by the Bank pursuant to the terms of the Bank Agreement for services rendered to the Bank by the Executive pursuant to his service as President and Chief Executive Officer thereof, and the Executive and the Corporation further acknowledge and agree that the combined Base Salary paid to the Executive each year by the Bank and the Corporation shall be the amount set forth above, as increased from time to time by the Corporation Board.

 

(b)       Subject to applicable law, including any required regulatory approval, for each calendar year during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in an annual incentive bonus plan that by its terms provides financial awards that are no less in bonus value or greater in performance levels than plan terms offered to other senior executives of the Corporation, with award opportunities approved from year to year by the Corporation Board (“ Incentive Compensation ”). Threshold, target and maximum corporate performance levels shall be established by the Board of Directors of the Bank or the Corporation Board, as applicable, from year to year based on budget, earnings growth, profitability, asset quality, qualitative risk measures and such other performance metrics as either such board reasonably may determine and shall be outlined in the specific award opportunity. The performance measures for any given year shall be set no later than December 31 st of the year preceding the performance year of Incentive Compensation eligibility. Entitlement to and payment of such Incentive Compensation is subject to the discretion and approval of the Corporation Board or the Board of Directors of the Bank, as applicable. Any Incentive Compensation earned shall be payable no later than March 15 th of the year following the year in which the bonus is earned, in accordance with the Employer’s normal practices for the payment of short-term incentives. To be entitled to any payment of Incentive Compensation, Executive must be employed by the Employer on the last day of the applicable performance period. The payment of any Incentive Compensation shall be subject to any approvals or non-objections required by any regulator of the Employer, and the obligation to pay any such Incentive Compensation shall be rendered null and void to the extent the same is then prohibited by any applicable law or regulatory restriction.

 

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(c)       Executive will be eligible to participate in any stock option plan, restricted stock or long-term equity incentive plans offered by the Corporation, similar to that offered to other senior executives on terms consistent with Executive’s position with the Corporation.

 

(d)       Executive and Executive’s family shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under any health and welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Corporation, to the extent applicable to similarly situated executives of the Corporation and subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility requirements (including any required premium payments or other costs) therefore as may be prescribed by the Corporation or set forth in the terms of such plans, practices, policies and programs from time to time.

 

(e)       During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in and receive the benefits of any pension or other retirement benefit plan, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, or other plans, benefits and privileges given to employees and executives of the Employer, to the extent commensurate with his then duties and responsibilities, as fixed by the Corporation Board. The Corporation shall not make any changes in any compensation or other plans, benefits or privileges which would adversely affect the Executive’s rights or benefits thereunder, unless such change occurs pursuant to a program applicable to all executive officers of the Corporation and does not result in a proportionately greater adverse change in the rights of or benefits to the Executive as compared with any other executive officer of the Corporation. Nothing paid to the Executive under any plan or arrangement presently in effect or made available in the future shall be deemed to be in lieu of the salary payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof.

 

(f)       Except as otherwise agreed between the Bank and the Corporation, the Executive’s compensation, benefits and severance set forth in this Agreement shall be paid by the Bank and the Corporation in the same proportion as the time and services actually expended by the Executive on the business of the Bank and the business of the Corporation, respectively, with any amounts paid by the Bank to be credited towards the obligations of the Corporation under this Agreement. For this purpose, the Executive shall maintain, and provide to the Corporation on at least a monthly basis, documentation of the time and expenses expended by the Executive on the business of each of the Bank and the Corporation. No provision contained in this Agreement shall require the Corporation to pay any portion of the Executive’s compensation, benefits, severance and expenses required to be paid by the Bank pursuant to this Agreement or the agreement of even date being entered into between the Bank and the Executive.

 

(g)       The Executive agrees to repay any compensation previously paid or otherwise made available to the Executive under this Agreement that is subject to recovery under any clawback or compensation recovery policy as may be adopted from time to time by the Employer or under any applicable law (including any rule of any exchange or service through which the securities of the Corporation are then traded), including, but not limited to, the following circumstances:

 

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(i)       where such compensation was in excess of what should have been paid or made available because the determination of the amount due was based, in whole or in part, on materially inaccurate financial information of the Corporation;

 

(ii)       where such compensation constitutes “excessive compensation” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. Part 30, Appendix A;

 

(iii)       where Executive has committed, is substantially responsible for, or has violated, the respective acts, omissions, conditions, or offenses outlined under 12 C.F.R. Section 359.4(a)(4); and

 

(iv)       if the Bank becomes, and for so long as the Bank remains, subject to the provisions of 12 U.S.C. Section 1831o(f), where such compensation exceeds the restrictions imposed on the senior executive officers of such an institution.

 

Executive agrees to return within sixty (60) days, or within any earlier timeframe required by applicable law or any recoupment policy, any such compensation properly identified by the Corporation by written notice. If Executive fails to return such compensation within the applicable time period, Executive agrees that the amount of such compensation may be deducted from any and all other compensation owed to Executive by the Corporation. The provisions of this subsection shall be modified to the extent, and remain in effect for the period, required by applicable law.

 

4.       Expenses. The Employer shall reimburse the Executive or otherwise provide for or pay for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in furtherance of or in connection with the business of the Employer, including, but not by way of limitation, automobile expenses, traveling expenses, and all reasonable entertainment expenses (whether incurred at the Executive’s residence, while traveling or otherwise), subject to such reasonable documentation and policies as may be established by the Corporation Board. If such expenses are paid in the first instance by the Executive, the Employer shall reimburse the Executive therefor. Such reimbursement shall be paid promptly by the Employer and in any event no later than March 15 th of the year immediately following the year in which such expenses were incurred.

 

5.       Termination.

 

(a)       The Corporation shall have the right, at any time upon prior Notice of Termination, to terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, including without limitation termination for Cause or Disability, and the Executive shall have the right, upon prior Notice of Termination, to terminate his employment hereunder for any reason.

 

(b)       In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason, the Employer shall have no further obligations to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, except as provided in Section 5(e) or (f), other than for (i) payment of his Base Salary and any Incentive Compensation accrued but unpaid as of the Date of Termination, (ii) reimbursement of expenses incurred, but unpaid, as of the Date of Termination, and (iii) amounts otherwise due and payable pursuant to the terms then in effect under any compensatory plan or practice in which the Executive is then a participant (the Accrued Obligations ”). The Accrued Obligations shall be payable in accordance with the Employer’s regular payroll practices or the terms of such compensatory plan or practice, as applicable.

 

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(c)       In the event that (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Corporation for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Disability, death or Good Reason, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination, other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(d)       In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of Disability or the Executive’s death during the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination, other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(e)       In the event that, outside of a Change in Control Window, (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for other than Cause, Disability or the Executive’s death or (ii) such employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Employer shall:

 

(A)       pay to the Executive, in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination, a cash severance amount equal to three (3) times that portion of his Base Salary paid by the Corporation, and

 

(B)       maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) thirty-six (36) months after the Date of Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive’s full-time employment by another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this subparagraph (B)), at no cost to the Executive, the continued participation of the Executive and his dependents in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident insurance, and disability insurance offered by the Employer in which the Executive and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination, subject to compliance with Section 5(g) below.

 

(f)       In the event that within three (3) months prior to, concurrently with or twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (a “ Change in Control Window ”), (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for other than Cause, Disability or the Executive’s death or (ii) such employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Employer shall, subject to the provisions of Section 6 hereof, if applicable,

 

(A)       pay to the Executive, in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination (or if applicable, the later date of a Change in Control), a cash severance amount equal to three (3) times that portion of his Annual Compensation paid by the Corporation, and

 

(B)       maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) thirty-six (36) months after the Date of Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive’s full-time employment by another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this subparagraph (B)), at no cost to the Executive, the continued participation of the Executive and his dependents in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident insurance, and disability insurance offered by the Employer in which the Executive and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination, subject to compliance with Section 5(g) below.

 

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(g)       Any insurance premiums payable by the Employer or any successors pursuant to this Section 5 shall be payable at such times and in such amounts (except that the Employer shall also pay any employee portion of the premiums) as if the Executive was still an employee of the Employer, subject to any increases in such amounts imposed by the insurance company or COBRA, and the amount of insurance premiums required to be paid by the Employer in any taxable year shall not affect the amount of insurance premiums required to be paid by the Employer in any other taxable year; provided, however, that if the Executive’s participation in any group insurance plan is barred, the Employer shall either arrange to provide the Executive with insurance benefits substantially similar to those which the Executive was entitled to receive under such group insurance plan or, if such coverage cannot be obtained, pay a lump sum cash equivalency amount within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination based on the annualized rate of premiums being paid by the Employer as of the Date of Termination.

 

6.       Limitation of Benefits under Certain Circumstances.

 

(a)       If the payments and benefits pursuant to Section 5 hereof, either alone or together with other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right to receive from the Corporation or the Bank (“ Covered Payments ”), would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code (“ Parachute Payments ”), then the Covered Payments payable by the Corporation shall be reduced by the minimum amount necessary so that no portion of the Covered Payments payable by the Corporation will constitute a Parachute Payment; provided, however, that the foregoing reduction will be made only if and to the extent that such reduction would result in an increase in the aggregate Covered Payments to be provided, determined on an after-tax basis (taking into account the excise tax imposed pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code (the “ Excise Tax ”), any tax imposed by any comparable provision of state law, and any applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes). Whether requested by the Executive or the Employer, the determination of whether any reduction in such Covered Payments is required pursuant to the preceding sentence will be made at the expense of the Employer by independent accountants selected by the Corporation (the “ Accountants ”). In the event the Covered Payments are required to be reduced pursuant to this Section 6, the Covered Payments will be reduced by category in the following order: (i) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are subject to Section 409A of the Code; (ii) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code; (iii) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Covered Payments that are subject to Section 409A of the Code other than accelerated vesting of equity awards; (iv) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Covered Payments that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code other than accelerated vesting of equity awards; (v) cancellation of accelerated vesting of performance-based equity awards; and (vi) cancellation of accelerated vesting of service-based equity awards. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity award compensation is to be cancelled, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the order that most benefits the Executive. Within each other category, cash severance benefits and other Covered Payments will be reduced pro rata based on the portion of cash severance benefits or other Covered Payments with respect to the Covered Payments, in each case beginning with the cash severance benefits or other Covered Payments that would otherwise be made latest in time; provided that in no event shall the cash portion of the Covered Payments be less than the amount of federal and state income tax withholding owed by the Executive with respect to the Covered Payments. Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall result in a reduction of any payments or benefits to which the Executive may be entitled upon termination of employment under any circumstances other than as specified in this Section 6, or a reduction in the payments and benefits specified in Section 5 below zero.

 

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(b)       Section 7 of this Agreement contains protective covenants of Executive to refrain from certain activities deemed harmful to the Employer for a set period of time in exchange for promises contained herein. If the Executive is deemed eligible to receive Covered Payments under this Agreement that could be subject to the Excise Tax, the Employer shall seek a valuation from the Accountants to determine the value of any such protective covenants and such amount shall be allocated to such arrangements and be excluded from treatment as a Parachute Payment. For the avoidance of doubt, it is the intention of this Agreement that the value assigned to any such protective covenants by the Accountants not be considered a Parachute Payment for purposes of this Section 6.

 

(c)       Any determination required under this Section 6 shall be made in writing in good faith by the Accountants. The Employer and the Executive shall provide the Accountants with such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 6. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 6, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Accountants’ determinations shall be final and binding on the Employer and the Executive.

 

(d)       In the event that the provisions of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code or any successor provisions are repealed without succession, this Section 6 shall be of no further force or effect.

 

7.       Protective Covenants. The Executive shall abide by and be bound by the following protective covenants:

 

(a)       The Corporation and Executive acknowledge that the Corporation shall disclose during the Employment Period, or has already disclosed, to Executive for use in Executive’s employment, and that during the Employment Period Executive will be provided access to and otherwise make use of, acquire, create, or add to certain valuable, unique, proprietary, and secret information of the Corporation (whether tangible or intangible and whether or not electronically kept or stored), including financial statements, drawings, designs, manuals, business plans, processes, procedures, formulas, inventions, pricing policies, customer and prospect lists and contacts, contracts, sources and identity of vendors and contractors, financial information of customers of the Corporation, and other proprietary documents, materials, or information indigenous to the Corporation, relating to its businesses and activities, or the manner in which the Corporation does business, which is valuable to the Corporation in conducting its business because the information is kept confidential and is not generally known to the Corporation’s competitors or to the general public (the “ Confidential Information ”). Confidential Information does not include information generally known or easily obtained from public sources or public records, unless Executive causes the Confidential Information to become generally known or easily obtained from public sources or public records. To the extent that the Confidential Information rises to the level of a trade secret under applicable law, then Executive shall, during Executive’s employment and for so long as the Confidential Information remains a trade secret under applicable law (or for the maximum period of time otherwise allowed by applicable law) (i) protect and maintain the confidentiality of such trade secrets and (ii) refrain from disclosing, copying, or using any such trade secrets, without the Corporation’s prior written consent, except as necessary in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties while employed with the Corporation. To the extent that the Confidential Information does not rise to the level of a trade secret under applicable law, Executive shall, during Executive’s employment and for a period of two years following any voluntary or involuntary termination of employment, (i) protect and maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information and (ii) refrain from disclosing, copying, or using any Confidential Information without the Corporation’s prior written consent, except as necessary in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties while employed with the Corporation.

 

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(b)       Upon any voluntary or involuntary termination of Executive’s employment (or at any time upon request by the Corporation), Executive agrees to immediately return to the Corporation all property of the Corporation (including, without limitation, all documents, electronic files, records, computer drives or disks or other tangible or intangible things that may or may not relate to or otherwise comprise Confidential Information or trade secrets, as defined by applicable law) that Executive created, used, possessed or maintained while working for the Corporation from whatever source and whenever created, including all reproductions or excerpts thereof.

 

(c)       During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive agrees not to, directly or indirectly, in the Territory, contact, solicit, divert, appropriate, or call upon, the customers, clients or tangible prospects (prospects recorded on a report by the Executive or the Bank either electronically or not) of the Bank, (i) to solicit such customers or clients or prospective customers or clients for a Competitive Business (including, without limitation, any Competitive Business started by Executive) or (ii) to otherwise encourage any such customer or client or prospective customer or client to discontinue, reduce, or adversely alter the amount of its business with the Bank, Executive acknowledges that, due to Executive’s relationship with the Bank, Executive will develop, or has developed, direct or indirect reports to Executive will develop, or have developed, special contacts and relationships with the Bank’s customers, clients and prospects, and that it would be unfair and harmful to the Bank if Executive took advantage of these relationships.

 

(d)       During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly : (i) solicit, recruit, or hire (or attempt to solicit, recruit, or hire) or otherwise assist anyone in soliciting, recruiting, or hiring, any employee or independent contractor (which shall not include non-exclusive outside vendors) of the Corporation who performed work for the Corporation within the last six (6) months of Executive’s employment with the Corporation or who was otherwise engaged or employed with the Corporation at the time of said termination of employment of Executive or (ii) otherwise encourage, solicit, or support any such employees or independent contractors to leave their employment or engagement with the Corporation, in either case until such employee or contractor has been terminated or separated from the Corporation for at least twelve (12) months.

 

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(e)       During the Employment Period and, unless (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Corporation for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Good Reason, for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, compete with the Bank, as an officer, director, member, principal, partner, shareholder (other than a shareholder in a company that is publicly traded and so long as such ownership is less than five percent (5%), owner, manager, supervisor, administrator, employee, consultant, or independent contractor, by working in the Territory for or as a Competitive Business in the Territory, in a capacity identical or substantially similar to the capacity in which Executive served at the Bank.

 

(f)       During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Corporation agrees that it will not issue any statement (written or oral) that could reasonably be perceived as disparaging to the Executive. During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Executive agrees that he will not make any statement (written or oral) that could reasonably be perceived as disparaging to the Corporation or any person or entity that he reasonably should know is an affiliate of the Corporation.

 

(g)       It is understood and agreed by Executive that the Corporation and Executive have attempted to limit his right to compete only to the extent necessary to protect the Corporation from unfair competition. It is acknowledged that the purpose of these covenants and promises is (and that they are necessary) to protect the Corporation’s legitimate business interests, to protect the Corporation’s investment in the overall development of its business and the good will of its customers, and to protect and retain (and to prevent Executive from unfairly and to the detriment of the Corporation utilizing or taking advantage of) such business trade secrets and Confidential Information of the Corporation and those substantial contacts and relationships (including those with customers and employees of the Corporation) which Executive established due to his employment with the Corporation. Therefore, in addition to any other remedies, Executive agrees that any violation of the covenants in this Section 7 result in the immediate forfeiture of any remaining payment that otherwise is or may become due under this Agreement, if applicable. Executive further agrees that should he breach any of the covenants contained in this Section 7, no further amounts will be paid to Executive pursuant hereto and Executive shall repay to the Corporation any amounts previously received by Executive hereunder that are attributable to that portion of the payments paid for the period during which Executive was in breach of any of the covenants. The Corporation and Executive agree that all remedies available to the Corporation or Executive, as applicable, shall be cumulative. Executive acknowledges that these covenants and promises (and their respective time, geographic, and/or activity limitations) are reasonable and that said limitations are no greater than necessary to protect said legitimate business interests in light of Executive’s position with the Corporation and the Corporation’s business, and Executive agrees to strictly abide by the terms hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is ruled invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction because of a conflict between the provision and any applicable law or public policy, the provision shall be redrawn to make the provision consistent with, and valid and enforceable under, the law or public policy.

 

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(h)       Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) nothing in this Agreement, including but not limited to the Release, or other agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress and any agency Inspector General (the “ Government Agencies ”), or communicating with Government Agencies or otherwise participating in any investigation or proceedings that may be conducted by Government Agencies, including providing documents or other information; (ii) Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Corporation to take any action described in subsection (i), and Executive is not required to notify the Corporation that he has taken any action described in subsection (i); and (iii) neither this Agreement nor any release signed by Executive limits Executive’s right to receive an award for providing information relating to a possible securities law violation to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further, notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal, state or local trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (1) is made (y) in confidence to a federal, state or local official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (z) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation or law; or (2) is made in a compliant or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Additionally, if Executive is suing the Corporation for retaliation based on the reporting of a suspected violation, of law, he may disclose a trade secret to his attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, so long as any document containing the trade secret is filed under seal and Executive does not disclose the trade secret except pursuant to court order.

 

(i)       The Corporation or Executive shall have the right to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive relief with respect to the enforcement of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 7. This remedy shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights or remedies to which the Corporation or Executive are or may be entitled at law or in equity respecting this Agreement.

 

8.        Mitigation; Exclusivity of Benefits.

 

(a)       The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any benefits hereunder by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any such benefits be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer after the Date of Termination or otherwise, except as set forth in Sections 5(e)(B) and 5(f)(B) above.

 

(b)       The specific arrangements referred to herein are not intended to exclude any other vested benefits which may be available to the Executive upon a termination of employment with the Corporation pursuant to employee benefit plans of the Corporation or the Bank or otherwise.

 

9.       Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Corporation hereunder to the Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax and other payroll deductions as the Corporation shall determine are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

10.       Section 409A .

 

(a)       This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner so that any amount or benefit payable hereunder shall be paid or provided in a manner that is either exempt from or compliant with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder. Nevertheless, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed. Neither the Corporation nor its directors, officers, employees, or advisers shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties, or other monetary amounts owed by the Executive as a result of the application of Section 409A of the Code.

 

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(b)       Notwithstanding any provision in the Agreement to the contrary, to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of tax on the Executive under Section 409A of the Code, any payments that are otherwise payable to the Executive within the first six (6) months following the Date of Termination, shall be suspended and paid as soon as practicable following the end of the six-month period following the Date of Termination if, immediately prior to the Executive’s termination, the Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) of the Corporation (or any related “service recipient” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder). Any payments suspended by operation of the foregoing sentence shall be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the end of such six-month period. Payments (or portions thereof) that would be paid latest in time during the six-month period will be suspended first.

 

(c)       The Corporation shall have the sole authority to make any accelerated distribution permissible under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) to the Executive of deferred amounts, provided that such distribution meets the requirements of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4).

 

11.       Legal Fees . If, after a Change in Control, it appears to Executive that (a) the Employer has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (b) the Employer or any other person (other than Executive) has taken any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or instituted any litigation or other legal action designed to deny, diminish, or to recover from Executive the benefits intended to be provided to Executive hereunder (including any payment pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement), the Employer irrevocably authorizes Executive from time to time to retain counsel of his choice, at the Employer’s expense, to represent Executive in connection with the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Employer or any of its affiliated companies or any director, officer, shareholder, or other person affiliated with the Employer. Executive shall give the Employer notice within ten (10) days after retaining any such counsel. The fees and expenses of counsel selected from time to time by Executive as provided in this Section 11 shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive by the Employer, whether suit or an arbitration proceeding has been brought or not. The Employer’s obligation to pay Executive’s legal fees provided by this Section 11 operates separately from and in addition to any legal fee reimbursement obligation the Employer has with Executive under any separate severance or other agreement.

 

12.       Assignability. The Corporation may assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any corporation, bank or other entity with or into which the Corporation may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which the Corporation may transfer all or substantially all of its assets, if in any such case said corporation, bank or other entity shall by operation of law or expressly in writing assume all obligations of the Corporation hereunder as fully as if it had been originally made a party hereto, but may not otherwise assign this Agreement or its rights and obligations hereunder. The Executive may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder.

 

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13.       Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth below:

 

To the Corporation: Secretary
Home Bancorp, Inc.
503 Kaliste Saloom
Lafayette, Louisiana 70508

 

To the Executive: John W. Bordelon
At the address last appearing on
the personnel records of the Employer

 

14.       Amendment; Waiver. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and such officer or officers as may be specifically designated by the Corporation Board to sign on its behalf. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any breach by any other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.

 

15.       Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States where applicable and otherwise by the substantive laws of the State of Louisiana.

 

16.       Nature of Obligations. Nothing contained herein shall create or require the Corporation to create a trust of any kind to fund any benefits which may be payable hereunder, and to the extent that the Executive acquires a right to receive benefits from the Corporation hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Corporation.

 

17.       Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

18.       Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

19.       Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

20.       Regulatory Actions and Prohibitions. The following provisions shall be controlling in the event of a conflict with any other provision of this Agreement, including without limitation Section 5 hereof.

 

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(a)       Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with Section 18(k) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1828(k)) and 12 C.F.R. Part 359 (collectively, the “ Golden Parachute Restrictions ”). In the event any such payments become due and payable under this Agreement at a time when such payments would constitute “golden parachute payments,” other than “golden parachute payments” for which the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency has been received as contemplated by the Golden Parachute Restrictions, the obligation on the part of the Employer to make any such payments shall become null and void.

 

(b)       If the Executive is suspended from office and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Corporation’s affairs pursuant to notice served under Section 8(e) or Section 8(g) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“ FDIA ”)(12 U.S.C. §§1818(e) and 1818(g)), the Corporation shall have the right to suspend all obligations of the Corporation under this Agreement as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Corporation shall reinstate prospectively (in whole or in part) any of its obligations which were suspended.

 

(c)       If the Executive is removed from office and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Corporation’s affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e) or Section 8(g) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §§1818(e) and (g)), the Corporation shall have the right to terminate all obligations of the Corporation under this Agreement as of the effective date of such order, except for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(d)       If the Bank is in default, as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1813(x)(1)), all obligations under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default, but vested rights of the Executive and the Bank as of the date of termination shall not be affected.

 

(e)       All obligations under this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to 12 C.F.R. §563.39(b)(5), except to the extent that it is determined that continuation of the Agreement for the continued operation of the Bank is necessary: (i) by the Comptroller of the Currency, or his/her designee, at the time the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“ FDIC ”) enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority contained in Section 13(c) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1823(c)); or (ii) by the Comptroller of the Currency, or his/her designee, at the time the Comptroller of the Currency or his/her designee approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to operation of the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the Comptroller of the Currency to be in an unsafe or unsound condition, but vested rights of the Executive and the Employer as of the date of termination shall not be affected.

 

(f)       Any payments suspended by operation of this Section 20 shall be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days following receipt of the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency of the Corporation or as otherwise directed by such federal banking agency.

 

(g)       All obligations under this Agreement are further subject to such conditions, restrictions, limitations and forfeiture provisions as may separately apply pursuant to any applicable state banking laws.

 

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21.       Changes in Statutes or Regulations. If any statutory or regulatory provision referenced herein is subsequently changed or re-numbered, or is replaced by a separate provision, then the references in this Agreement to such statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a reference to such section as amended, re-numbered or replaced.

 

22.       Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the Corporation and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein. All prior agreements between the Corporation and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein, including but not limited to the Prior Agreement, are hereby superseded and shall have no force or effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Agreement shall affect the agreement of even date being entered into between the Bank and the Executive.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

Attest:   HOME BANCORP, INC.
     
/s/ Daniel G. Guidry   By: /s/ Michael P. Maraist
Daniel G. Guidry     Michael P. Maraist
Corporate Secretary     Chairman of the Board
     
    EXECUTIVE
     
    By: /s/ John W. Bordelon
      John W. Bordelon

 

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Exhibit 10.2

 

HOME BANK, N.A.
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of the 20th day of May, 2019, between Home Bank, N.A. (the “ Bank ” or the “ Employer ”), a nationally chartered bank which is the wholly owned subsidiary of Home Bancorp, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”), and John W. Bordelon (the “ Executive ”).

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is currently employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, and the Executive and the Bank have previously entered into an amended and restated employment agreement dated March 28, 2011, as amended (the “ Prior Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is currently employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, a Louisiana corporation;

 

WHEREAS , the Board of Directors of the Bank (the “ Bank Board ”) has reviewed the Executive’s performance and has determined that it is in the Bank’s best interests to extend the term of the Bank’s employment agreement with the Executive;

 

WHEREAS , the Bank desires to assure itself of the continued availability of the Executive’s services as provided in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS , the Bank desires to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in order to make certain changes;

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is willing to serve the Bank on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is concurrently entering into a separate amended and restated employment agreement with the Corporation (the “ Corporation Agreement ”).

 

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the Bank and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

 

1.            Definitions. The following words and terms shall have the meanings set forth below for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)           Annual Compensation. The Executive’s “Annual Compensation” for purposes of determining severance payable under this Agreement shall be deemed to mean the sum of (i) the annual rate of Base Salary as of the Date of Termination, and (ii) any Incentive Compensation or other cash bonus, if any, earned by the Executive for the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the Date of Termination occurs.

 

(b)           Base Salary. “Base Salary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

 

 

 

 

(c)            Cause. Termination of the Executive’s employment for “Cause” shall mean termination because of, as determined by Bank Board acting in good faith:

 

(i)          any act by Executive of fraud against, material misappropriation from, or material dishonesty to the Bank;

 

(ii)         conduct by Executive that amounts to willful misconduct, gross and willful insubordination, or gross neglect in the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder;

 

(iii)        Executive’s conviction of, indictment for (or its procedural equivalent), or entering of a guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to, a crime involving breach of trust or moral turpitude or any felony;

 

(iv)        receipt of any form of notice, written or otherwise, that any regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the Bank intends to institute any form of formal or informal regulatory action against Executive;

 

(v)         Executive’s removal and/or permanent prohibition from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(e) or (g);

 

(vi)        the exhibition of a standard of behavior within the scope of or related to his employment that is materially disruptive to the orderly conduct of the Bank’s business operations (including, without limitation, substance abuse or sexual harassment or sexual misconduct that violates federal or state law); or

 

(vii)       a material breach of the terms of this Agreement by Executive not cured by Executive within thirty (30) days of the date the Executive received the Notice of Termination, and, in the event Executive does not cure any such condition, the Bank terminates his employment within thirty (30) days after the period for curing the condition has expired. If the Executive remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Cause shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition; provided, that the Executive shall not have the opportunity to cure if the breach is not susceptible to being cured or such an opportunity would otherwise conflict with applicable federal or state regulatory requirements;

 

provided, that the nature of any act, conduct, behavior, breach or other circumstances constituting Cause shall be set forth with reasonable particularity in a written notice to the Executive that states the facts upon which the Bank Board made such determination.

 

(d)           Change in Control. “Change in Control” shall mean a “change in the ownership of the corporation,” a “change in the effective control of the corporation,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5). For purposes of the preceding sentence, “the corporation” refers to the Corporation or the Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not be deemed to result in a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust), including but not limited to, an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code, sponsored or maintained by the Employer or any corporation controlled by the Employer; or (ii) any merger, consolidation, reorganization, share exchange or other transaction as to which the holders of the capital stock of the Employer before the transaction continue after the transaction to hold, directly or indirectly through a holding company or otherwise, shares of capital stock of the Employer (or other surviving company) representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the value or ordinary voting power to elect directors of the capital stock of the Employer (or other surviving company).

 

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(e)            Code. “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(f)            Competitive Business. “Competitive Business” shall mean an enterprise that is in the business of offering banking products and/or services, which services and/or products are similar or substantially identical to those offered by the Bank during Executive’s employment with the Bank.

 

(g)           Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, the date on which the Notice of Termination is given, and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in such Notice of Termination.

 

(h)           Effective Date. The Effective Date of this Agreement shall mean the date first written above.

 

(i)             Disability. “Disability” shall mean the Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer.

 

(j)             Good Reason. “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following conditions:

 

(i)          any material breach of this Agreement by the Bank, including without limitation any of the following: (A) a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary, (B) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities as prescribed in Section 2, or (C) any requirement that the Executive report to a corporate officer or employee of the Bank instead of reporting directly to the Bank Board, or

 

(ii)         any involuntary material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform his services under this Agreement for a period of more than 90 days;

 

provided, however, that prior to any termination of employment for Good Reason, the Executive must first provide written notice to the Bank within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the condition, describing the existence of such condition, and the Bank shall thereafter have the right to remedy the condition within thirty (30) days of the date the Bank received the written notice from the Executive. If the Bank remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Good Reason shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition. If the Bank does not remedy the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then the Executive may deliver a Notice of Termination for Good Reason at any time within sixty (60) days following the expiration of such cure period.

 

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(k)            Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of the Executive’s employment by the Bank for any reason, including without limitation for Cause or Disability, or by the Executive for any reason, including without limitation for Good Reason, shall be communicated by a written “Notice of Termination” to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a dated notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, (iii) specifies a Date of Termination, which shall be effective immediately if the Bank terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, and (iv) is given in the manner specified in Section 13 hereof.

 

(l)             Territory. “Territory” shall mean, to the extent the Bank carries on business therein, (i) Acadia, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans, St. Martin and St. Tammany Parishes, Louisiana, (ii) Adams and Warren Counties, Mississippi, and (iii) in the event that the Bank expands the geographic reach of its business to other parishes or counties, the definition of Territory shall expand to include such additional parishes or counties. In any such case, the Executive agrees to execute and deliver an amendment hereto adding the additional parishes or counties, upon payment to the Executive by the Bank of the sum of one hundred dollars ($100).

 

2.            Term of Employment and Duties.

 

(a)           The Bank hereby employs the Executive as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, and the Executive hereby accepts said employment and agrees to render such services to the Bank on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be and remain in effect during the period beginning on the Effective Date of this Agreement and ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Date, plus such extensions, if any, as are provided pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof (the “ Employment Period ”).

 

(b)          At least thirty (30) days prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date and each anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter (the “ Renewal Date ”), the Bank Board shall consider and review (after taking into account all relevant factors, including the Executive’s performance hereunder) whether it is in the best interests of the Bank to extend the term of this Agreement. If the Bank Board determines that an extension of the term of this Agreement is in the best interests of the Bank, then the Bank Board may approve a one-year extension of the term of this Agreement effective as of the Renewal Date, in which case the term of this Agreement shall be extended for one additional year, unless the Executive gives written notice to the Employer of the Executive’s election not to extend the term, with such written notice to be given not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such Renewal Date. The Bank Board agrees to inform the Executive not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such Renewal Date as to whether or not the Bank Board elected to extend the term of this Agreement. If the Agreement is not extended as of any Renewal Date, then this Agreement shall terminate at the conclusion of its remaining term. References herein to the term of this Agreement shall refer both to the initial term and successive terms.

 

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(c)           Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Bank at any time from terminating the Executive’s employment as President and Chief Executive Officer during the Employment Period for any reason, provided that the relative rights and obligations of the Bank and the Executive in the event of any such termination shall be determined under this Agreement.

 

(d)          During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall manage the operations of the Bank and oversee the officers that report to him. The Executive shall also oversee the implementation of the policies adopted by the Bank Board and shall report directly to the Bank Board. In addition, the Executive shall perform such executive services for the Bank as may be consistent with his titles and from time to time assigned to him by the Bank Board.

 

3.            Compensation and Benefits.

 

(a)           The Employer shall compensate and pay the Executive for his services during the term of this Agreement at a minimum base salary per year that is no less than the amount paid to Executive as of the Effective Date of this Agreement (“ Base Salary ”), which amount may be increased from time to time in such amounts as may be determined by the Bank Board and may not be decreased without the Executive’s express written consent. The Executive and the Bank acknowledge that a portion of the Base Salary may be paid by the Corporation pursuant to the terms of the Corporation Agreement for services rendered to the Corporation by the Executive pursuant to his service as President and Chief Executive Officer thereof, and the Executive and the Bank further acknowledge and agree that the combined Base Salary paid to the Executive each year by the Corporation and the Bank shall be the amount set forth above, as increased from time to time by the Bank Board.

 

(b)          Subject to applicable law, including any required regulatory approval, for each calendar year during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in an annual incentive bonus plan that by its terms provides financial awards that are no less in bonus value or greater in performance levels than plan terms offered to other senior executives of the Bank, with award opportunities approved from year to year by the Bank Board (“ Incentive Compensation ”). Threshold, target and maximum corporate performance levels shall be established by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or the Bank Board, as applicable, from year to year based on budget, earnings growth, profitability, asset quality, qualitative risk measures and such other performance metrics as either such board reasonably may determine and shall be outlined in the specific award opportunity. The performance measures for any given year shall be set no later than December 31 st of the year preceding the performance year of Incentive Compensation eligibility. Entitlement to and payment of such Incentive Compensation is subject to the discretion and approval of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or the Bank Board, as applicable. Any Incentive Compensation earned shall be payable no later than March 15 th of the year following the year in which the bonus is earned, in accordance with the Employer’s normal practices for the payment of short-term incentives. To be entitled to any payment of Incentive Compensation, Executive must be employed by the Employer on the last day of the applicable performance period. The payment of any Incentive Compensation shall be subject to any approvals or non-objections required by any regulator of the Employer, and the obligation to pay any such Incentive Compensation shall be rendered null and void to the extent the same is then prohibited by any applicable law or regulatory restriction.

 

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(c)           Executive will be eligible to participate in any stock option plan, restricted stock or long-term equity incentive plans offered by the Corporation, similar to that offered to other senior executives on terms consistent with Executive’s position with the Corporation.

 

(d)          Executive and Executive’s family shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under any health and welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Bank, to the extent applicable to similarly situated executives of the Bank and subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility requirements (including any required premium payments or other costs) therefore as may be prescribed by the Bank or set forth in the terms of such plans, practices, policies and programs from time to time.

 

(e)           During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in and receive the benefits of any pension or other retirement benefit plan, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, or other plans, benefits and privileges given to employees and executives of the Employer, to the extent commensurate with his then duties and responsibilities, as fixed by the Bank Board. The Bank shall not make any changes in any compensation or other plans, benefits or privileges which would adversely affect the Executive’s rights or benefits thereunder, unless such change occurs pursuant to a program applicable to all executive officers of the Bank and does not result in a proportionately greater adverse change in the rights of or benefits to the Executive as compared with any other executive officer of the Bank. Nothing paid to the Executive under any plan or arrangement presently in effect or made available in the future shall be deemed to be in lieu of the salary payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof.

 

(f)           Except as otherwise agreed between the Corporation and the Bank, the Executive’s compensation, benefits and severance set forth in this Agreement shall be paid by the Corporation and the Bank in the same proportion as the time and services actually expended by the Executive on the business of the Corporation and the business of the Bank, respectively, with any amounts paid by the Corporation to be credited towards the obligations of the Bank under this Agreement. For this purpose, the Executive shall maintain, and provide to the Bank on at least a monthly basis, documentation of the time and expenses expended by the Executive on the business of each of the Corporation and the Bank. No provision contained in this Agreement shall require the Bank to pay any portion of the Executive’s compensation, benefits, severance and expenses required to be paid by the Corporation pursuant to this Agreement or the agreement of even date being entered into between the Corporation and the Executive.

 

(g)          The Executive agrees to repay any compensation previously paid or otherwise made available to the Executive under this Agreement that is subject to recovery under any clawback or compensation recovery policy as may be adopted from time to time by the Employer or under any applicable law (including any rule of any exchange or service through which the securities of the Corporation are then traded), including, but not limited to, the following circumstances:

 

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(i)          where such compensation was in excess of what should have been paid or made available because the determination of the amount due was based, in whole or in part, on materially inaccurate financial information of the Bank;

 

(ii)         where such compensation constitutes “excessive compensation” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. Part 30, Appendix A;

 

(iii)        where Executive has committed, is substantially responsible for, or has violated, the respective acts, omissions, conditions, or offenses outlined under 12 C.F.R. Section 359.4(a)(4); and

 

(iv)        if the Bank becomes, and for so long as the Bank remains, subject to the provisions of 12 U.S.C. Section 1831o(f), where such compensation exceeds the restrictions imposed on the senior executive officers of such an institution.

 

Executive agrees to return within sixty (60) days, or within any earlier timeframe required by applicable law or any recoupment policy, any such compensation properly identified by the Bank by written notice. If Executive fails to return such compensation within the applicable time period, Executive agrees that the amount of such compensation may be deducted from any and all other compensation owed to Executive by the Bank. The provisions of this subsection shall be modified to the extent, and remain in effect for the period, required by applicable law.

 

4.            Expenses. The Employer shall reimburse the Executive or otherwise provide for or pay for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in furtherance of or in connection with the business of the Employer, including, but not by way of limitation, automobile expenses, traveling expenses, and all reasonable entertainment expenses (whether incurred at the Executive’s residence, while traveling or otherwise), subject to such reasonable documentation and policies as may be established by the Bank Board. If such expenses are paid in the first instance by the Executive, the Employer shall reimburse the Executive therefor. Such reimbursement shall be paid promptly by the Employer and in any event no later than March 15 of the year immediately following the year in which such expenses were incurred.

 

5.            Termination.

 

(a)           The Bank shall have the right, at any time upon prior Notice of Termination, to terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, including without limitation termination for Cause or Disability, and the Executive shall have the right, upon prior Notice of Termination, to terminate his employment hereunder for any reason.

 

(b)          In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason, the Employer shall have no further obligations to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, except as provided in Section 5(e) or (f), other than for (i) payment of his Base Salary and any Incentive Compensation accrued but unpaid as of the Date of Termination, (ii) reimbursement of expenses incurred, but unpaid, as of the Date of Termination, and (iii) amounts otherwise due and payable pursuant to the terms then in effect under any compensatory plan or practice in which the Executive is then a participant (the Accrued Obligations ”). The Accrued Obligations shall be payable in accordance with the Employer’s regular payroll practices or the terms of such compensatory plan or practice, as applicable.

 

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(c)           In the event that (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Disability, death or Good Reason, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination, other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(d)           In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of Disability or the Executive’s death during the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination, other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(e)           In the event that, outside of a Change in Control Window, (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for other than Cause, Disability or the Executive’s death or (ii) such employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Employer shall:

 

(A)         pay to the Executive, in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination, a cash severance amount equal to three (3) times that portion of his Base Salary paid by the Bank, and

 

(B)         maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) thirty-six (36) months after the Date of Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive’s full-time employment by another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this subparagraph (B)), at no cost to the Executive, the continued participation of the Executive and his dependents in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident insurance, and disability insurance offered by the Employer in which the Executive and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination, subject to compliance with Section 5(g) below.

 

(f)           In the event that within three (3) months prior to, concurrently with or twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (a “ Change in Control Window ”), (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for other than Cause, Disability or the Executive’s death or (ii) such employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Employer shall, subject to the provisions of Section 6 hereof, if applicable,

 

(A)         pay to the Executive, in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination (or if applicable, the later date of a Change in Control), a cash severance amount equal to three (3) times that portion of his Annual Compensation paid by the Bank, and

 

(B)         maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) thirty-six (36) months after the Date of Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive’s full-time employment by another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this subparagraph (B)), at no cost to the Executive, the continued participation of the Executive and his dependents in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident insurance, and disability insurance offered by the Employer in which the Executive and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination, subject to compliance with Section 5(g) below.

 

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(g)          Any insurance premiums payable by the Employer or any successors pursuant to this Section 5 shall be payable at such times and in such amounts (except that the Employer shall also pay any employee portion of the premiums) as if the Executive was still an employee of the Employer, subject to any increases in such amounts imposed by the insurance company or COBRA, and the amount of insurance premiums required to be paid by the Employer in any taxable year shall not affect the amount of insurance premiums required to be paid by the Employer in any other taxable year; provided, however, that if the Executive’s participation in any group insurance plan is barred, the Employer shall either arrange to provide the Executive with insurance benefits substantially similar to those which the Executive was entitled to receive under such group insurance plan or, if such coverage cannot be obtained, pay a lump sum cash equivalency amount within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination based on the annualized rate of premiums being paid by the Employer as of the Date of Termination.

 

6.            Limitation of Benefits under Certain Circumstances.

 

(a)           If the payments and benefits pursuant to Section 5 hereof, either alone or together with other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right to receive from the Bank or the Corporation (“ Covered Payments ”), would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code (“ Parachute Payments ”), then the Covered Payments payable by the Bank shall be reduced by the minimum amount necessary so that no portion of the Covered Payments payable by the Bank will constitute a Parachute Payment; provided, however, that the foregoing reduction will be made only if and to the extent that such reduction would result in an increase in the aggregate Covered Payments to be provided, determined on an after-tax basis (taking into account the excise tax imposed pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code (the “ Excise Tax ”), any tax imposed by any comparable provision of state law, and any applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes). Whether requested by the Executive or the Employer, the determination of whether any reduction in such Covered Payments is required pursuant to the preceding sentence will be made at the expense of the Employer by independent accountants selected by the Corporation (the “ Accountants ”). In the event the Covered Payments are required to be reduced pursuant to this Section 6, the Covered Payments will be reduced by category in the following order: (i) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are subject to Section 409A of the Code; (ii) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code; (iii) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Covered Payments that are subject to Section 409A of the Code other than accelerated vesting of equity awards; (iv) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Covered Payments that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code other than accelerated vesting of equity awards; (v) cancellation of accelerated vesting of performance-based equity awards; and (vi) cancellation of accelerated vesting of service-based equity awards. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity award compensation is to be cancelled, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the order that most benefits the Executive. Within each other category, cash severance benefits and other Covered Payments will be reduced pro rata based on the portion of cash severance benefits or other Covered Payments with respect to the Covered Payments, in each case beginning with the cash severance benefits or other Covered Payments that would otherwise be made latest in time; provided that in no event shall the cash portion of the Covered Payments be less than the amount of federal and state income tax withholding owed by the Executive with respect to the Covered Payments. Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall result in a reduction of any payments or benefits to which the Executive may be entitled upon termination of employment under any circumstances other than as specified in this Section 6, or a reduction in the payments and benefits specified in Section 5 below zero.

 

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(b)          Section 7 of this Agreement contains protective covenants of Executive to refrain from certain activities deemed harmful to the Employer for a set period of time in exchange for promises contained herein. If the Executive is deemed eligible to receive Covered Payments under this Agreement that could be subject to the Excise Tax, the Employer shall seek a valuation from the Accountants to determine the value of any such protective covenants and such amount shall be allocated to such arrangements and be excluded from treatment as a Parachute Payment. For the avoidance of doubt, it is the intention of this Agreement that the value assigned to any such protective covenants by the Accountants not be considered a Parachute Payment for purposes of this Section 6.

 

(c)          Any determination required under this Section 6 shall be made in writing in good faith by the Accountants. The Employer and the Executive shall provide the Accountants with such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 6. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 6, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Accountants’ determinations shall be final and binding on the Employer and the Executive.

 

(d)          In the event that the provisions of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code or any successor provisions are repealed without succession, this Section 6 shall be of no further force or effect.

 

7.            Protective Covenants. The Executive shall abide by and be bound by the following protective covenants:

 

(a)          The Bank and Executive acknowledge that the Bank shall disclose during the Employment Period, or has already disclosed, to Executive for use in Executive’s employment, and that during the Employment Period Executive will be provided access to and otherwise make use of, acquire, create, or add to certain valuable, unique, proprietary, and secret information of the Bank (whether tangible or intangible and whether or not electronically kept or stored), including financial statements, drawings, designs, manuals, business plans, processes, procedures, formulas, inventions, pricing policies, customer and prospect lists and contacts, contracts, sources and identity of vendors and contractors, financial information of customers of the Bank, and other proprietary documents, materials, or information indigenous to the Bank, relating to its businesses and activities, or the manner in which the Bank does business, which is valuable to the Bank in conducting its business because the information is kept confidential and is not generally known to the Bank’s competitors or to the general public (the “ Confidential Information ”). Confidential Information does not include information generally known or easily obtained from public sources or public records, unless Executive causes the Confidential Information to become generally known or easily obtained from public sources or public records. To the extent that the Confidential Information rises to the level of a trade secret under applicable law, then Executive shall, during Executive’s employment and for so long as the Confidential Information remains a trade secret under applicable law (or for the maximum period of time otherwise allowed by applicable law) (i) protect and maintain the confidentiality of such trade secrets and (ii) refrain from disclosing, copying, or using any such trade secrets, without the Bank’s prior written consent, except as necessary in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties while employed with the Bank. To the extent that the Confidential Information does not rise to the level of a trade secret under applicable law, Executive shall, during Executive’s employment and for a period of two years following any voluntary or involuntary termination of employment, (i) protect and maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information and (ii) refrain from disclosing, copying, or using any Confidential Information without the Bank’s prior written consent, except as necessary in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties while employed with the Bank.

 

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(b)          Upon any voluntary or involuntary termination of Executive’s employment (or at any time upon request by the Bank), Executive agrees to immediately return to the Bank all property of the Bank (including, without limitation, all documents, electronic files, records, computer drives or disks or other tangible or intangible things that may or may not relate to or otherwise comprise Confidential Information or trade secrets, as defined by applicable law) that Executive created, used, possessed or maintained while working for the Bank from whatever source and whenever created, including all reproductions or excerpts thereof.

 

(c)           During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive agrees not to, directly or indirectly, in the Territory, contact, solicit, divert, appropriate, or call upon, the customers, clients or tangible prospects (prospects recorded on a report by the Executive or the Bank either electronically or not) of the Bank, (i) to solicit such customers or clients or prospective customers or clients for a Competitive Business (including, without limitation, any Competitive Business started by Executive) or (ii) to otherwise encourage any such customer or client or prospective customer or client to discontinue, reduce, or adversely alter the amount of its business with the Bank, Executive acknowledges that, due to Executive’s relationship with the Bank, Executive will develop, or has developed, direct or indirect reports to Executive will develop, or have developed, special contacts and relationships with the Bank’s customers, clients and prospects, and that it would be unfair and harmful to the Bank if Executive took advantage of these relationships.

 

(d)          During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly : (i) solicit, recruit, or hire (or attempt to solicit, recruit, or hire) or otherwise assist anyone in soliciting, recruiting, or hiring, any employee or independent contractor (which shall not include non-exclusive outside vendors) of the Bank who performed work for the Bank within the last six (6) months of Executive’s employment with the Bank or who was otherwise engaged or employed with the Bank at the time of said termination of employment of Executive or (ii) otherwise encourage, solicit, or support any such employees or independent contractors to leave their employment or engagement with the Bank, in either case until such employee or contractor has been terminated or separated from the Bank for at least twelve (12) months.

 

(e)           During the Employment Period and, unless (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Good Reason, for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, compete with the Bank, as an officer, director, member, principal, partner, shareholder (other than a shareholder in a company that is publicly traded and so long as such ownership is less than five percent (5%), owner, manager, supervisor, administrator, employee, consultant, or independent contractor, by working in the Territory for or as a Competitive Business in the Territory, in a capacity identical or substantially similar to the capacity in which Executive served at the Bank.

 

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(f)           During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Bank agrees that it will not issue any statement (written or oral) that could reasonably be perceived as disparaging to the Executive. During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Executive agrees that he will not make any statement (written or oral) that could reasonably be perceived as disparaging to the Bank or any person or entity that he reasonably should know is an affiliate of the Bank.

 

(g)          It is understood and agreed by Executive that the Bank and Executive have attempted to limit his right to compete only to the extent necessary to protect the Bank from unfair competition. It is acknowledged that the purpose of these covenants and promises is (and that they are necessary) to protect the Bank’s legitimate business interests, to protect the Bank’s investment in the overall development of its business and the good will of its customers, and to protect and retain (and to prevent Executive from unfairly and to the detriment of the Bank utilizing or taking advantage of) such business trade secrets and Confidential Information of the Bank and those substantial contacts and relationships (including those with customers and employees of the Bank) which Executive established due to his employment with the Bank. Therefore, in addition to any other remedies, Executive agrees that any violation of the covenants in this Section 7 result in the immediate forfeiture of any remaining payment that otherwise is or may become due under this Agreement, if applicable. Executive further agrees that should he breach any of the covenants contained in this Section 7, no further amounts will be paid to Executive pursuant hereto and Executive shall repay to the Bank any amounts previously received by Executive hereunder that are attributable to that portion of the payments paid for the period during which Executive was in breach of any of the covenants. The Bank and Executive agree that all remedies available to the Bank or Executive, as applicable, shall be cumulative. Executive acknowledges that these covenants and promises (and their respective time, geographic, and/or activity limitations) are reasonable and that said limitations are no greater than necessary to protect said legitimate business interests in light of Executive’s position with the Bank and the Bank’s business, and Executive agrees to strictly abide by the terms hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is ruled invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction because of a conflict between the provision and any applicable law or public policy, the provision shall be redrawn to make the provision consistent with, and valid and enforceable under, the law or public policy.

 

(h)          Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) nothing in this Agreement, including but not limited to the Release, or other agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress and any agency Inspector General (the “ Government Agencies ”), or communicating with Government Agencies or otherwise participating in any investigation or proceedings that may be conducted by Government Agencies, including providing documents or other information; (ii) Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Bank to take any action described in subsection (i), and Executive is not required to notify the Bank that he has taken any action described in subsection (i); and (iii) neither this Agreement nor any release signed by Executive limits Executive’s right to receive an award for providing information relating to a possible securities law violation to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further, notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal, state or local trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (1) is made (y) in confidence to a federal, state or local official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (z) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation or law; or (2) is made in a compliant or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Additionally, if Executive is suing the Bank for retaliation based on the reporting of a suspected violation, of law, he may disclose a trade secret to his attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, so long as any document containing the trade secret is filed under seal and Executive does not disclose the trade secret except pursuant to court order.

 

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(i)            The Bank or Executive shall have the right to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive relief with respect to the enforcement of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 7. This remedy shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights or remedies to which the Bank or Executive are or may be entitled at law or in equity respecting this Agreement.

 

8.            Mitigation; Exclusivity of Benefits.

 

(a)          The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any benefits hereunder by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any such benefits be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer after the Date of Termination or otherwise, except as set forth in Sections 5(e)(B) and 5(f)(B) above.

 

(b)          The specific arrangements referred to herein are not intended to exclude any other vested benefits which may be available to the Executive upon a termination of employment with the Bank pursuant to employee benefit plans of the Bank or the Corporation or otherwise.

 

9.            Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Bank hereunder to the Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax and other payroll deductions as the Bank shall determine are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

10.          Section 409A .

 

(a)          This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner so that any amount or benefit payable hereunder shall be paid or provided in a manner that is either exempt from or compliant with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder. Nevertheless, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed. Neither the Bank nor its directors, officers, employees, or advisers shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties, or other monetary amounts owed by the Executive as a result of the application of Section 409A of the Code.

 

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(b)          Notwithstanding any provision in the Agreement to the contrary, to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of tax on the Executive under Section 409A of the Code, any payments that are otherwise payable to the Executive within the first six (6) months following the Date of Termination, shall be suspended and paid as soon as practicable following the end of the six-month period following the Date of Termination if, immediately prior to the Executive’s termination, the Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) of the Bank (or any related “service recipient” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder). Any payments suspended by operation of the foregoing sentence shall be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the end of such six-month period. Payments (or portions thereof) that would be paid latest in time during the six-month period will be suspended first.

 

(c)          The Bank shall have the sole authority to make any accelerated distribution permissible under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) to the Executive of deferred amounts, provided that such distribution meets the requirements of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4).

 

11.          Legal Fees . If, after a Change in Control, it appears to Executive that (a) the Employer has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (b) the Employer or any other person (other than Executive) has taken any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or instituted any litigation or other legal action designed to deny, diminish, or to recover from Executive the benefits intended to be provided to Executive hereunder (including any payment pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement), the Employer irrevocably authorizes Executive from time to time to retain counsel of his choice, at the Employer’s expense, to represent Executive in connection with the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Employer or any of its affiliated companies or any director, officer, shareholder, or other person affiliated with the Employer. Executive shall give the Employer notice within ten (10) days after retaining any such counsel. The fees and expenses of counsel selected from time to time by Executive as provided in this Section 11 shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive by the Employer, whether suit or an arbitration proceeding has been brought or not. The Employer’s obligation to pay Executive’s legal fees provided by this Section 11 operates separately from and in addition to any legal fee reimbursement obligation the Employer has with Executive under any separate severance or other agreement.

 

12.          Assignability. The Bank may assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any corporation, bank or other entity with or into which the Bank may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which the Bank may transfer all or substantially all of its assets, if in any such case said corporation, bank or other entity shall by operation of law or expressly in writing assume all obligations of the Bank hereunder as fully as if it had been originally made a party hereto, but may not otherwise assign this Agreement or its rights and obligations hereunder. The Executive may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder.

 

13.          Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth below:

 

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To the Bank: Secretary
  Home Bank, N.A.
  503 Kaliste Saloom
  Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
   
To the Executive: John W. Bordelon
  At the address last appearing on
  the personnel records of the Employer

 

14.         Amendment; Waiver. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and such officer or officers as may be specifically designated by the Bank Board to sign on its behalf. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any breach by any other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.

 

15.         Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States where applicable and otherwise by the substantive laws of the State of Louisiana.

 

16.         Nature of Obligations. Nothing contained herein shall create or require the Bank to create a trust of any kind to fund any benefits which may be payable hereunder, and to the extent that the Executive acquires a right to receive benefits from the Bank hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Bank.

 

17.         Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

18.         Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

19.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

20.         Regulatory Actions and Prohibitions. The following provisions shall be controlling in the event of a conflict with any other provision of this Agreement, including without limitation Section 5 hereof.

 

(a)          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with Section 18(k) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1828(k)) and 12 C.F.R. Part 359 (collectively, the “ Golden Parachute Restrictions ”). In the event any such payments become due and payable under this Agreement at a time when such payments would constitute “golden parachute payments,” other than “golden parachute payments” for which the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency has been received as contemplated by the Golden Parachute Restrictions, the obligation on the part of the Employer to make any such payments shall become null and void.

 

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(b)          If the Executive is suspended from office and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs pursuant to notice served under Section 8(e) or Section 8(g) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“ FDIA ”)(12 U.S.C. §§1818(e) and 1818(g)), the Bank shall have the right to suspend all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Bank shall reinstate prospectively (in whole or in part) any of its obligations which were suspended.

 

(c)           If the Executive is removed from office and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e) or Section 8(g) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §§1818(e) and (g)), the Bank shall have the right to terminate all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement as of the effective date of such order, except for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(d)          If the Bank is in default, as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1813(x)(1)), all obligations under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default, but vested rights of the Executive and the Bank as of the date of termination shall not be affected.

 

(e)          All obligations under this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to 12 C.F.R. §563.39(b)(5), except to the extent that it is determined that continuation of the Agreement for the continued operation of the Bank is necessary: (i) by the Comptroller of the Currency, or his/her designee, at the time the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“ FDIC ”) enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority contained in Section 13(c) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1823(c)); or (ii) by the Comptroller of the Currency, or his/her designee, at the time the Comptroller of the Currency or his/her designee approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to operation of the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the Comptroller of the Currency to be in an unsafe or unsound condition, but vested rights of the Executive and the Employer as of the date of termination shall not be affected.

 

(f)           Any payments suspended by operation of this Section 20 shall be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days following receipt of the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency of the Bank or as otherwise directed by such federal banking agency.

 

(g)          All obligations under this Agreement are further subject to such conditions, restrictions, limitations and forfeiture provisions as may separately apply pursuant to any applicable state banking laws.

 

21.         Changes in Statutes or Regulations. If any statutory or regulatory provision referenced herein is subsequently changed or re-numbered, or is replaced by a separate provision, then the references in this Agreement to such statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a reference to such section as amended, re-numbered or replaced.

 

22.         Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein. All prior agreements between the Bank and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein, including but not limited to the Prior Agreement, are hereby superseded and shall have no force or effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Agreement shall affect the agreement of even date being entered into between the Corporation and the Executive.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

Attest:   HOME BANK, N.A.
       
/s/ Daniel G. Guidry   By: /s/ Michael P. Maraist
Daniel G. Guidry     Michael P. Maraist
Corporate Secretary     Chairman of the Board
       
    EXECUTIVE
       
    By: /s/ John W. Bordelon
      John W. Bordelon

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

HOME BANK, N.A.
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of the 20th day of May, 2019, between Home Bank, N.A. (the “ Bank ” or the “ Employer ”), a nationally chartered bank which is the wholly owned subsidiary of Home Bancorp, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”), and Jason Paul Freyou (the “ Executive ”).

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is currently employed as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of the Bank, and the Executive and the Bank have previously entered into an employment agreement dated April 27, 2015, as amended (the “ Prior Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS , the Board of Directors of the Bank (the “ Bank Board ”) has reviewed the Executive’s performance and has determined that it is in the Bank’s best interests to extend the term of the Bank’s employment agreement with the Executive;

 

WHEREAS , the Bank desires to assure itself of the continued availability of the Executive’s services as provided in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS , the Bank desires to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in order to make certain changes; and

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is willing to serve the Bank on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the Bank and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

 

1.           Definitions. The following words and terms shall have the meanings set forth below for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)           Annual Compensation. The Executive’s “Annual Compensation” for purposes of determining severance payable under this Agreement shall be deemed to mean the sum of (i) the annual rate of Base Salary as of the Date of Termination, and (ii) any Incentive Compensation or other cash bonus, if any, earned by the Executive for the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the Date of Termination occurs.

 

(b)           Base Salary. “Base Salary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

 

(c)           Cause. Termination of the Executive’s employment for “Cause” shall mean termination because of, as determined by Bank Board acting in good faith:

 

(i)          any act by Executive of fraud against, material misappropriation from, or material dishonesty to the Bank;

 

 

 

 

(ii)         conduct by Executive that amounts to willful misconduct, gross and willful insubordination, or gross neglect in the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder;

 

(iii)        Executive’s conviction of, indictment for (or its procedural equivalent), or entering of a guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to, a crime involving breach of trust or moral turpitude or any felony;

 

(iv)        receipt of any form of notice, written or otherwise, that any regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the Bank intends to institute any form of formal or informal regulatory action against Executive;

 

(v)         Executive’s removal and/or permanent prohibition from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(e) or (g);

 

(vi)        the exhibition of a standard of behavior within the scope of or related to his employment that is materially disruptive to the orderly conduct of the Bank’s business operations (including, without limitation, substance abuse or sexual harassment or sexual misconduct that violates federal or state law); or

 

(vii)       a material breach of the terms of this Agreement by Executive not cured by Executive within thirty (30) days of the date the Executive received the Notice of Termination, and, in the event Executive does not cure any such condition, the Bank terminates his employment within thirty (30) days after the period for curing the condition has expired. If the Executive remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Cause shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition; provided, that the Executive shall not have the opportunity to cure if the breach is not susceptible to being cured or such an opportunity would otherwise conflict with applicable federal or state regulatory requirements;

 

provided, that the nature of any act, conduct, behavior, breach or other circumstances constituting Cause shall be set forth with reasonable particularity in a written notice to the Executive that states the facts upon which the Bank Board made such determination.

 

(d)           Change in Control. “Change in Control” shall mean a “change in the ownership of the corporation,” a “change in the effective control of the corporation,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5). For purposes of the preceding sentence, “the corporation” refers to the Corporation or the Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not be deemed to result in a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust), including but not limited to, an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code, sponsored or maintained by the Employer or any corporation controlled by the Employer; or (ii) any merger, consolidation, reorganization, share exchange or other transaction as to which the holders of the capital stock of the Employer before the transaction continue after the transaction to hold, directly or indirectly through a holding company or otherwise, shares of capital stock of the Employer (or other surviving company) representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the value or ordinary voting power to elect directors of the capital stock of the Employer (or other surviving company).

 

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(e)           Code. “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(f)            Competitive Business. “Competitive Business” shall mean an enterprise that is in the business of offering banking products and/or services, which services and/or products are similar or substantially identical to those offered by the Bank during Executive’s employment with the Bank.

 

(g)           Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, the date on which the Notice of Termination is given, and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in such Notice of Termination.

 

(h)           Effective Date. The Effective Date of this Agreement shall mean the date first written above.

 

(i)            Disability. “Disability” shall mean the Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer.

 

(j)            Good Reason. “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following conditions:

 

(i)          any material breach of this Agreement by the Bank, including without limitation any of the following: (A) a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary, (B) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities as prescribed in Section 2, or (C) any requirement that the Executive report to a corporate officer or employee of the Bank instead of reporting directly to the President and/or Chief Executive Officer, or

 

(ii)         any involuntary material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform his services under this Agreement for a period of more than 90 days;

 

provided, however, that prior to any termination of employment for Good Reason, the Executive must first provide written notice to the Bank within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the condition, describing the existence of such condition, and the Bank shall thereafter have the right to remedy the condition within thirty (30) days of the date the Bank received the written notice from the Executive. If the Bank remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Good Reason shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition. If the Bank does not remedy the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then the Executive may deliver a Notice of Termination for Good Reason at any time within sixty (60) days following the expiration of such cure period.

 

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(k)           Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of the Executive’s employment by the Bank for any reason, including without limitation for Cause or Disability, or by the Executive for any reason, including without limitation for Good Reason, shall be communicated by a written “Notice of Termination” to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a dated notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, (iii) specifies a Date of Termination, which shall be effective immediately if the Bank terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, and (iv) is given in the manner specified in Section 13 hereof.

 

(l)            Territory. “Territory” shall mean, to the extent the Bank carries on business therein, (i) Acadia, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans, St. Martin and St. Tammany Parishes, Louisiana, (ii) Adams and Warren Counties, Mississippi, and (iii) in the event that the Bank expands the geographic reach of its business to other parishes or counties, the definition of Territory shall expand to include such additional parishes or counties. In any such case, the Executive agrees to execute and deliver an amendment hereto adding the additional parishes or counties, upon payment to the Executive by the Bank of the sum of one hundred dollars ($100).

 

2.           Term of Employment and Duties.

 

(a)          The Bank hereby employs the Executive as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of the Bank, and the Executive hereby accepts said employment and agrees to render such services to the Bank on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be and remain in effect during the period beginning on the Effective Date of this Agreement and ending on the second anniversary of the Effective Date, plus such extensions, if any, as are provided pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof (the “ Employment Period ”).

 

(b)          At least thirty (30) days prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date and each anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter (the “ Renewal Date ”), the Bank Board shall consider and review (after taking into account all relevant factors, including the Executive’s performance hereunder) whether it is in the best interests of the Bank to extend the term of this Agreement. If the Bank Board determines that an extension of the term of this Agreement is in the best interests of the Bank, then the Bank Board may approve a one-year extension of the term of this Agreement effective as of the Renewal Date, in which case the term of this Agreement shall be extended for one additional year, unless the Executive gives written notice to the Employer of the Executive’s election not to extend the term, with such written notice to be given not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such Renewal Date. The Bank Board agrees to inform the Executive not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such Renewal Date as to whether or not the Bank Board elected to extend the term of this Agreement. If the Agreement is not extended as of any Renewal Date, then this Agreement shall terminate at the conclusion of its remaining term. References herein to the term of this Agreement shall refer both to the initial term and successive terms.

 

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(c)          Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Bank at any time from terminating the Executive’s employment as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer during the Employment Period for any reason, provided that the relative rights and obligations of the Bank and the Executive in the event of any such termination shall be determined under this Agreement.

 

(d)          During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall manage the sales of products and services of the Bank. The Executive shall report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. In addition, the Executive shall perform such executive services for the Bank as may be consistent with his titles and from time to time assigned to him by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank.

 

3.           Compensation and Benefits.

 

(a)          The Employer shall compensate and pay the Executive for his services during the term of this Agreement at a minimum base salary per year that is no less than the amount paid to Executive as of the Effective Date of this Agreement (“ Base Salary ”), which amount may be increased from time to time in such amounts as may be determined by the Bank Board and may not be decreased without the Executive’s express written consent. The Executive and the Bank acknowledge that a portion of the Base Salary may be paid by the Corporation for services rendered to the Corporation by the Executive, and the Executive and the Bank further acknowledge and agree that the combined Base Salary paid to the Executive each year by the Corporation and the Bank shall be the amount set forth above, as increased from time to time by the Bank Board.

 

(b)          Subject to applicable law, including any required regulatory approval, for each calendar year during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in an annual incentive bonus plan that by its terms provides financial awards that are no less in bonus value or greater in performance levels than plan terms offered to other senior executives of the Bank, with award opportunities approved from year to year by the Bank Board (“ Incentive Compensation ”). Threshold, target and maximum corporate performance levels shall be established by the Bank Board from year to year based on budget, earnings growth, profitability, asset quality, qualitative risk measures and such other performance metrics as the Bank Board reasonably may determine and shall be outlined in the specific award opportunity. The performance measures for any given year shall be set no later than December 31 st of the year preceding the performance year of Incentive Compensation eligibility. Entitlement to and payment of such Incentive Compensation is subject to the discretion and approval of the Bank Board. Any Incentive Compensation earned shall be payable no later than March 15 th of the year following the year in which the bonus is earned, in accordance with the Employer’s normal practices for the payment of short-term incentives. To be entitled to any payment of Incentive Compensation, Executive must be employed by the Employer on the last day of the applicable performance period. The payment of any Incentive Compensation shall be subject to any approvals or non-objections required by any regulator of the Employer, and the obligation to pay any such Incentive Compensation shall be rendered null and void to the extent the same is then prohibited by any applicable law or regulatory restriction.

 

(c)          Executive will be eligible to participate in any stock option plan, restricted stock or long-term equity incentive plans offered by the Corporation, similar to that offered to other senior executives on terms consistent with Executive’s position with the Corporation.

 

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(d)          Executive and Executive’s family shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under any health and welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Bank, to the extent applicable to similarly situated executives of the Bank and subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility requirements (including any required premium payments or other costs) therefore as may be prescribed by the Bank or set forth in the terms of such plans, practices, policies and programs from time to time.

 

(e)          During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in and receive the benefits of any pension or other retirement benefit plan, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, or other plans, benefits and privileges given to employees and executives of the Employer, to the extent commensurate with his then duties and responsibilities, as fixed by the Bank Board. The Bank shall not make any changes in any compensation or other plans, benefits or privileges which would adversely affect the Executive’s rights or benefits thereunder, unless such change occurs pursuant to a program applicable to all executive officers of the Bank and does not result in a proportionately greater adverse change in the rights of or benefits to the Executive as compared with any other executive officer of the Bank. Nothing paid to the Executive under any plan or arrangement presently in effect or made available in the future shall be deemed to be in lieu of the salary payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof.

 

(f)           Except as otherwise agreed between the Corporation and the Bank, the Executive’s compensation, benefits and severance set forth in this Agreement shall be paid by the Corporation and the Bank in the same proportion as the time and services actually expended by the Executive on the business of the Corporation and the business of the Bank, respectively, with any amounts paid by the Corporation to be credited towards the obligations of the Bank under this Agreement. For this purpose, the Executive shall maintain, and provide to the Bank on at least a monthly basis, documentation of the time and expenses expended by the Executive on the business of each of the Corporation and the Bank.

 

(g)          The Executive agrees to repay any compensation previously paid or otherwise made available to the Executive under this Agreement that is subject to recovery under any clawback or compensation recovery policy as may be adopted from time to time by the Employer or under any applicable law (including any rule of any exchange or service through which the securities of the Corporation are then traded), including, but not limited to, the following circumstances:

 

(i)          where such compensation was in excess of what should have been paid or made available because the determination of the amount due was based, in whole or in part, on materially inaccurate financial information of the Bank;

 

(ii)         where such compensation constitutes “excessive compensation” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. Part 30, Appendix A;

 

(iii)        where Executive has committed, is substantially responsible for, or has violated, the respective acts, omissions, conditions, or offenses outlined under 12 C.F.R. Section 359.4(a)(4); and

 

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(iv)        if the Bank becomes, and for so long as the Bank remains, subject to the provisions of 12 U.S.C. Section 1831o(f), where such compensation exceeds the restrictions imposed on the senior executive officers of such an institution.

 

Executive agrees to return within sixty (60) days, or within any earlier timeframe required by applicable law or any recoupment policy, any such compensation properly identified by the Bank by written notice. If Executive fails to return such compensation within the applicable time period, Executive agrees that the amount of such compensation may be deducted from any and all other compensation owed to Executive by the Bank. The provisions of this subsection shall be modified to the extent, and remain in effect for the period, required by applicable law.

 

4.           Expenses. The Employer shall reimburse the Executive or otherwise provide for or pay for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in furtherance of or in connection with the business of the Employer, including, but not by way of limitation, automobile expenses, traveling expenses, and all reasonable entertainment expenses (whether incurred at the Executive’s residence, while traveling or otherwise), subject to such reasonable documentation and policies as may be established by the Bank Board. If such expenses are paid in the first instance by the Executive, the Employer shall reimburse the Executive therefor. Such reimbursement shall be paid promptly by the Employer and in any event no later than March 15 th of the year immediately following the year in which such expenses were incurred.

 

5.           Termination.

 

(a)          The Bank shall have the right, at any time upon prior Notice of Termination, to terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, including without limitation termination for Cause or Disability, and the Executive shall have the right, upon prior Notice of Termination, to terminate his employment hereunder for any reason.

 

(b)          In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason, the Employer shall have no further obligations to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, except as provided in Section 5(e) or (f), other than for (i) payment of his Base Salary and any Incentive Compensation accrued but unpaid as of the Date of Termination, (ii) reimbursement of expenses incurred, but unpaid, as of the Date of Termination, and (iii) amounts otherwise due and payable pursuant to the terms then in effect under any compensatory plan or practice in which the Executive is then a participant (the “ Accrued Obligations ”). The Accrued Obligations shall be payable in accordance with the Employer’s regular payroll practices or the terms of such compensatory plan or practice, as applicable.

 

(c)          In the event that (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Disability, death or Good Reason, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination, other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(d)          In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of Disability or the Executive’s death during the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination, other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

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(e)          In the event that, outside of a Change in Control Window, (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for other than Cause, Disability or the Executive’s death or (ii) such employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Employer shall:

 

(A)         pay to the Executive, in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination, a cash severance amount equal to one (1) times his Base Salary, and

 

(B)         maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive’s full-time employment by another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this subparagraph (B)), at no cost to the Executive, the continued participation of the Executive and his dependents in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident insurance, and disability insurance offered by the Employer in which the Executive and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination, subject to compliance with Section 5(g) below.

 

(f)           In the event that within three (3) months prior to, concurrently with or twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (a “ Change in Control Window ”), (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for other than Cause, Disability or the Executive’s death or (ii) such employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Employer shall, subject to the provisions of Section 6 hereof, if applicable,

 

(A)         pay to the Executive, in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination (or if applicable, the later date of a Change in Control), a cash severance amount equal to two (2) times his Annual Compensation, and

 

(B)         maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) twenty-four (24) months after the Date of Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive’s full-time employment by another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this subparagraph (B)), at no cost to the Executive, the continued participation of the Executive and his dependents in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident insurance, and disability insurance offered by the Employer in which the Executive and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination, subject to compliance with Section 5(g) below.

 

(g)          Any insurance premiums payable by the Employer or any successors pursuant to this Section 5 shall be payable at such times and in such amounts (except that the Employer shall also pay any employee portion of the premiums) as if the Executive was still an employee of the Employer, subject to any increases in such amounts imposed by the insurance company or COBRA, and the amount of insurance premiums required to be paid by the Employer in any taxable year shall not affect the amount of insurance premiums required to be paid by the Employer in any other taxable year; provided, however, that if the Executive’s participation in any group insurance plan is barred, the Employer shall either arrange to provide the Executive with insurance benefits substantially similar to those which the Executive was entitled to receive under such group insurance plan or, if such coverage cannot be obtained, pay a lump sum cash equivalency amount within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination based on the annualized rate of premiums being paid by the Employer as of the Date of Termination.

 

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6.           Limitation of Benefits under Certain Circumstances.

 

(a)          If the payments and benefits pursuant to Section 5 hereof, either alone or together with other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right to receive from the Bank or the Corporation (“ Covered Payments ”), would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code (“ Parachute Payments ”), then the Covered Payments payable by the Bank shall be reduced by the minimum amount necessary so that no portion of the Covered Payments payable by the Bank will constitute a Parachute Payment; provided, however, that the foregoing reduction will be made only if and to the extent that such reduction would result in an increase in the aggregate Covered Payments to be provided, determined on an after-tax basis (taking into account the excise tax imposed pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code (the “ Excise Tax ”), any tax imposed by any comparable provision of state law, and any applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes). Whether requested by the Executive or the Employer, the determination of whether any reduction in such Covered Payments is required pursuant to the preceding sentence will be made at the expense of the Employer by independent accountants selected by the Corporation (the “ Accountants ”). In the event the Covered Payments are required to be reduced pursuant to this Section 6, the Covered Payments will be reduced by category in the following order: (i) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are subject to Section 409A of the Code; (ii) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code; (iii) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Covered Payments that are subject to Section 409A of the Code other than accelerated vesting of equity awards; (iv) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Covered Payments that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code other than accelerated vesting of equity awards; (v) cancellation of accelerated vesting of performance-based equity awards; and (vi) cancellation of accelerated vesting of service-based equity awards. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity award compensation is to be cancelled, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the order that most benefits the Executive. Within each other category, cash severance benefits and other Covered Payments will be reduced pro rata based on the portion of cash severance benefits or other Covered Payments with respect to the Covered Payments, in each case beginning with the cash severance benefits or other Covered Payments that would otherwise be made latest in time; provided that in no event shall the cash portion of the Covered Payments be less than the amount of federal and state income tax withholding owed by the Executive with respect to the Covered Payments. Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall result in a reduction of any payments or benefits to which the Executive may be entitled upon termination of employment under any circumstances other than as specified in this Section 6, or a reduction in the payments and benefits specified in Section 5 below zero.

 

(b)          Section 7 of this Agreement contains protective covenants of Executive to refrain from certain activities deemed harmful to the Employer for a set period of time in exchange for promises contained herein. If the Executive is deemed eligible to receive Covered Payments under this Agreement that could be subject to the Excise Tax, the Employer shall seek a valuation from the Accountants to determine the value of any such protective covenants and such amount shall be allocated to such arrangements and be excluded from treatment as a Parachute Payment. For the avoidance of doubt, it is the intention of this Agreement that the value assigned to any such protective covenants by the Accountants not be considered a Parachute Payment for purposes of this Section 6.

 

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(c)          Any determination required under this Section 6 shall be made in writing in good faith by the Accountants. The Employer and the Executive shall provide the Accountants with such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 6. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 6, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Accountants’ determinations shall be final and binding on the Employer and the Executive.

 

(d)          In the event that the provisions of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code or any successor provisions are repealed without succession, this Section 6 shall be of no further force or effect.

 

7.           Protective Covenants. The Executive shall abide by and be bound by the following protective covenants:

 

(a)          The Bank and Executive acknowledge that the Bank shall disclose during the Employment Period, or has already disclosed, to Executive for use in Executive’s employment, and that during the Employment Period Executive will be provided access to and otherwise make use of, acquire, create, or add to certain valuable, unique, proprietary, and secret information of the Bank (whether tangible or intangible and whether or not electronically kept or stored), including financial statements, drawings, designs, manuals, business plans, processes, procedures, formulas, inventions, pricing policies, customer and prospect lists and contacts, contracts, sources and identity of vendors and contractors, financial information of customers of the Bank, and other proprietary documents, materials, or information indigenous to the Bank, relating to its businesses and activities, or the manner in which the Bank does business, which is valuable to the Bank in conducting its business because the information is kept confidential and is not generally known to the Bank’s competitors or to the general public (the “ Confidential Information ”). Confidential Information does not include information generally known or easily obtained from public sources or public records, unless Executive causes the Confidential Information to become generally known or easily obtained from public sources or public records. To the extent that the Confidential Information rises to the level of a trade secret under applicable law, then Executive shall, during Executive’s employment and for so long as the Confidential Information remains a trade secret under applicable law (or for the maximum period of time otherwise allowed by applicable law) (i) protect and maintain the confidentiality of such trade secrets and (ii) refrain from disclosing, copying, or using any such trade secrets, without the Bank’s prior written consent, except as necessary in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties while employed with the Bank. To the extent that the Confidential Information does not rise to the level of a trade secret under applicable law, Executive shall, during Executive’s employment and for a period of two years following any voluntary or involuntary termination of employment, (i) protect and maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information and (ii) refrain from disclosing, copying, or using any Confidential Information without the Bank’s prior written consent, except as necessary in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties while employed with the Bank.

 

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(b)          Upon any voluntary or involuntary termination of Executive’s employment (or at any time upon request by the Bank), Executive agrees to immediately return to the Bank all property of the Bank (including, without limitation, all documents, electronic files, records, computer drives or disks or other tangible or intangible things that may or may not relate to or otherwise comprise Confidential Information or trade secrets, as defined by applicable law) that Executive created, used, possessed or maintained while working for the Bank from whatever source and whenever created, including all reproductions or excerpts thereof.

 

(c)          During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive agrees not to, directly or indirectly, in the Territory, contact, solicit, divert, appropriate, or call upon, the customers, clients or tangible prospects (prospects recorded on a report by the Executive or the Bank either electronically or not) of the Bank, (i) to solicit such customers or clients or prospective customers or clients for a Competitive Business (including, without limitation, any Competitive Business started by Executive) or (ii) to otherwise encourage any such customer or client or prospective customer or client to discontinue, reduce, or adversely alter the amount of its business with the Bank, Executive acknowledges that, due to Executive’s relationship with the Bank, Executive will develop, or has developed, direct or indirect reports to Executive will develop, or have developed, special contacts and relationships with the Bank’s customers, clients and prospects, and that it would be unfair and harmful to the Bank if Executive took advantage of these relationships.

 

(d)          During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly : (i) solicit, recruit, or hire (or attempt to solicit, recruit, or hire) or otherwise assist anyone in soliciting, recruiting, or hiring, any employee or independent contractor (which shall not include non-exclusive outside vendors) of the Bank who performed work for the Bank within the last six (6) months of Executive’s employment with the Bank or who was otherwise engaged or employed with the Bank at the time of said termination of employment of Executive or (ii) otherwise encourage, solicit, or support any such employees or independent contractors to leave their employment or engagement with the Bank, in either case until such employee or contractor has been terminated or separated from the Bank for at least twelve (12) months.

 

(e)          During the Employment Period and, unless (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Good Reason, for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, compete with the Bank, as an officer, director, member, principal, partner, shareholder (other than a shareholder in a company that is publicly traded and so long as such ownership is less than five percent (5%), owner, manager, supervisor, administrator, employee, consultant, or independent contractor, by working in the Territory for or as a Competitive Business in the Territory, in a capacity identical or substantially similar to the capacity in which Executive served at the Bank.

 

(f)           During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Bank agrees that it will not issue any statement (written or oral) that could reasonably be perceived as disparaging to the Executive. During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Executive agrees that he will not make any statement (written or oral) that could reasonably be perceived as disparaging to the Bank or any person or entity that he reasonably should know is an affiliate of the Bank.

 

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(g)          It is understood and agreed by Executive that the Bank and Executive have attempted to limit his right to compete only to the extent necessary to protect the Bank from unfair competition. It is acknowledged that the purpose of these covenants and promises is (and that they are necessary) to protect the Bank’s legitimate business interests, to protect the Bank’s investment in the overall development of its business and the good will of its customers, and to protect and retain (and to prevent Executive from unfairly and to the detriment of the Bank utilizing or taking advantage of) such business trade secrets and Confidential Information of the Bank and those substantial contacts and relationships (including those with customers and employees of the Bank) which Executive established due to his employment with the Bank. Therefore, in addition to any other remedies, Executive agrees that any violation of the covenants in this Section 7 result in the immediate forfeiture of any remaining payment that otherwise is or may become due under this Agreement, if applicable. Executive further agrees that should he breach any of the covenants contained in this Section 7, no further amounts will be paid to Executive pursuant hereto and Executive shall repay to the Bank any amounts previously received by Executive hereunder that are attributable to that portion of the payments paid for the period during which Executive was in breach of any of the covenants. The Bank and Executive agree that all remedies available to the Bank or Executive, as applicable, shall be cumulative. Executive acknowledges that these covenants and promises (and their respective time, geographic, and/or activity limitations) are reasonable and that said limitations are no greater than necessary to protect said legitimate business interests in light of Executive’s position with the Bank and the Bank’s business, and Executive agrees to strictly abide by the terms hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is ruled invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction because of a conflict between the provision and any applicable law or public policy, the provision shall be redrawn to make the provision consistent with, and valid and enforceable under, the law or public policy.

 

(h)          Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) nothing in this Agreement, including but not limited to the Release, or other agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress and any agency Inspector General (the “ Government Agencies ”), or communicating with Government Agencies or otherwise participating in any investigation or proceedings that may be conducted by Government Agencies, including providing documents or other information; (ii) Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Bank to take any action described in subsection (i), and Executive is not required to notify the Bank that he has taken any action described in subsection (i); and (iii) neither this Agreement nor any release signed by Executive limits Executive’s right to receive an award for providing information relating to a possible securities law violation to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further, notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal, state or local trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (1) is made (y) in confidence to a federal, state or local official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (z) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation or law; or (2) is made in a compliant or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Additionally, if Executive is suing the Bank for retaliation based on the reporting of a suspected violation, of law, he may disclose a trade secret to his attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, so long as any document containing the trade secret is filed under seal and Executive does not disclose the trade secret except pursuant to court order.

 

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(i)          The Bank or Executive shall have the right to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive relief with respect to the enforcement of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 7. This remedy shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights or remedies to which the Bank or Executive are or may be entitled at law or in equity respecting this Agreement.

 

8.           Mitigation; Exclusivity of Benefits.

 

(a)          The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any benefits hereunder by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any such benefits be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer after the Date of Termination or otherwise, except as set forth in Sections 5(e)(B) and 5(f)(B) above.

 

(b)          The specific arrangements referred to herein are not intended to exclude any other vested benefits which may be available to the Executive upon a termination of employment with the Bank pursuant to employee benefit plans of the Bank or the Corporation or otherwise.

 

9.           Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Bank hereunder to the Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax and other payroll deductions as the Bank shall determine are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

10.         Section 409A .

 

(a)          This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner so that any amount or benefit payable hereunder shall be paid or provided in a manner that is either exempt from or compliant with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder. Nevertheless, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed. Neither the Bank nor its directors, officers, employees, or advisers shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties, or other monetary amounts owed by the Executive as a result of the application of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding any provision in the Agreement to the contrary, to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of tax on the Executive under Section 409A of the Code, any payments that are otherwise payable to the Executive within the first six (6) months following the Date of Termination, shall be suspended and paid as soon as practicable following the end of the six-month period following the Date of Termination if, immediately prior to the Executive’s termination, the Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) of the Bank (or any related “service recipient” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder). Any payments suspended by operation of the foregoing sentence shall be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the end of such six-month period. Payments (or portions thereof) that would be paid latest in time during the six-month period will be suspended first.

 

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(c)          The Bank shall have the sole authority to make any accelerated distribution permissible under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) to the Executive of deferred amounts, provided that such distribution meets the requirements of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4).

 

11.         Legal Fees . If, after a Change in Control, it appears to Executive that (a) the Employer has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (b) the Employer or any other person (other than Executive) has taken any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or instituted any litigation or other legal action designed to deny, diminish, or to recover from Executive the benefits intended to be provided to Executive hereunder (including any payment pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement), the Employer irrevocably authorizes Executive from time to time to retain counsel of his choice, at the Employer’s expense, to represent Executive in connection with the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Employer or any of its affiliated companies or any director, officer, shareholder, or other person affiliated with the Employer. Executive shall give the Employer notice within ten (10) days after retaining any such counsel. The fees and expenses of counsel selected from time to time by Executive as provided in this Section 11 shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive by the Employer, whether suit or an arbitration proceeding has been brought or not. The Employer’s obligation to pay Executive’s legal fees provided by this Section 11 operates separately from and in addition to any legal fee reimbursement obligation the Employer has with Executive under any separate severance or other agreement.

 

12.         Assignability. The Bank may assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any corporation, bank or other entity with or into which the Bank may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which the Bank may transfer all or substantially all of its assets, if in any such case said corporation, bank or other entity shall by operation of law or expressly in writing assume all obligations of the Bank hereunder as fully as if it had been originally made a party hereto, but may not otherwise assign this Agreement or its rights and obligations hereunder. The Executive may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder.

 

13.         Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth below:

 

To the Bank: Secretary
  Home Bank, N.A.
  503 Kaliste Saloom
  Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
   
To the Executive: Jason Paul Freyou
  At the address last appearing on
  the personnel records of the Employer

 

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14.         Amendment; Waiver. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and such officer or officers as may be specifically designated by the Bank Board to sign on its behalf. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any breach by any other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.

 

15.         Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States where applicable and otherwise by the substantive laws of the State of Louisiana.

 

16.         Nature of Obligations. Nothing contained herein shall create or require the Bank to create a trust of any kind to fund any benefits which may be payable hereunder, and to the extent that the Executive acquires a right to receive benefits from the Bank hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Bank.

 

17.         Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

18.         Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

19.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

20.         Regulatory Actions and Prohibitions. The following provisions shall be controlling in the event of a conflict with any other provision of this Agreement, including without limitation Section 5 hereof.

 

(a)          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with Section 18(k) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1828(k)) and 12 C.F.R. Part 359 (collectively, the “ Golden Parachute Restrictions ”). In the event any such payments become due and payable under this Agreement at a time when such payments would constitute “golden parachute payments,” other than “golden parachute payments” for which the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency has been received as contemplated by the Golden Parachute Restrictions, the obligation on the part of the Employer to make any such payments shall become null and void.

 

(b)          If the Executive is suspended from office and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs pursuant to notice served under Section 8(e) or Section 8(g) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“ FDIA ”)(12 U.S.C. §§1818(e) and 1818(g)), the Bank shall have the right to suspend all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Bank shall reinstate prospectively (in whole or in part) any of its obligations which were suspended.

 

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(c)          If the Executive is removed from office and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e) or Section 8(g) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §§1818(e) and (g)), the Bank shall have the right to terminate all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement as of the effective date of such order, except for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(d)          If the Bank is in default, as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1813(x)(1)), all obligations under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default, but vested rights of the Executive and the Bank as of the date of termination shall not be affected.

 

(e)          All obligations under this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to 12 C.F.R. §563.39(b)(5), except to the extent that it is determined that continuation of the Agreement for the continued operation of the Bank is necessary: (i) by the Comptroller of the Currency, or his/her designee, at the time the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“ FDIC ”) enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority contained in Section 13(c) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1823(c)); or (ii) by the Comptroller of the Currency, or his/her designee, at the time the Comptroller of the Currency or his/her designee approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to operation of the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the Comptroller of the Currency to be in an unsafe or unsound condition, but vested rights of the Executive and the Employer as of the date of termination shall not be affected.

 

(f)           Any payments suspended by operation of this Section 20 shall be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days following receipt of the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency of the Bank or as otherwise directed by such federal banking agency.

 

(g)          All obligations under this Agreement are further subject to such conditions, restrictions, limitations and forfeiture provisions as may separately apply pursuant to any applicable state banking laws.

 

21.         Changes in Statutes or Regulations. If any statutory or regulatory provision referenced herein is subsequently changed or re-numbered, or is replaced by a separate provision, then the references in this Agreement to such statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a reference to such section as amended, re-numbered or replaced.

 

22.         Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein. All prior agreements between the Bank and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein, including but not limited to the Prior Agreement, are hereby superseded and shall have no force or effect.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

Attest:   HOME BANK, N.A.
       
/s/ Daniel G. Guidry   By: /s/ Michael P. Maraist
Daniel G. Guidry     Michael P. Maraist
Corporate Secretary     Chairman of the Board
     
    EXECUTIVE
       
    By: /s/ Jason Paul Freyou
      Jason Paul Freyou

 

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Exhibit 10.4

 

HOME BANK, N.A.
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of the 20 th day of May, 2019, between Home Bank, N.A. (the “ Bank ” or the “ Employer ”), a nationally chartered bank which is the wholly owned subsidiary of Home Bancorp, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”), and Darren E. Guidry (the “ Executive ”).

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is currently employed as the Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank, and the Executive and the Bank have previously entered into an amended and restated employment agreement dated March 28, 2011, as amended (the “ Prior Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS , the Board of Directors of the Bank (the “ Bank Board ”) has reviewed the Executive’s performance and has determined that it is in the Bank’s best interests to extend the term of the Bank’s employment agreement with the Executive;

 

WHEREAS , the Bank desires to assure itself of the continued availability of the Executive’s services as provided in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS , the Bank desires to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in order to make certain changes; and

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is willing to serve the Bank on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the Bank and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

 

1.            Definitions. The following words and terms shall have the meanings set forth below for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)            Annual Compensation. The Executive’s “Annual Compensation” for purposes of determining severance payable under this Agreement shall be deemed to mean the sum of (i) the annual rate of Base Salary as of the Date of Termination, and (ii) any Incentive Compensation or other cash bonus, if any, earned by the Executive for the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the Date of Termination occurs.

 

(b)           Base Salary. “Base Salary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

 

(c)           Cause. Termination of the Executive’s employment for “Cause” shall mean termination because of, as determined by Bank Board acting in good faith:

 

(i)          any act by Executive of fraud against, material misappropriation from, or material dishonesty to the Bank;

 

 

 

 

(ii)         conduct by Executive that amounts to willful misconduct, gross and willful insubordination, or gross neglect in the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder;

 

(iii)        Executive’s conviction of, indictment for (or its procedural equivalent), or entering of a guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to, a crime involving breach of trust or moral turpitude or any felony;

 

(iv)        receipt of any form of notice, written or otherwise, that any regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the Bank intends to institute any form of formal or informal regulatory action against Executive;

 

(v)         Executive’s removal and/or permanent prohibition from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(e) or (g);

 

(vi)        the exhibition of a standard of behavior within the scope of or related to his employment that is materially disruptive to the orderly conduct of the Bank’s business operations (including, without limitation, substance abuse or sexual harassment or sexual misconduct that violates federal or state law); or

 

(vii)       a material breach of the terms of this Agreement by Executive not cured by Executive within thirty (30) days of the date the Executive received the Notice of Termination, and, in the event Executive does not cure any such condition, the Bank terminates his employment within thirty (30) days after the period for curing the condition has expired. If the Executive remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Cause shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition; provided, that the Executive shall not have the opportunity to cure if the breach is not susceptible to being cured or such an opportunity would otherwise conflict with applicable federal or state regulatory requirements;

 

provided, that the nature of any act, conduct, behavior, breach or other circumstances constituting Cause shall be set forth with reasonable particularity in a written notice to the Executive that states the facts upon which the Bank Board made such determination.

 

(d)           Change in Control. “Change in Control” shall mean a “change in the ownership of the corporation,” a “change in the effective control of the corporation,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5). For purposes of the preceding sentence, “the corporation” refers to the Corporation or the Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not be deemed to result in a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust), including but not limited to, an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code, sponsored or maintained by the Employer or any corporation controlled by the Employer; or (ii) any merger, consolidation, reorganization, share exchange or other transaction as to which the holders of the capital stock of the Employer before the transaction continue after the transaction to hold, directly or indirectly through a holding company or otherwise, shares of capital stock of the Employer (or other surviving company) representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the value or ordinary voting power to elect directors of the capital stock of the Employer (or other surviving company).

 

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(e)           Code. “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(f)            Competitive Business. “Competitive Business” shall mean an enterprise that is in the business of offering banking products and/or services, which services and/or products are similar or substantially identical to those offered by the Bank during Executive’s employment with the Bank.

 

(g)           Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, the date on which the Notice of Termination is given, and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in such Notice of Termination.

 

(h)           Effective Date. The Effective Date of this Agreement shall mean the date first written above.

 

(i)            Disability. “Disability” shall mean the Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer.

 

(j)            Good Reason. “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following conditions:

 

(i)          any material breach of this Agreement by the Bank, including without limitation any of the following: (A) a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary, (B) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities as prescribed in Section 2, or (C) any requirement that the Executive report to a corporate officer or employee of the Bank instead of reporting directly to the President and/or Chief Executive Officer, or

 

(ii)         any involuntary material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform his services under this Agreement for a period of more than 90 days;

 

provided, however, that prior to any termination of employment for Good Reason, the Executive must first provide written notice to the Bank within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the condition, describing the existence of such condition, and the Bank shall thereafter have the right to remedy the condition within thirty (30) days of the date the Bank received the written notice from the Executive. If the Bank remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Good Reason shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition. If the Bank does not remedy the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then the Executive may deliver a Notice of Termination for Good Reason at any time within sixty (60) days following the expiration of such cure period.

 

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(k)           Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of the Executive’s employment by the Bank for any reason, including without limitation for Cause or Disability, or by the Executive for any reason, including without limitation for Good Reason, shall be communicated by a written “Notice of Termination” to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a dated notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, (iii) specifies a Date of Termination, which shall be effective immediately if the Bank terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, and (iv) is given in the manner specified in Section 13 hereof.

 

(l)            Territory. “Territory” shall mean, to the extent the Bank carries on business therein, (i) Acadia, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans, St. Martin and St. Tammany Parishes, Louisiana, (ii) Adams and Warren Counties, Mississippi, and (iii) in the event that the Bank expands the geographic reach of its business to other parishes or counties, the definition of Territory shall expand to include such additional parishes or counties. In any such case, the Executive agrees to execute and deliver an amendment hereto adding the additional parishes or counties, upon payment to the Executive by the Bank of the sum of one hundred dollars ($100).

 

2.           Term of Employment and Duties.

 

(a)          The Bank hereby employs the Executive as the Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank, and the Executive hereby accepts said employment and agrees to render such services to the Bank on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be and remain in effect during the period beginning on the Effective Date of this Agreement and ending on the second anniversary of the Effective Date, plus such extensions, if any, as are provided pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof (the “ Employment Period ”).

 

(b)          At least thirty (30) days prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date and each anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter (the “ Renewal Date ”), the Bank Board shall consider and review (after taking into account all relevant factors, including the Executive’s performance hereunder) whether it is in the best interests of the Bank to extend the term of this Agreement. If the Bank Board determines that an extension of the term of this Agreement is in the best interests of the Bank, then the Bank Board may approve a one-year extension of the term of this Agreement effective as of the Renewal Date, in which case the term of this Agreement shall be extended for one additional year, unless the Executive gives written notice to the Employer of the Executive’s election not to extend the term, with such written notice to be given not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such Renewal Date. The Bank Board agrees to inform the Executive not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such Renewal Date as to whether or not the Bank Board elected to extend the term of this Agreement. If the Agreement is not extended as of any Renewal Date, then this Agreement shall terminate at the conclusion of its remaining term. References herein to the term of this Agreement shall refer both to the initial term and successive terms.

 

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(c)          Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Bank at any time from terminating the Executive’s employment as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer during the Employment Period for any reason, provided that the relative rights and obligations of the Bank and the Executive in the event of any such termination shall be determined under this Agreement.

 

(d)          During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall manage the lending origination operations of the Bank. The Executive shall report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. In addition, the Executive shall perform such executive services for the Bank as may be consistent with his titles and from time to time assigned to him by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank.

 

3.           Compensation and Benefits.

 

(a)          The Employer shall compensate and pay the Executive for his services during the term of this Agreement at a minimum base salary per year that is no less than the amount paid to Executive as of the Effective Date of this Agreement (“ Base Salary ”), which amount may be increased from time to time in such amounts as may be determined by the Bank Board and may not be decreased without the Executive’s express written consent. The Executive and the Bank acknowledge that a portion of the Base Salary may be paid by the Corporation for services rendered to the Corporation by the Executive, and the Executive and the Bank further acknowledge and agree that the combined Base Salary paid to the Executive each year by the Corporation and the Bank shall be the amount set forth above, as increased from time to time by the Bank Board.

 

(b)          Subject to applicable law, including any required regulatory approval, for each calendar year during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in an annual incentive bonus plan that by its terms provides financial awards that are no less in bonus value or greater in performance levels than plan terms offered to other senior executives of the Bank, with award opportunities approved from year to year by the Bank Board (“ Incentive Compensation ”). Threshold, target and maximum corporate performance levels shall be established by the Bank Board from year to year based on budget, earnings growth, profitability, asset quality, qualitative risk measures and such other performance metrics as the Bank Board reasonably may determine and shall be outlined in the specific award opportunity. The performance measures for any given year shall be set no later than December 31 st of the year preceding the performance year of Incentive Compensation eligibility. Entitlement to and payment of such Incentive Compensation is subject to the discretion and approval of the Bank Board. Any Incentive Compensation earned shall be payable no later than March 15 th of the year following the year in which the bonus is earned, in accordance with the Employer’s normal practices for the payment of short-term incentives. To be entitled to any payment of Incentive Compensation, Executive must be employed by the Employer on the last day of the applicable performance period. The payment of any Incentive Compensation shall be subject to any approvals or non-objections required by any regulator of the Employer, and the obligation to pay any such Incentive Compensation shall be rendered null and void to the extent the same is then prohibited by any applicable law or regulatory restriction.

 

(c)          Executive will be eligible to participate in any stock option plan, restricted stock or long-term equity incentive plans offered by the Corporation, similar to that offered to other senior executives on terms consistent with Executive’s position with the Corporation.

 

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(d)          Executive and Executive’s family shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under any health and welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Bank, to the extent applicable to similarly situated executives of the Bank and subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility requirements (including any required premium payments or other costs) therefore as may be prescribed by the Bank or set forth in the terms of such plans, practices, policies and programs from time to time.

 

(e)          During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in and receive the benefits of any pension or other retirement benefit plan, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, or other plans, benefits and privileges given to employees and executives of the Employer, to the extent commensurate with his then duties and responsibilities, as fixed by the Bank Board. The Bank shall not make any changes in any compensation or other plans, benefits or privileges which would adversely affect the Executive’s rights or benefits thereunder, unless such change occurs pursuant to a program applicable to all executive officers of the Bank and does not result in a proportionately greater adverse change in the rights of or benefits to the Executive as compared with any other executive officer of the Bank. Nothing paid to the Executive under any plan or arrangement presently in effect or made available in the future shall be deemed to be in lieu of the salary payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof.

 

(f)          Except as otherwise agreed between the Corporation and the Bank, the Executive’s compensation, benefits and severance set forth in this Agreement shall be paid by the Corporation and the Bank in the same proportion as the time and services actually expended by the Executive on the business of the Corporation and the business of the Bank, respectively, with any amounts paid by the Corporation to be credited towards the obligations of the Bank under this Agreement. For this purpose, the Executive shall maintain, and provide to the Bank on at least a monthly basis, documentation of the time and expenses expended by the Executive on the business of each of the Corporation and the Bank.

 

(g)          The Executive agrees to repay any compensation previously paid or otherwise made available to the Executive under this Agreement that is subject to recovery under any clawback or compensation recovery policy as may be adopted from time to time by the Employer or under any applicable law (including any rule of any exchange or service through which the securities of the Corporation are then traded), including, but not limited to, the following circumstances:

 

(i)          where such compensation was in excess of what should have been paid or made available because the determination of the amount due was based, in whole or in part, on materially inaccurate financial information of the Bank;

 

(ii)         where such compensation constitutes “excessive compensation” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. Part 30, Appendix A;

 

(iii)        where Executive has committed, is substantially responsible for, or has violated, the respective acts, omissions, conditions, or offenses outlined under 12 C.F.R. Section 359.4(a)(4); and

 

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(iv)        if the Bank becomes, and for so long as the Bank remains, subject to the provisions of 12 U.S.C. Section 1831o(f), where such compensation exceeds the restrictions imposed on the senior executive officers of such an institution.

 

Executive agrees to return within sixty (60) days, or within any earlier timeframe required by applicable law or any recoupment policy, any such compensation properly identified by the Bank by written notice. If Executive fails to return such compensation within the applicable time period, Executive agrees that the amount of such compensation may be deducted from any and all other compensation owed to Executive by the Bank. The provisions of this subsection shall be modified to the extent, and remain in effect for the period, required by applicable law.

 

4.           Expenses. The Employer shall reimburse the Executive or otherwise provide for or pay for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in furtherance of or in connection with the business of the Employer, including, but not by way of limitation, automobile expenses, traveling expenses, and all reasonable entertainment expenses (whether incurred at the Executive’s residence, while traveling or otherwise), subject to such reasonable documentation and policies as may be established by the Bank Board. If such expenses are paid in the first instance by the Executive, the Employer shall reimburse the Executive therefor. Such reimbursement shall be paid promptly by the Employer and in any event no later than March 15 th of the year immediately following the year in which such expenses were incurred.

 

5.           Termination.

 

(a)          The Bank shall have the right, at any time upon prior Notice of Termination, to terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, including without limitation termination for Cause or Disability, and the Executive shall have the right, upon prior Notice of Termination, to terminate his employment hereunder for any reason.

 

(b)          In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason, the Employer shall have no further obligations to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, except as provided in Section 5(e) or (f), other than for (i) payment of his Base Salary and any Incentive Compensation accrued but unpaid as of the Date of Termination, (ii) reimbursement of expenses incurred, but unpaid, as of the Date of Termination, and (iii) amounts otherwise due and payable pursuant to the terms then in effect under any compensatory plan or practice in which the Executive is then a participant (the “ Accrued Obligations ”). The Accrued Obligations shall be payable in accordance with the Employer’s regular payroll practices or the terms of such compensatory plan or practice, as applicable.

 

(c)          In the event that (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Disability, death or Good Reason, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination, other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(d)          In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of Disability or the Executive’s death during the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination, other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

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(e)          In the event that, outside of a Change in Control Window, (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for other than Cause, Disability or the Executive’s death or (ii) such employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Employer shall:

 

(A)         pay to the Executive, in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination, a cash severance amount equal to one (1) times his Base Salary, and

 

(B)         maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive’s full-time employment by another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this subparagraph (B)), at no cost to the Executive, the continued participation of the Executive and his dependents in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident insurance, and disability insurance offered by the Employer in which the Executive and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination, subject to compliance with Section 5(g) below.

 

(f)           In the event that within three (3) months prior to, concurrently with or twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (a “ Change in Control Window ”), (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for other than Cause, Disability or the Executive’s death or (ii) such employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Employer shall, subject to the provisions of Section 6 hereof, if applicable,

 

(A)         pay to the Executive, in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination (or if applicable, the later date of a Change in Control), a cash severance amount equal to two (2) times his Annual Compensation, and

 

(B)         maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) twenty-four (24) months after the Date of Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive’s full-time employment by another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this subparagraph (B)), at no cost to the Executive, the continued participation of the Executive and his dependents in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident insurance, and disability insurance offered by the Employer in which the Executive and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination, subject to compliance with Section 5(g) below.

 

(g)          Any insurance premiums payable by the Employer or any successors pursuant to this Section 5 shall be payable at such times and in such amounts (except that the Employer shall also pay any employee portion of the premiums) as if the Executive was still an employee of the Employer, subject to any increases in such amounts imposed by the insurance company or COBRA, and the amount of insurance premiums required to be paid by the Employer in any taxable year shall not affect the amount of insurance premiums required to be paid by the Employer in any other taxable year; provided, however, that if the Executive’s participation in any group insurance plan is barred, the Employer shall either arrange to provide the Executive with insurance benefits substantially similar to those which the Executive was entitled to receive under such group insurance plan or, if such coverage cannot be obtained, pay a lump sum cash equivalency amount within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination based on the annualized rate of premiums being paid by the Employer as of the Date of Termination.

 

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6.           Limitation of Benefits under Certain Circumstances.

 

(a)          If the payments and benefits pursuant to Section 5 hereof, either alone or together with other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right to receive from the Bank or the Corporation (“ Covered Payments ”), would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code (“ Parachute Payments ”), then the Covered Payments payable by the Bank shall be reduced by the minimum amount necessary so that no portion of the Covered Payments payable by the Bank will constitute a Parachute Payment; provided, however, that the foregoing reduction will be made only if and to the extent that such reduction would result in an increase in the aggregate Covered Payments to be provided, determined on an after-tax basis (taking into account the excise tax imposed pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code (the “ Excise Tax ”), any tax imposed by any comparable provision of state law, and any applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes). Whether requested by the Executive or the Employer, the determination of whether any reduction in such Covered Payments is required pursuant to the preceding sentence will be made at the expense of the Employer by independent accountants selected by the Corporation (the “ Accountants ”). In the event the Covered Payments are required to be reduced pursuant to this Section 6, the Covered Payments will be reduced by category in the following order: (i) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are subject to Section 409A of the Code; (ii) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code; (iii) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Covered Payments that are subject to Section 409A of the Code other than accelerated vesting of equity awards; (iv) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Covered Payments that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code other than accelerated vesting of equity awards; (v) cancellation of accelerated vesting of performance-based equity awards; and (vi) cancellation of accelerated vesting of service-based equity awards. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity award compensation is to be cancelled, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the order that most benefits the Executive. Within each other category, cash severance benefits and other Covered Payments will be reduced pro rata based on the portion of cash severance benefits or other Covered Payments with respect to the Covered Payments, in each case beginning with the cash severance benefits or other Covered Payments that would otherwise be made latest in time; provided that in no event shall the cash portion of the Covered Payments be less than the amount of federal and state income tax withholding owed by the Executive with respect to the Covered Payments. Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall result in a reduction of any payments or benefits to which the Executive may be entitled upon termination of employment under any circumstances other than as specified in this Section 6, or a reduction in the payments and benefits specified in Section 5 below zero.

 

(b)          Section 7 of this Agreement contains protective covenants of Executive to refrain from certain activities deemed harmful to the Employer for a set period of time in exchange for promises contained herein. If the Executive is deemed eligible to receive Covered Payments under this Agreement that could be subject to the Excise Tax, the Employer shall seek a valuation from the Accountants to determine the value of any such protective covenants and such amount shall be allocated to such arrangements and be excluded from treatment as a Parachute Payment. For the avoidance of doubt, it is the intention of this Agreement that the value assigned to any such protective covenants by the Accountants not be considered a Parachute Payment for purposes of this Section 6.

 

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(c)          Any determination required under this Section 6 shall be made in writing in good faith by the Accountants. The Employer and the Executive shall provide the Accountants with such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 6. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 6, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Accountants’ determinations shall be final and binding on the Employer and the Executive.

 

(d)          In the event that the provisions of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code or any successor provisions are repealed without succession, this Section 6 shall be of no further force or effect.

 

7.           Protective Covenants. The Executive shall abide by and be bound by the following protective covenants:

 

(a)          The Bank and Executive acknowledge that the Bank shall disclose during the Employment Period, or has already disclosed, to Executive for use in Executive’s employment, and that during the Employment Period Executive will be provided access to and otherwise make use of, acquire, create, or add to certain valuable, unique, proprietary, and secret information of the Bank (whether tangible or intangible and whether or not electronically kept or stored), including financial statements, drawings, designs, manuals, business plans, processes, procedures, formulas, inventions, pricing policies, customer and prospect lists and contacts, contracts, sources and identity of vendors and contractors, financial information of customers of the Bank, and other proprietary documents, materials, or information indigenous to the Bank, relating to its businesses and activities, or the manner in which the Bank does business, which is valuable to the Bank in conducting its business because the information is kept confidential and is not generally known to the Bank’s competitors or to the general public (the “ Confidential Information ”). Confidential Information does not include information generally known or easily obtained from public sources or public records, unless Executive causes the Confidential Information to become generally known or easily obtained from public sources or public records. To the extent that the Confidential Information rises to the level of a trade secret under applicable law, then Executive shall, during Executive’s employment and for so long as the Confidential Information remains a trade secret under applicable law (or for the maximum period of time otherwise allowed by applicable law) (i) protect and maintain the confidentiality of such trade secrets and (ii) refrain from disclosing, copying, or using any such trade secrets, without the Bank’s prior written consent, except as necessary in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties while employed with the Bank. To the extent that the Confidential Information does not rise to the level of a trade secret under applicable law, Executive shall, during Executive’s employment and for a period of two years following any voluntary or involuntary termination of employment, (i) protect and maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information and (ii) refrain from disclosing, copying, or using any Confidential Information without the Bank’s prior written consent, except as necessary in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties while employed with the Bank.

 

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(b)          Upon any voluntary or involuntary termination of Executive’s employment (or at any time upon request by the Bank), Executive agrees to immediately return to the Bank all property of the Bank (including, without limitation, all documents, electronic files, records, computer drives or disks or other tangible or intangible things that may or may not relate to or otherwise comprise Confidential Information or trade secrets, as defined by applicable law) that Executive created, used, possessed or maintained while working for the Bank from whatever source and whenever created, including all reproductions or excerpts thereof.

 

(c)          During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive agrees not to, directly or indirectly, in the Territory, contact, solicit, divert, appropriate, or call upon, the customers, clients or tangible prospects (prospects recorded on a report by the Executive or the Bank either electronically or not) of the Bank, (i) to solicit such customers or clients or prospective customers or clients for a Competitive Business (including, without limitation, any Competitive Business started by Executive) or (ii) to otherwise encourage any such customer or client or prospective customer or client to discontinue, reduce, or adversely alter the amount of its business with the Bank, Executive acknowledges that, due to Executive’s relationship with the Bank, Executive will develop, or has developed, direct or indirect reports to Executive will develop, or have developed, special contacts and relationships with the Bank’s customers, clients and prospects, and that it would be unfair and harmful to the Bank if Executive took advantage of these relationships.

 

(d)          During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly : (i) solicit, recruit, or hire (or attempt to solicit, recruit, or hire) or otherwise assist anyone in soliciting, recruiting, or hiring, any employee or independent contractor (which shall not include non-exclusive outside vendors) of the Bank who performed work for the Bank within the last six (6) months of Executive’s employment with the Bank or who was otherwise engaged or employed with the Bank at the time of said termination of employment of Executive or (ii) otherwise encourage, solicit, or support any such employees or independent contractors to leave their employment or engagement with the Bank, in either case until such employee or contractor has been terminated or separated from the Bank for at least twelve (12) months.

 

(e)          During the Employment Period and, unless (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Good Reason, for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, compete with the Bank, as an officer, director, member, principal, partner, shareholder (other than a shareholder in a company that is publicly traded and so long as such ownership is less than five percent (5%), owner, manager, supervisor, administrator, employee, consultant, or independent contractor, by working in the Territory for or as a Competitive Business in the Territory, in a capacity identical or substantially similar to the capacity in which Executive served at the Bank.

 

(f)           During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Bank agrees that it will not issue any statement (written or oral) that could reasonably be perceived as disparaging to the Executive. During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Executive agrees that he will not make any statement (written or oral) that could reasonably be perceived as disparaging to the Bank or any person or entity that he reasonably should know is an affiliate of the Bank.

 

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(g)          It is understood and agreed by Executive that the Bank and Executive have attempted to limit his right to compete only to the extent necessary to protect the Bank from unfair competition. It is acknowledged that the purpose of these covenants and promises is (and that they are necessary) to protect the Bank’s legitimate business interests, to protect the Bank’s investment in the overall development of its business and the good will of its customers, and to protect and retain (and to prevent Executive from unfairly and to the detriment of the Bank utilizing or taking advantage of) such business trade secrets and Confidential Information of the Bank and those substantial contacts and relationships (including those with customers and employees of the Bank) which Executive established due to his employment with the Bank. Therefore, in addition to any other remedies, Executive agrees that any violation of the covenants in this Section 7 result in the immediate forfeiture of any remaining payment that otherwise is or may become due under this Agreement, if applicable. Executive further agrees that should he breach any of the covenants contained in this Section 7, no further amounts will be paid to Executive pursuant hereto and Executive shall repay to the Bank any amounts previously received by Executive hereunder that are attributable to that portion of the payments paid for the period during which Executive was in breach of any of the covenants. The Bank and Executive agree that all remedies available to the Bank or Executive, as applicable, shall be cumulative. Executive acknowledges that these covenants and promises (and their respective time, geographic, and/or activity limitations) are reasonable and that said limitations are no greater than necessary to protect said legitimate business interests in light of Executive’s position with the Bank and the Bank’s business, and Executive agrees to strictly abide by the terms hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is ruled invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction because of a conflict between the provision and any applicable law or public policy, the provision shall be redrawn to make the provision consistent with, and valid and enforceable under, the law or public policy.

 

(h)          Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) nothing in this Agreement, including but not limited to the Release, or other agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress and any agency Inspector General (the “ Government Agencies ”), or communicating with Government Agencies or otherwise participating in any investigation or proceedings that may be conducted by Government Agencies, including providing documents or other information; (ii) Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Bank to take any action described in subsection (i), and Executive is not required to notify the Bank that he has taken any action described in subsection (i); and (iii) neither this Agreement nor any release signed by Executive limits Executive’s right to receive an award for providing information relating to a possible securities law violation to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further, notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal, state or local trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (1) is made (y) in confidence to a federal, state or local official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (z) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation or law; or (2) is made in a compliant or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Additionally, if Executive is suing the Bank for retaliation based on the reporting of a suspected violation, of law, he may disclose a trade secret to his attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, so long as any document containing the trade secret is filed under seal and Executive does not disclose the trade secret except pursuant to court order.

 

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(i)          The Bank or Executive shall have the right to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive relief with respect to the enforcement of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 7. This remedy shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights or remedies to which the Bank or Executive are or may be entitled at law or in equity respecting this Agreement.

 

8.           Mitigation; Exclusivity of Benefits.

 

(a)          The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any benefits hereunder by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any such benefits be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer after the Date of Termination or otherwise, except as set forth in Sections 5(e)(B) and 5(f)(B) above.

 

(b)          The specific arrangements referred to herein are not intended to exclude any other vested benefits which may be available to the Executive upon a termination of employment with the Bank pursuant to employee benefit plans of the Bank or the Corporation or otherwise.

 

9.           Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Bank hereunder to the Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax and other payroll deductions as the Bank shall determine are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

10.         Section 409A .

 

(a)          This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner so that any amount or benefit payable hereunder shall be paid or provided in a manner that is either exempt from or compliant with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder. Nevertheless, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed. Neither the Bank nor its directors, officers, employees, or advisers shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties, or other monetary amounts owed by the Executive as a result of the application of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding any provision in the Agreement to the contrary, to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of tax on the Executive under Section 409A of the Code, any payments that are otherwise payable to the Executive within the first six (6) months following the Date of Termination, shall be suspended and paid as soon as practicable following the end of the six-month period following the Date of Termination if, immediately prior to the Executive’s termination, the Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) of the Bank (or any related “service recipient” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder). Any payments suspended by operation of the foregoing sentence shall be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the end of such six-month period. Payments (or portions thereof) that would be paid latest in time during the six-month period will be suspended first.

 

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(c)          The Bank shall have the sole authority to make any accelerated distribution permissible under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) to the Executive of deferred amounts, provided that such distribution meets the requirements of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4).

 

11.         Legal Fees . If, after a Change in Control, it appears to Executive that (a) the Employer has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (b) the Employer or any other person (other than Executive) has taken any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or instituted any litigation or other legal action designed to deny, diminish, or to recover from Executive the benefits intended to be provided to Executive hereunder (including any payment pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement), the Employer irrevocably authorizes Executive from time to time to retain counsel of his choice, at the Employer’s expense, to represent Executive in connection with the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Employer or any of its affiliated companies or any director, officer, shareholder, or other person affiliated with the Employer. Executive shall give the Employer notice within ten (10) days after retaining any such counsel. The fees and expenses of counsel selected from time to time by Executive as provided in this Section 11 shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive by the Employer, whether suit or an arbitration proceeding has been brought or not. The Employer’s obligation to pay Executive’s legal fees provided by this Section 11 operates separately from and in addition to any legal fee reimbursement obligation the Employer has with Executive under any separate severance or other agreement.

 

12.         Assignability. The Bank may assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any corporation, bank or other entity with or into which the Bank may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which the Bank may transfer all or substantially all of its assets, if in any such case said corporation, bank or other entity shall by operation of law or expressly in writing assume all obligations of the Bank hereunder as fully as if it had been originally made a party hereto, but may not otherwise assign this Agreement or its rights and obligations hereunder. The Executive may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder.

 

13.         Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth below:

 

To the Bank: Secretary
  Home Bank, N.A.
  503 Kaliste Saloom
  Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
   
To the Executive: Darren E. Guidry
  At the address last appearing on
  the personnel records of the Employer

 

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14.         Amendment; Waiver. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and such officer or officers as may be specifically designated by the Bank Board to sign on its behalf. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any breach by any other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.

 

15.         Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States where applicable and otherwise by the substantive laws of the State of Louisiana.

 

16.         Nature of Obligations. Nothing contained herein shall create or require the Bank to create a trust of any kind to fund any benefits which may be payable hereunder, and to the extent that the Executive acquires a right to receive benefits from the Bank hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Bank.

 

17.         Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

18.         Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

19.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

20.         Regulatory Actions and Prohibitions. The following provisions shall be controlling in the event of a conflict with any other provision of this Agreement, including without limitation Section 5 hereof.

 

(a)          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with Section 18(k) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1828(k)) and 12 C.F.R. Part 359 (collectively, the “ Golden Parachute Restrictions ”). In the event any such payments become due and payable under this Agreement at a time when such payments would constitute “golden parachute payments,” other than “golden parachute payments” for which the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency has been received as contemplated by the Golden Parachute Restrictions, the obligation on the part of the Employer to make any such payments shall become null and void.

 

(b)          If the Executive is suspended from office and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs pursuant to notice served under Section 8(e) or Section 8(g) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“ FDIA ”)(12 U.S.C. §§1818(e) and 1818(g)), the Bank shall have the right to suspend all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Bank shall reinstate prospectively (in whole or in part) any of its obligations which were suspended.

 

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(c)          If the Executive is removed from office and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e) or Section 8(g) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §§1818(e) and (g)), the Bank shall have the right to terminate all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement as of the effective date of such order, except for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(d)          If the Bank is in default, as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1813(x)(1)), all obligations under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default, but vested rights of the Executive and the Bank as of the date of termination shall not be affected.

 

(e)          All obligations under this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to 12 C.F.R. §563.39(b)(5), except to the extent that it is determined that continuation of the Agreement for the continued operation of the Bank is necessary: (i) by the Comptroller of the Currency, or his/her designee, at the time the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“ FDIC ”) enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority contained in Section 13(c) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1823(c)); or (ii) by the Comptroller of the Currency, or his/her designee, at the time the Comptroller of the Currency or his/her designee approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to operation of the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the Comptroller of the Currency to be in an unsafe or unsound condition, but vested rights of the Executive and the Employer as of the date of termination shall not be affected.

 

(f)          Any payments suspended by operation of this Section 20 shall be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days following receipt of the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency of the Bank or as otherwise directed by such federal banking agency.

 

(g)          All obligations under this Agreement are further subject to such conditions, restrictions, limitations and forfeiture provisions as may separately apply pursuant to any applicable state banking laws.

 

21.         Changes in Statutes or Regulations. If any statutory or regulatory provision referenced herein is subsequently changed or re-numbered, or is replaced by a separate provision, then the references in this Agreement to such statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a reference to such section as amended, re-numbered or replaced.

 

22.         Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein. All prior agreements between the Bank and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein, including but not limited to the Prior Agreement, are hereby superseded and shall have no force or effect.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

Attest:   HOME BANK, N.A.
       
/s/ Daniel G. Guidry   By: /s/ Michael P. Maraist
Daniel G. Guidry     Michael P. Maraist
Corporate Secretary     Chairman of the Board
     
    EXECUTIVE
       
    By: /s/ Darren E. Guidry
      Darren E. Guidry

 

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Exhibit 10.5

 

HOME BANK, N.A.
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of the 20th day of May, 2019, between Home Bank, N.A. (the “ Bank ” or the “ Employer ”), a nationally chartered bank which is the wholly owned subsidiary of Home Bancorp, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”), and Scott Andrew Ridley (the “ Executive ”).

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is currently employed as the Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer of the Bank, and the Executive and the Bank have previously entered into an employment agreement dated January 27, 2014, as amended (the “ Prior Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS , the Board of Directors of the Bank (the “ Bank Board ”) has reviewed the Executive’s performance and has determined that it is in the Bank’s best interests to extend the term of the Bank’s employment agreement with the Executive;

 

WHEREAS , the Bank desires to assure itself of the continued availability of the Executive’s services as provided in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS , the Bank desires to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in order to make certain changes; and

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is willing to serve the Bank on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the Bank and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

 

1.            Definitions. The following words and terms shall have the meanings set forth below for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)           Annual Compensation. The Executive’s “Annual Compensation” for purposes of determining severance payable under this Agreement shall be deemed to mean the sum of (i) the annual rate of Base Salary as of the Date of Termination, and (ii) any Incentive Compensation or other cash bonus, if any, earned by the Executive for the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the Date of Termination occurs.

 

(b)           Base Salary. “Base Salary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

 

(c)           Cause. Termination of the Executive’s employment for “Cause” shall mean termination because of, as determined by Bank Board acting in good faith:

 

(i)          any act by Executive of fraud against, material misappropriation from, or material dishonesty to the Bank;

 

 

 

 

(ii)         conduct by Executive that amounts to willful misconduct, gross and willful insubordination, or gross neglect in the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder;

 

(iii)        Executive’s conviction of, indictment for (or its procedural equivalent), or entering of a guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to, a crime involving breach of trust or moral turpitude or any felony;

 

(iv)        receipt of any form of notice, written or otherwise, that any regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the Bank intends to institute any form of formal or informal regulatory action against Executive;

 

(v)         Executive’s removal and/or permanent prohibition from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(e) or (g);

 

(vi)        the exhibition of a standard of behavior within the scope of or related to his employment that is materially disruptive to the orderly conduct of the Bank’s business operations (including, without limitation, substance abuse or sexual harassment or sexual misconduct that violates federal or state law); or

 

(vii)       a material breach of the terms of this Agreement by Executive not cured by Executive within thirty (30) days of the date the Executive received the Notice of Termination, and, in the event Executive does not cure any such condition, the Bank terminates his employment within thirty (30) days after the period for curing the condition has expired. If the Executive remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Cause shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition; provided, that the Executive shall not have the opportunity to cure if the breach is not susceptible to being cured or such an opportunity would otherwise conflict with applicable federal or state regulatory requirements;

 

provided, that the nature of any act, conduct, behavior, breach or other circumstances constituting Cause shall be set forth with reasonable particularity in a written notice to the Executive that states the facts upon which the Bank Board made such determination.

 

(d)           Change in Control. “Change in Control” shall mean a “change in the ownership of the corporation,” a “change in the effective control of the corporation,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5). For purposes of the preceding sentence, “the corporation” refers to the Corporation or the Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not be deemed to result in a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust), including but not limited to, an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code, sponsored or maintained by the Employer or any corporation controlled by the Employer; or (ii) any merger, consolidation, reorganization, share exchange or other transaction as to which the holders of the capital stock of the Employer before the transaction continue after the transaction to hold, directly or indirectly through a holding company or otherwise, shares of capital stock of the Employer (or other surviving company) representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the value or ordinary voting power to elect directors of the capital stock of the Employer (or other surviving company).

 

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(e)           Code. “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(f)           Competitive Business. “Competitive Business” shall mean an enterprise that is in the business of offering banking products and/or services, which services and/or products are similar or substantially identical to those offered by the Bank during Executive’s employment with the Bank.

 

(g)           Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, the date on which the Notice of Termination is given, and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in such Notice of Termination.

 

(h)           Effective Date. The Effective Date of this Agreement shall mean the date first written above.

 

(i)            Disability. “Disability” shall mean the Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer.

 

(j)            Good Reason. “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following conditions:

 

(i)          any material breach of this Agreement by the Bank, including without limitation any of the following: (A) a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary, (B) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities as prescribed in Section 2, or (C) any requirement that the Executive report to a corporate officer or employee of the Bank instead of reporting directly to the President and/or Chief Executive Officer, or

 

(ii)         any involuntary material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform his services under this Agreement for a period of more than 90 days;

 

provided, however, that prior to any termination of employment for Good Reason, the Executive must first provide written notice to the Bank within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the condition, describing the existence of such condition, and the Bank shall thereafter have the right to remedy the condition within thirty (30) days of the date the Bank received the written notice from the Executive. If the Bank remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Good Reason shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition. If the Bank does not remedy the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then the Executive may deliver a Notice of Termination for Good Reason at any time within sixty (60) days following the expiration of such cure period.

 

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(k)           Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of the Executive’s employment by the Bank for any reason, including without limitation for Cause or Disability, or by the Executive for any reason, including without limitation for Good Reason, shall be communicated by a written “Notice of Termination” to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a dated notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, (iii) specifies a Date of Termination, which shall be effective immediately if the Bank terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, and (iv) is given in the manner specified in Section 13 hereof.

 

(l)            Territory. “Territory” shall mean, to the extent the Bank carries on business therein, (i) Acadia, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans, St. Martin and St. Tammany Parishes, Louisiana, (ii) Adams and Warren Counties, Mississippi, and (iii) in the event that the Bank expands the geographic reach of its business to other parishes or counties, the definition of Territory shall expand to include such additional parishes or counties. In any such case, the Executive agrees to execute and deliver an amendment hereto adding the additional parishes or counties, upon payment to the Executive by the Bank of the sum of one hundred dollars ($100).

 

2.           Term of Employment and Duties.

 

(a)          The Bank hereby employs the Executive as the Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer of the Bank, and the Executive hereby accepts said employment and agrees to render such services to the Bank on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be and remain in effect during the period beginning on the Effective Date of this Agreement and ending on the second anniversary of the Effective Date, plus such extensions, if any, as are provided pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof (the “ Employment Period ”).

 

(b)          At least thirty (30) days prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date and each anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter (the “ Renewal Date ”), the Bank Board shall consider and review (after taking into account all relevant factors, including the Executive’s performance hereunder) whether it is in the best interests of the Bank to extend the term of this Agreement. If the Bank Board determines that an extension of the term of this Agreement is in the best interests of the Bank, then the Bank Board may approve a one-year extension of the term of this Agreement effective as of the Renewal Date, in which case the term of this Agreement shall be extended for one additional year, unless the Executive gives written notice to the Employer of the Executive’s election not to extend the term, with such written notice to be given not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such Renewal Date. The Bank Board agrees to inform the Executive not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such Renewal Date as to whether or not the Bank Board elected to extend the term of this Agreement. If the Agreement is not extended as of any Renewal Date, then this Agreement shall terminate at the conclusion of its remaining term. References herein to the term of this Agreement shall refer both to the initial term and successive terms.

 

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(c)          Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Bank at any time from terminating the Executive’s employment as Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer during the Employment Period for any reason, provided that the relative rights and obligations of the Bank and the Executive in the event of any such termination shall be determined under this Agreement.

 

(d)          During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall manage the sales of products and services of the Bank. The Executive shall report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. In addition, the Executive shall perform such executive services for the Bank as may be consistent with his titles and from time to time assigned to him by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank.

 

3.           Compensation and Benefits.

 

(a)          The Employer shall compensate and pay the Executive for his services during the term of this Agreement at a minimum base salary per year that is no less than the amount paid to Executive as of the Effective Date of this Agreement (“ Base Salary ”), which amount may be increased from time to time in such amounts as may be determined by the Bank Board and may not be decreased without the Executive’s express written consent. The Executive and the Bank acknowledge that a portion of the Base Salary may be paid by the Corporation for services rendered to the Corporation by the Executive, and the Executive and the Bank further acknowledge and agree that the combined Base Salary paid to the Executive each year by the Corporation and the Bank shall be the amount set forth above, as increased from time to time by the Bank Board.

 

(b)          Subject to applicable law, including any required regulatory approval, for each calendar year during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in an annual incentive bonus plan that by its terms provides financial awards that are no less in bonus value or greater in performance levels than plan terms offered to other senior executives of the Bank, with award opportunities approved from year to year by the Bank Board (“ Incentive Compensation ”). Threshold, target and maximum corporate performance levels shall be established by the Bank Board from year to year based on budget, earnings growth, profitability, asset quality, qualitative risk measures and such other performance metrics as the Bank Board reasonably may determine and shall be outlined in the specific award opportunity. The performance measures for any given year shall be set no later than December 31 st of the year preceding the performance year of Incentive Compensation eligibility. Entitlement to and payment of such Incentive Compensation is subject to the discretion and approval of the Bank Board. Any Incentive Compensation earned shall be payable no later than March 15 th of the year following the year in which the bonus is earned, in accordance with the Employer’s normal practices for the payment of short-term incentives. To be entitled to any payment of Incentive Compensation, Executive must be employed by the Employer on the last day of the applicable performance period. The payment of any Incentive Compensation shall be subject to any approvals or non-objections required by any regulator of the Employer, and the obligation to pay any such Incentive Compensation shall be rendered null and void to the extent the same is then prohibited by any applicable law or regulatory restriction.

 

(c)          Executive will be eligible to participate in any stock option plan, restricted stock or long-term equity incentive plans offered by the Corporation, similar to that offered to other senior executives on terms consistent with Executive’s position with the Corporation.

 

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(d)          Executive and Executive’s family shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under any health and welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Bank, to the extent applicable to similarly situated executives of the Bank and subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility requirements (including any required premium payments or other costs) therefore as may be prescribed by the Bank or set forth in the terms of such plans, practices, policies and programs from time to time.

 

(e)          During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in and receive the benefits of any pension or other retirement benefit plan, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, or other plans, benefits and privileges given to employees and executives of the Employer, to the extent commensurate with his then duties and responsibilities, as fixed by the Bank Board. The Bank shall not make any changes in any compensation or other plans, benefits or privileges which would adversely affect the Executive’s rights or benefits thereunder, unless such change occurs pursuant to a program applicable to all executive officers of the Bank and does not result in a proportionately greater adverse change in the rights of or benefits to the Executive as compared with any other executive officer of the Bank. Nothing paid to the Executive under any plan or arrangement presently in effect or made available in the future shall be deemed to be in lieu of the salary payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof.

 

(f)          Except as otherwise agreed between the Corporation and the Bank, the Executive’s compensation, benefits and severance set forth in this Agreement shall be paid by the Corporation and the Bank in the same proportion as the time and services actually expended by the Executive on the business of the Corporation and the business of the Bank, respectively, with any amounts paid by the Corporation to be credited towards the obligations of the Bank under this Agreement. For this purpose, the Executive shall maintain, and provide to the Bank on at least a monthly basis, documentation of the time and expenses expended by the Executive on the business of each of the Corporation and the Bank.

 

(g)          The Executive agrees to repay any compensation previously paid or otherwise made available to the Executive under this Agreement that is subject to recovery under any clawback or compensation recovery policy as may be adopted from time to time by the Employer or under any applicable law (including any rule of any exchange or service through which the securities of the Corporation are then traded), including, but not limited to, the following circumstances:

 

(i)          where such compensation was in excess of what should have been paid or made available because the determination of the amount due was based, in whole or in part, on materially inaccurate financial information of the Bank;

 

(ii)         where such compensation constitutes “excessive compensation” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. Part 30, Appendix A;

 

(iii)        where Executive has committed, is substantially responsible for, or has violated, the respective acts, omissions, conditions, or offenses outlined under 12 C.F.R. Section 359.4(a)(4); and

 

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(iv)        if the Bank becomes, and for so long as the Bank remains, subject to the provisions of 12 U.S.C. Section 1831o(f), where such compensation exceeds the restrictions imposed on the senior executive officers of such an institution.

 

Executive agrees to return within sixty (60) days, or within any earlier timeframe required by applicable law or any recoupment policy, any such compensation properly identified by the Bank by written notice. If Executive fails to return such compensation within the applicable time period, Executive agrees that the amount of such compensation may be deducted from any and all other compensation owed to Executive by the Bank. The provisions of this subsection shall be modified to the extent, and remain in effect for the period, required by applicable law.

 

4.            Expenses. The Employer shall reimburse the Executive or otherwise provide for or pay for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in furtherance of or in connection with the business of the Employer, including, but not by way of limitation, automobile expenses, traveling expenses, and all reasonable entertainment expenses (whether incurred at the Executive’s residence, while traveling or otherwise), subject to such reasonable documentation and policies as may be established by the Bank Board. If such expenses are paid in the first instance by the Executive, the Employer shall reimburse the Executive therefor. Such reimbursement shall be paid promptly by the Employer and in any event no later than March 15 th of the year immediately following the year in which such expenses were incurred.

 

5.            Termination.

 

(a)          The Bank shall have the right, at any time upon prior Notice of Termination, to terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, including without limitation termination for Cause or Disability, and the Executive shall have the right, upon prior Notice of Termination, to terminate his employment hereunder for any reason.

 

(b)          In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason, the Employer shall have no further obligations to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, except as provided in Section 5(e) or (f), other than for (i) payment of his Base Salary and any Incentive Compensation accrued but unpaid as of the Date of Termination, (ii) reimbursement of expenses incurred, but unpaid, as of the Date of Termination, and (iii) amounts otherwise due and payable pursuant to the terms then in effect under any compensatory plan or practice in which the Executive is then a participant (the “ Accrued Obligations ”). The Accrued Obligations shall be payable in accordance with the Employer’s regular payroll practices or the terms of such compensatory plan or practice, as applicable.

 

(c)          In the event that (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Disability, death or Good Reason, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination, other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(d)          In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of Disability or the Executive’s death during the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination, other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

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(e)          In the event that, outside of a Change in Control Window, (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for other than Cause, Disability or the Executive’s death or (ii) such employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Employer shall:

 

(A)         pay to the Executive, in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination, a cash severance amount equal to one (1) times his Base Salary, and

 

(B)         maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive’s full-time employment by another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this subparagraph (B)), at no cost to the Executive, the continued participation of the Executive and his dependents in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident insurance, and disability insurance offered by the Employer in which the Executive and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination, subject to compliance with Section 5(g) below.

 

(f)           In the event that within three (3) months prior to, concurrently with or twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (a “ Change in Control Window ”), (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for other than Cause, Disability or the Executive’s death or (ii) such employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Employer shall, subject to the provisions of Section 6 hereof, if applicable,

 

(A)         pay to the Executive, in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination (or if applicable, the later date of a Change in Control), a cash severance amount equal to two (2) times his Annual Compensation, and

 

(B)         maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) twenty-four (24) months after the Date of Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive’s full-time employment by another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this subparagraph (B)), at no cost to the Executive, the continued participation of the Executive and his dependents in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident insurance, and disability insurance offered by the Employer in which the Executive and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination, subject to compliance with Section 5(g) below.

 

(g)          Any insurance premiums payable by the Employer or any successors pursuant to this Section 5 shall be payable at such times and in such amounts (except that the Employer shall also pay any employee portion of the premiums) as if the Executive was still an employee of the Employer, subject to any increases in such amounts imposed by the insurance company or COBRA, and the amount of insurance premiums required to be paid by the Employer in any taxable year shall not affect the amount of insurance premiums required to be paid by the Employer in any other taxable year; provided, however, that if the Executive’s participation in any group insurance plan is barred, the Employer shall either arrange to provide the Executive with insurance benefits substantially similar to those which the Executive was entitled to receive under such group insurance plan or, if such coverage cannot be obtained, pay a lump sum cash equivalency amount within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination based on the annualized rate of premiums being paid by the Employer as of the Date of Termination.

 

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6.           Limitation of Benefits under Certain Circumstances.

 

(a)          If the payments and benefits pursuant to Section 5 hereof, either alone or together with other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right to receive from the Bank or the Corporation (“ Covered Payments ”), would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code (“ Parachute Payments ”), then the Covered Payments payable by the Bank shall be reduced by the minimum amount necessary so that no portion of the Covered Payments payable by the Bank will constitute a Parachute Payment; provided, however, that the foregoing reduction will be made only if and to the extent that such reduction would result in an increase in the aggregate Covered Payments to be provided, determined on an after-tax basis (taking into account the excise tax imposed pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code (the “ Excise Tax ”), any tax imposed by any comparable provision of state law, and any applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes). Whether requested by the Executive or the Employer, the determination of whether any reduction in such Covered Payments is required pursuant to the preceding sentence will be made at the expense of the Employer by independent accountants selected by the Corporation (the “ Accountants ”). In the event the Covered Payments are required to be reduced pursuant to this Section 6, the Covered Payments will be reduced by category in the following order: (i) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are subject to Section 409A of the Code; (ii) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code; (iii) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Covered Payments that are subject to Section 409A of the Code other than accelerated vesting of equity awards; (iv) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Covered Payments that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code other than accelerated vesting of equity awards; (v) cancellation of accelerated vesting of performance-based equity awards; and (vi) cancellation of accelerated vesting of service-based equity awards. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity award compensation is to be cancelled, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the order that most benefits the Executive. Within each other category, cash severance benefits and other Covered Payments will be reduced pro rata based on the portion of cash severance benefits or other Covered Payments with respect to the Covered Payments, in each case beginning with the cash severance benefits or other Covered Payments that would otherwise be made latest in time; provided that in no event shall the cash portion of the Covered Payments be less than the amount of federal and state income tax withholding owed by the Executive with respect to the Covered Payments. Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall result in a reduction of any payments or benefits to which the Executive may be entitled upon termination of employment under any circumstances other than as specified in this Section 6, or a reduction in the payments and benefits specified in Section 5 below zero.

 

(b)          Section 7 of this Agreement contains protective covenants of Executive to refrain from certain activities deemed harmful to the Employer for a set period of time in exchange for promises contained herein. If the Executive is deemed eligible to receive Covered Payments under this Agreement that could be subject to the Excise Tax, the Employer shall seek a valuation from the Accountants to determine the value of any such protective covenants and such amount shall be allocated to such arrangements and be excluded from treatment as a Parachute Payment. For the avoidance of doubt, it is the intention of this Agreement that the value assigned to any such protective covenants by the Accountants not be considered a Parachute Payment for purposes of this Section 6.

 

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(c)          Any determination required under this Section 6 shall be made in writing in good faith by the Accountants. The Employer and the Executive shall provide the Accountants with such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 6. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 6, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Accountants’ determinations shall be final and binding on the Employer and the Executive.

 

(d)          In the event that the provisions of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code or any successor provisions are repealed without succession, this Section 6 shall be of no further force or effect.

 

7.           Protective Covenants. The Executive shall abide by and be bound by the following protective covenants:

 

(a)          The Bank and Executive acknowledge that the Bank shall disclose during the Employment Period, or has already disclosed, to Executive for use in Executive’s employment, and that during the Employment Period Executive will be provided access to and otherwise make use of, acquire, create, or add to certain valuable, unique, proprietary, and secret information of the Bank (whether tangible or intangible and whether or not electronically kept or stored), including financial statements, drawings, designs, manuals, business plans, processes, procedures, formulas, inventions, pricing policies, customer and prospect lists and contacts, contracts, sources and identity of vendors and contractors, financial information of customers of the Bank, and other proprietary documents, materials, or information indigenous to the Bank, relating to its businesses and activities, or the manner in which the Bank does business, which is valuable to the Bank in conducting its business because the information is kept confidential and is not generally known to the Bank’s competitors or to the general public (the “ Confidential Information ”). Confidential Information does not include information generally known or easily obtained from public sources or public records, unless Executive causes the Confidential Information to become generally known or easily obtained from public sources or public records. To the extent that the Confidential Information rises to the level of a trade secret under applicable law, then Executive shall, during Executive’s employment and for so long as the Confidential Information remains a trade secret under applicable law (or for the maximum period of time otherwise allowed by applicable law) (i) protect and maintain the confidentiality of such trade secrets and (ii) refrain from disclosing, copying, or using any such trade secrets, without the Bank’s prior written consent, except as necessary in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties while employed with the Bank. To the extent that the Confidential Information does not rise to the level of a trade secret under applicable law, Executive shall, during Executive’s employment and for a period of two years following any voluntary or involuntary termination of employment, (i) protect and maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information and (ii) refrain from disclosing, copying, or using any Confidential Information without the Bank’s prior written consent, except as necessary in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties while employed with the Bank.

 

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(b)          Upon any voluntary or involuntary termination of Executive’s employment (or at any time upon request by the Bank), Executive agrees to immediately return to the Bank all property of the Bank (including, without limitation, all documents, electronic files, records, computer drives or disks or other tangible or intangible things that may or may not relate to or otherwise comprise Confidential Information or trade secrets, as defined by applicable law) that Executive created, used, possessed or maintained while working for the Bank from whatever source and whenever created, including all reproductions or excerpts thereof.

 

(c)          During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive agrees not to, directly or indirectly, in the Territory, contact, solicit, divert, appropriate, or call upon, the customers, clients or tangible prospects (prospects recorded on a report by the Executive or the Bank either electronically or not) of the Bank, (i) to solicit such customers or clients or prospective customers or clients for a Competitive Business (including, without limitation, any Competitive Business started by Executive) or (ii) to otherwise encourage any such customer or client or prospective customer or client to discontinue, reduce, or adversely alter the amount of its business with the Bank, Executive acknowledges that, due to Executive’s relationship with the Bank, Executive will develop, or has developed, direct or indirect reports to Executive will develop, or have developed, special contacts and relationships with the Bank’s customers, clients and prospects, and that it would be unfair and harmful to the Bank if Executive took advantage of these relationships.

 

(d)          During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly : (i) solicit, recruit, or hire (or attempt to solicit, recruit, or hire) or otherwise assist anyone in soliciting, recruiting, or hiring, any employee or independent contractor (which shall not include non-exclusive outside vendors) of the Bank who performed work for the Bank within the last six (6) months of Executive’s employment with the Bank or who was otherwise engaged or employed with the Bank at the time of said termination of employment of Executive or (ii) otherwise encourage, solicit, or support any such employees or independent contractors to leave their employment or engagement with the Bank, in either case until such employee or contractor has been terminated or separated from the Bank for at least twelve (12) months.

 

(e)          During the Employment Period and, unless (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Good Reason, for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, compete with the Bank, as an officer, director, member, principal, partner, shareholder (other than a shareholder in a company that is publicly traded and so long as such ownership is less than five percent (5%), owner, manager, supervisor, administrator, employee, consultant, or independent contractor, by working in the Territory for or as a Competitive Business in the Territory, in a capacity identical or substantially similar to the capacity in which Executive served at the Bank.

 

(f)           During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Bank agrees that it will not issue any statement (written or oral) that could reasonably be perceived as disparaging to the Executive. During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Executive agrees that he will not make any statement (written or oral) that could reasonably be perceived as disparaging to the Bank or any person or entity that he reasonably should know is an affiliate of the Bank.

 

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(g)          It is understood and agreed by Executive that the Bank and Executive have attempted to limit his right to compete only to the extent necessary to protect the Bank from unfair competition. It is acknowledged that the purpose of these covenants and promises is (and that they are necessary) to protect the Bank’s legitimate business interests, to protect the Bank’s investment in the overall development of its business and the good will of its customers, and to protect and retain (and to prevent Executive from unfairly and to the detriment of the Bank utilizing or taking advantage of) such business trade secrets and Confidential Information of the Bank and those substantial contacts and relationships (including those with customers and employees of the Bank) which Executive established due to his employment with the Bank. Therefore, in addition to any other remedies, Executive agrees that any violation of the covenants in this Section 7 result in the immediate forfeiture of any remaining payment that otherwise is or may become due under this Agreement, if applicable. Executive further agrees that should he breach any of the covenants contained in this Section 7, no further amounts will be paid to Executive pursuant hereto and Executive shall repay to the Bank any amounts previously received by Executive hereunder that are attributable to that portion of the payments paid for the period during which Executive was in breach of any of the covenants. The Bank and Executive agree that all remedies available to the Bank or Executive, as applicable, shall be cumulative. Executive acknowledges that these covenants and promises (and their respective time, geographic, and/or activity limitations) are reasonable and that said limitations are no greater than necessary to protect said legitimate business interests in light of Executive’s position with the Bank and the Bank’s business, and Executive agrees to strictly abide by the terms hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is ruled invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction because of a conflict between the provision and any applicable law or public policy, the provision shall be redrawn to make the provision consistent with, and valid and enforceable under, the law or public policy.

 

(h)          Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) nothing in this Agreement, including but not limited to the Release, or other agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress and any agency Inspector General (the “ Government Agencies ”), or communicating with Government Agencies or otherwise participating in any investigation or proceedings that may be conducted by Government Agencies, including providing documents or other information; (ii) Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Bank to take any action described in subsection (i), and Executive is not required to notify the Bank that he has taken any action described in subsection (i); and (iii) neither this Agreement nor any release signed by Executive limits Executive’s right to receive an award for providing information relating to a possible securities law violation to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further, notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal, state or local trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (1) is made (y) in confidence to a federal, state or local official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (z) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation or law; or (2) is made in a compliant or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Additionally, if Executive is suing the Bank for retaliation based on the reporting of a suspected violation, of law, he may disclose a trade secret to his attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, so long as any document containing the trade secret is filed under seal and Executive does not disclose the trade secret except pursuant to court order.

 

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(i)          The Bank or Executive shall have the right to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive relief with respect to the enforcement of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 7. This remedy shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights or remedies to which the Bank or Executive are or may be entitled at law or in equity respecting this Agreement.

 

8.           Mitigation; Exclusivity of Benefits.

 

(a)          The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any benefits hereunder by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any such benefits be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer after the Date of Termination or otherwise, except as set forth in Sections 5(e)(B) and 5(f)(B) above.

 

(b)          The specific arrangements referred to herein are not intended to exclude any other vested benefits which may be available to the Executive upon a termination of employment with the Bank pursuant to employee benefit plans of the Bank or the Corporation or otherwise.

 

9.           Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Bank hereunder to the Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax and other payroll deductions as the Bank shall determine are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

10.         Section 409A .

 

(a)          This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner so that any amount or benefit payable hereunder shall be paid or provided in a manner that is either exempt from or compliant with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder. Nevertheless, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed. Neither the Bank nor its directors, officers, employees, or advisers shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties, or other monetary amounts owed by the Executive as a result of the application of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding any provision in the Agreement to the contrary, to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of tax on the Executive under Section 409A of the Code, any payments that are otherwise payable to the Executive within the first six (6) months following the Date of Termination, shall be suspended and paid as soon as practicable following the end of the six-month period following the Date of Termination if, immediately prior to the Executive’s termination, the Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) of the Bank (or any related “service recipient” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder). Any payments suspended by operation of the foregoing sentence shall be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the end of such six-month period. Payments (or portions thereof) that would be paid latest in time during the six-month period will be suspended first.

 

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(c)          The Bank shall have the sole authority to make any accelerated distribution permissible under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) to the Executive of deferred amounts, provided that such distribution meets the requirements of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4).

 

11.         Legal Fees . If, after a Change in Control, it appears to Executive that (a) the Employer has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (b) the Employer or any other person (other than Executive) has taken any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or instituted any litigation or other legal action designed to deny, diminish, or to recover from Executive the benefits intended to be provided to Executive hereunder (including any payment pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement), the Employer irrevocably authorizes Executive from time to time to retain counsel of his choice, at the Employer’s expense, to represent Executive in connection with the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Employer or any of its affiliated companies or any director, officer, shareholder, or other person affiliated with the Employer. Executive shall give the Employer notice within ten (10) days after retaining any such counsel. The fees and expenses of counsel selected from time to time by Executive as provided in this Section 11 shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive by the Employer, whether suit or an arbitration proceeding has been brought or not. The Employer’s obligation to pay Executive’s legal fees provided by this Section 11 operates separately from and in addition to any legal fee reimbursement obligation the Employer has with Executive under any separate severance or other agreement.

 

12.         Assignability. The Bank may assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any corporation, bank or other entity with or into which the Bank may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which the Bank may transfer all or substantially all of its assets, if in any such case said corporation, bank or other entity shall by operation of law or expressly in writing assume all obligations of the Bank hereunder as fully as if it had been originally made a party hereto, but may not otherwise assign this Agreement or its rights and obligations hereunder. The Executive may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder.

 

13.         Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth below:

 

To the Bank: Secretary
  Home Bank, N.A.
  503 Kaliste Saloom
  Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
   
To the Executive: Scott Andrew Ridley
  At the address last appearing on
  the personnel records of the Employer

 

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14.         Amendment; Waiver. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and such officer or officers as may be specifically designated by the Bank Board to sign on its behalf. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any breach by any other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.

 

15.         Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States where applicable and otherwise by the substantive laws of the State of Louisiana.

 

16.         Nature of Obligations. Nothing contained herein shall create or require the Bank to create a trust of any kind to fund any benefits which may be payable hereunder, and to the extent that the Executive acquires a right to receive benefits from the Bank hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Bank.

 

17.         Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

18.         Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

19.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

20.         Regulatory Actions and Prohibitions. The following provisions shall be controlling in the event of a conflict with any other provision of this Agreement, including without limitation Section 5 hereof.

 

(a)          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with Section 18(k) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1828(k)) and 12 C.F.R. Part 359 (collectively, the “ Golden Parachute Restrictions ”). In the event any such payments become due and payable under this Agreement at a time when such payments would constitute “golden parachute payments,” other than “golden parachute payments” for which the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency has been received as contemplated by the Golden Parachute Restrictions, the obligation on the part of the Employer to make any such payments shall become null and void.

 

(b)          If the Executive is suspended from office and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs pursuant to notice served under Section 8(e) or Section 8(g) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“ FDIA ”)(12 U.S.C. §§1818(e) and 1818(g)), the Bank shall have the right to suspend all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Bank shall reinstate prospectively (in whole or in part) any of its obligations which were suspended.

 

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(c)          If the Executive is removed from office and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e) or Section 8(g) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §§1818(e) and (g)), the Bank shall have the right to terminate all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement as of the effective date of such order, except for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(d)          If the Bank is in default, as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1813(x)(1)), all obligations under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default, but vested rights of the Executive and the Bank as of the date of termination shall not be affected.

 

(e)          All obligations under this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to 12 C.F.R. §563.39(b)(5), except to the extent that it is determined that continuation of the Agreement for the continued operation of the Bank is necessary: (i) by the Comptroller of the Currency, or his/her designee, at the time the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“ FDIC ”) enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority contained in Section 13(c) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1823(c)); or (ii) by the Comptroller of the Currency, or his/her designee, at the time the Comptroller of the Currency or his/her designee approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to operation of the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the Comptroller of the Currency to be in an unsafe or unsound condition, but vested rights of the Executive and the Employer as of the date of termination shall not be affected.

 

(f)          Any payments suspended by operation of this Section 20 shall be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days following receipt of the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency of the Bank or as otherwise directed by such federal banking agency.

 

(g)          All obligations under this Agreement are further subject to such conditions, restrictions, limitations and forfeiture provisions as may separately apply pursuant to any applicable state banking laws.

 

21.         Changes in Statutes or Regulations. If any statutory or regulatory provision referenced herein is subsequently changed or re-numbered, or is replaced by a separate provision, then the references in this Agreement to such statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a reference to such section as amended, re-numbered or replaced.

 

22.         Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein. All prior agreements between the Bank and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein, including but not limited to the Prior Agreement, are hereby superseded and shall have no force or effect.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

Attest:   HOME BANK, N.A.
       
/s/ Daniel G. Guidry   By: /s/ Michael P. Maraist
Daniel G. Guidry     Michael P. Maraist
Corporate Secretary     Chairman of the Board
     
    EXECUTIVE
       
    By: /s/ Scott Andrew Ridley
      Scott Andrew Ridley

 

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Exhibit 10.6

 

HOME BANK, N.A.
AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of the 20th day of May, 2019, between Home Bank, N.A. (the “ Bank ” or the “ Employer ”), a nationally chartered bank which is the wholly owned subsidiary of Home Bancorp, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”), and Joseph B. Zanco (the “ Executive ”).

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is currently employed as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank, and the Executive and the Bank have previously entered into an amended and restated employment agreement dated March 28, 2011, as amended (the “ Prior Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS , the Board of Directors of the Bank (the “ Bank Board ”) has reviewed the Executive’s performance and has determined that it is in the Bank’s best interests to extend the term of the Bank’s employment agreement with the Executive;

 

WHEREAS , the Bank desires to assure itself of the continued availability of the Executive’s services as provided in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS , the Bank desires to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in order to make certain changes; and

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is willing to serve the Bank on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the Bank and the Executive hereby agree as follows:

 

1.            Definitions. The following words and terms shall have the meanings set forth below for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)           Annual Compensation. The Executive’s “Annual Compensation” for purposes of determining severance payable under this Agreement shall be deemed to mean the sum of (i) the annual rate of Base Salary as of the Date of Termination, and (ii) any Incentive Compensation or other cash bonus, if any, earned by the Executive for the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the Date of Termination occurs.

 

(b)           Base Salary. “Base Salary” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

 

(c)           Cause. Termination of the Executive’s employment for “Cause” shall mean termination because of, as determined by Bank Board acting in good faith:

 

(i)          any act by Executive of fraud against, material misappropriation from, or material dishonesty to the Bank;

 

 

 

 

(ii)         conduct by Executive that amounts to willful misconduct, gross and willful insubordination, or gross neglect in the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder;

 

(iii)        Executive’s conviction of, indictment for (or its procedural equivalent), or entering of a guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to, a crime involving breach of trust or moral turpitude or any felony;

 

(iv)        receipt of any form of notice, written or otherwise, that any regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the Bank intends to institute any form of formal or informal regulatory action against Executive;

 

(v)         Executive’s removal and/or permanent prohibition from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(e) or (g);

 

(vi)        the exhibition of a standard of behavior within the scope of or related to his employment that is materially disruptive to the orderly conduct of the Bank’s business operations (including, without limitation, substance abuse or sexual harassment or sexual misconduct that violates federal or state law); or

 

(vii)       a material breach of the terms of this Agreement by Executive not cured by Executive within thirty (30) days of the date the Executive received the Notice of Termination, and, in the event Executive does not cure any such condition, the Bank terminates his employment within thirty (30) days after the period for curing the condition has expired. If the Executive remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Cause shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition; provided, that the Executive shall not have the opportunity to cure if the breach is not susceptible to being cured or such an opportunity would otherwise conflict with applicable federal or state regulatory requirements;

 

provided, that the nature of any act, conduct, behavior, breach or other circumstances constituting Cause shall be set forth with reasonable particularity in a written notice to the Executive that states the facts upon which the Bank Board made such determination.

 

(d)           Change in Control. “Change in Control” shall mean a “change in the ownership of the corporation,” a “change in the effective control of the corporation,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5). For purposes of the preceding sentence, “the corporation” refers to the Corporation or the Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not be deemed to result in a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust), including but not limited to, an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code, sponsored or maintained by the Employer or any corporation controlled by the Employer; or (ii) any merger, consolidation, reorganization, share exchange or other transaction as to which the holders of the capital stock of the Employer before the transaction continue after the transaction to hold, directly or indirectly through a holding company or otherwise, shares of capital stock of the Employer (or other surviving company) representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the value or ordinary voting power to elect directors of the capital stock of the Employer (or other surviving company).

 

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(e)           Code. “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(f)            Competitive Business. “Competitive Business” shall mean an enterprise that is in the business of offering banking products and/or services, which services and/or products are similar or substantially identical to those offered by the Bank during Executive’s employment with the Bank.

 

(g)           Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, the date on which the Notice of Termination is given, and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in such Notice of Termination.

 

(h)           Effective Date. The Effective Date of this Agreement shall mean the date first written above.

 

(i)            Disability. “Disability” shall mean the Executive (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer.

 

(j)            Good Reason. “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following conditions:

 

(i)          any material breach of this Agreement by the Bank, including without limitation any of the following: (A) a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary, (B) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities as prescribed in Section 2, or (C) any requirement that the Executive report to a corporate officer or employee of the Bank instead of reporting directly to the President and/or Chief Executive Officer, or

 

(ii)         any involuntary material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform his services under this Agreement for a period of more than 90 days;

 

provided, however, that prior to any termination of employment for Good Reason, the Executive must first provide written notice to the Bank within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the condition, describing the existence of such condition, and the Bank shall thereafter have the right to remedy the condition within thirty (30) days of the date the Bank received the written notice from the Executive. If the Bank remedies the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then no Good Reason shall be deemed to exist with respect to such condition. If the Bank does not remedy the condition within such thirty (30) day cure period, then the Executive may deliver a Notice of Termination for Good Reason at any time within sixty (60) days following the expiration of such cure period.

 

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(k)           Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of the Executive’s employment by the Bank for any reason, including without limitation for Cause or Disability, or by the Executive for any reason, including without limitation for Good Reason, shall be communicated by a written “Notice of Termination” to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a dated notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, (iii) specifies a Date of Termination, which shall be effective immediately if the Bank terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, and (iv) is given in the manner specified in Section 13 hereof.

 

(l)            Territory. “Territory” shall mean, to the extent the Bank carries on business therein, (i) Acadia, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans, St. Martin and St. Tammany Parishes, Louisiana, (ii) Adams and Warren Counties, Mississippi, and (iii) in the event that the Bank expands the geographic reach of its business to other parishes or counties, the definition of Territory shall expand to include such additional parishes or counties. In any such case, the Executive agrees to execute and deliver an amendment hereto adding the additional parishes or counties, upon payment to the Executive by the Bank of the sum of one hundred dollars ($100).

 

2.           Term of Employment and Duties.

 

(a)          The Bank hereby employs the Executive as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank, and the Executive hereby accepts said employment and agrees to render such services to the Bank on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be and remain in effect during the period beginning on the Effective Date of this Agreement and ending on the second anniversary of the Effective Date, plus such extensions, if any, as are provided pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof (the “ Employment Period ”).

 

(b)          At least thirty (30) days prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date and each anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter (the “ Renewal Date ”), the Bank Board shall consider and review (after taking into account all relevant factors, including the Executive’s performance hereunder) whether it is in the best interests of the Bank to extend the term of this Agreement. If the Bank Board determines that an extension of the term of this Agreement is in the best interests of the Bank, then the Bank Board may approve a one-year extension of the term of this Agreement effective as of the Renewal Date, in which case the term of this Agreement shall be extended for one additional year, unless the Executive gives written notice to the Employer of the Executive’s election not to extend the term, with such written notice to be given not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such Renewal Date. The Bank Board agrees to inform the Executive not less than thirty (30) days prior to any such Renewal Date as to whether or not the Bank Board elected to extend the term of this Agreement. If the Agreement is not extended as of any Renewal Date, then this Agreement shall terminate at the conclusion of its remaining term. References herein to the term of this Agreement shall refer both to the initial term and successive terms.

 

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(c)          Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Bank at any time from terminating the Executive’s employment as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer during the Employment Period for any reason, provided that the relative rights and obligations of the Bank and the Executive in the event of any such termination shall be determined under this Agreement.

 

(d)          During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall manage the financial operations of the Bank. The Executive shall report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. In addition, the Executive shall perform such executive services for the Bank as may be consistent with his titles and from time to time assigned to him by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank.

 

3.            Compensation and Benefits.

 

(a)          The Employer shall compensate and pay the Executive for his services during the term of this Agreement at a minimum base salary per year that is no less than the amount paid to Executive as of the Effective Date of this Agreement (“ Base Salary ”), which amount may be increased from time to time in such amounts as may be determined by the Bank Board and may not be decreased without the Executive’s express written consent. The Executive and the Bank acknowledge that a portion of the Base Salary may be paid by the Corporation for services rendered to the Corporation by the Executive, and the Executive and the Bank further acknowledge and agree that the combined Base Salary paid to the Executive each year by the Corporation and the Bank shall be the amount set forth above, as increased from time to time by the Bank Board.

 

(b)          Subject to applicable law, including any required regulatory approval, for each calendar year during the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in an annual incentive bonus plan that by its terms provides financial awards that are no less in bonus value or greater in performance levels than plan terms offered to other senior executives of the Bank, with award opportunities approved from year to year by the Bank Board (“ Incentive Compensation ”). Threshold, target and maximum corporate performance levels shall be established by the Bank Board from year to year based on budget, earnings growth, profitability, asset quality, qualitative risk measures and such other performance metrics as the Bank Board reasonably may determine and shall be outlined in the specific award opportunity. The performance measures for any given year shall be set no later than December 31 st of the year preceding the performance year of Incentive Compensation eligibility. Entitlement to and payment of such Incentive Compensation is subject to the discretion and approval of the Bank Board. Any Incentive Compensation earned shall be payable no later than March 15 th of the year following the year in which the bonus is earned, in accordance with the Employer’s normal practices for the payment of short-term incentives. To be entitled to any payment of Incentive Compensation, Executive must be employed by the Employer on the last day of the applicable performance period. The payment of any Incentive Compensation shall be subject to any approvals or non-objections required by any regulator of the Employer, and the obligation to pay any such Incentive Compensation shall be rendered null and void to the extent the same is then prohibited by any applicable law or regulatory restriction.

 

(c)          Executive will be eligible to participate in any stock option plan, restricted stock or long-term equity incentive plans offered by the Corporation, similar to that offered to other senior executives on terms consistent with Executive’s position with the Corporation.

 

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(d)          Executive and Executive’s family shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under any health and welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Bank, to the extent applicable to similarly situated executives of the Bank and subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility requirements (including any required premium payments or other costs) therefore as may be prescribed by the Bank or set forth in the terms of such plans, practices, policies and programs from time to time.

 

(e)          During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in and receive the benefits of any pension or other retirement benefit plan, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, or other plans, benefits and privileges given to employees and executives of the Employer, to the extent commensurate with his then duties and responsibilities, as fixed by the Bank Board. The Bank shall not make any changes in any compensation or other plans, benefits or privileges which would adversely affect the Executive’s rights or benefits thereunder, unless such change occurs pursuant to a program applicable to all executive officers of the Bank and does not result in a proportionately greater adverse change in the rights of or benefits to the Executive as compared with any other executive officer of the Bank. Nothing paid to the Executive under any plan or arrangement presently in effect or made available in the future shall be deemed to be in lieu of the salary payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof.

 

(f)          Except as otherwise agreed between the Corporation and the Bank, the Executive’s compensation, benefits and severance set forth in this Agreement shall be paid by the Corporation and the Bank in the same proportion as the time and services actually expended by the Executive on the business of the Corporation and the business of the Bank, respectively, with any amounts paid by the Corporation to be credited towards the obligations of the Bank under this Agreement. For this purpose, the Executive shall maintain, and provide to the Bank on at least a monthly basis, documentation of the time and expenses expended by the Executive on the business of each of the Corporation and the Bank.

 

(g)          The Executive agrees to repay any compensation previously paid or otherwise made available to the Executive under this Agreement that is subject to recovery under any clawback or compensation recovery policy as may be adopted from time to time by the Employer or under any applicable law (including any rule of any exchange or service through which the securities of the Corporation are then traded), including, but not limited to, the following circumstances:

 

(i)          where such compensation was in excess of what should have been paid or made available because the determination of the amount due was based, in whole or in part, on materially inaccurate financial information of the Bank;

 

(ii)         where such compensation constitutes “excessive compensation” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. Part 30, Appendix A;

 

(iii)        where Executive has committed, is substantially responsible for, or has violated, the respective acts, omissions, conditions, or offenses outlined under 12 C.F.R. Section 359.4(a)(4); and

 

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(iv)        if the Bank becomes, and for so long as the Bank remains, subject to the provisions of 12 U.S.C. Section 1831o(f), where such compensation exceeds the restrictions imposed on the senior executive officers of such an institution.

 

Executive agrees to return within sixty (60) days, or within any earlier timeframe required by applicable law or any recoupment policy, any such compensation properly identified by the Bank by written notice. If Executive fails to return such compensation within the applicable time period, Executive agrees that the amount of such compensation may be deducted from any and all other compensation owed to Executive by the Bank. The provisions of this subsection shall be modified to the extent, and remain in effect for the period, required by applicable law.

 

4.            Expenses. The Employer shall reimburse the Executive or otherwise provide for or pay for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in furtherance of or in connection with the business of the Employer, including, but not by way of limitation, automobile expenses, traveling expenses, and all reasonable entertainment expenses (whether incurred at the Executive’s residence, while traveling or otherwise), subject to such reasonable documentation and policies as may be established by the Bank Board. If such expenses are paid in the first instance by the Executive, the Employer shall reimburse the Executive therefor. Such reimbursement shall be paid promptly by the Employer and in any event no later than March 15 th of the year immediately following the year in which such expenses were incurred.

 

5.           Termination.

 

(a)          The Bank shall have the right, at any time upon prior Notice of Termination, to terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, including without limitation termination for Cause or Disability, and the Executive shall have the right, upon prior Notice of Termination, to terminate his employment hereunder for any reason.

 

(b)          In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason, the Employer shall have no further obligations to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, except as provided in Section 5(e) or (f), other than for (i) payment of his Base Salary and any Incentive Compensation accrued but unpaid as of the Date of Termination, (ii) reimbursement of expenses incurred, but unpaid, as of the Date of Termination, and (iii) amounts otherwise due and payable pursuant to the terms then in effect under any compensatory plan or practice in which the Executive is then a participant (the “ Accrued Obligations ”). The Accrued Obligations shall be payable in accordance with the Employer’s regular payroll practices or the terms of such compensatory plan or practice, as applicable.

 

(c)          In the event that (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Disability, death or Good Reason, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination, other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(d)          In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of Disability or the Executive’s death during the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall have no right pursuant to this Agreement to compensation or other benefits for any period after the applicable Date of Termination, other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

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(e)          In the event that, outside of a Change in Control Window, (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for other than Cause, Disability or the Executive’s death or (ii) such employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Employer shall:

 

(A)         pay to the Executive, in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination, a cash severance amount equal to one (1) times his Base Salary, and

 

(B)         maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive’s full-time employment by another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this subparagraph (B)), at no cost to the Executive, the continued participation of the Executive and his dependents in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident insurance, and disability insurance offered by the Employer in which the Executive and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination, subject to compliance with Section 5(g) below.

 

(f)          In the event that within three (3) months prior to, concurrently with or twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (a “ Change in Control Window ”), (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for other than Cause, Disability or the Executive’s death or (ii) such employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Employer shall, subject to the provisions of Section 6 hereof, if applicable,

 

(A)         pay to the Executive, in a lump sum as of the Date of Termination (or if applicable, the later date of a Change in Control), a cash severance amount equal to one (1) times his Annual Compensation, and

 

(B)         maintain and provide for a period ending at the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months after the Date of Termination or (ii) the date of the Executive’s full-time employment by another employer (provided that the Executive is entitled under the terms of such employment to benefits substantially similar to those described in this subparagraph (B)), at no cost to the Executive, the continued participation of the Executive and his dependents in all group insurance, life insurance, health and accident insurance, and disability insurance offered by the Employer in which the Executive and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination, subject to compliance with Section 5(g) below.

 

(g)          Any insurance premiums payable by the Employer or any successors pursuant to this Section 5 shall be payable at such times and in such amounts (except that the Employer shall also pay any employee portion of the premiums) as if the Executive was still an employee of the Employer, subject to any increases in such amounts imposed by the insurance company or COBRA, and the amount of insurance premiums required to be paid by the Employer in any taxable year shall not affect the amount of insurance premiums required to be paid by the Employer in any other taxable year; provided, however, that if the Executive’s participation in any group insurance plan is barred, the Employer shall either arrange to provide the Executive with insurance benefits substantially similar to those which the Executive was entitled to receive under such group insurance plan or, if such coverage cannot be obtained, pay a lump sum cash equivalency amount within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination based on the annualized rate of premiums being paid by the Employer as of the Date of Termination.

 

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6.            Limitation of Benefits under Certain Circumstances.

 

(a)          If the payments and benefits pursuant to Section 5 hereof, either alone or together with other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right to receive from the Bank or the Corporation (“ Covered Payments ”), would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code (“ Parachute Payments ”), then the Covered Payments payable by the Bank shall be reduced by the minimum amount necessary so that no portion of the Covered Payments payable by the Bank will constitute a Parachute Payment; provided, however, that the foregoing reduction will be made only if and to the extent that such reduction would result in an increase in the aggregate Covered Payments to be provided, determined on an after-tax basis (taking into account the excise tax imposed pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code (the “ Excise Tax ”), any tax imposed by any comparable provision of state law, and any applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes). Whether requested by the Executive or the Employer, the determination of whether any reduction in such Covered Payments is required pursuant to the preceding sentence will be made at the expense of the Employer by independent accountants selected by the Corporation (the “ Accountants ”). In the event the Covered Payments are required to be reduced pursuant to this Section 6, the Covered Payments will be reduced by category in the following order: (i) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are subject to Section 409A of the Code; (ii) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code; (iii) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Covered Payments that are subject to Section 409A of the Code other than accelerated vesting of equity awards; (iv) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Covered Payments that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code other than accelerated vesting of equity awards; (v) cancellation of accelerated vesting of performance-based equity awards; and (vi) cancellation of accelerated vesting of service-based equity awards. In the event that acceleration of vesting of equity award compensation is to be cancelled, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the order that most benefits the Executive. Within each other category, cash severance benefits and other Covered Payments will be reduced pro rata based on the portion of cash severance benefits or other Covered Payments with respect to the Covered Payments, in each case beginning with the cash severance benefits or other Covered Payments that would otherwise be made latest in time; provided that in no event shall the cash portion of the Covered Payments be less than the amount of federal and state income tax withholding owed by the Executive with respect to the Covered Payments. Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall result in a reduction of any payments or benefits to which the Executive may be entitled upon termination of employment under any circumstances other than as specified in this Section 6, or a reduction in the payments and benefits specified in Section 5 below zero.

 

(b)          Section 7 of this Agreement contains protective covenants of Executive to refrain from certain activities deemed harmful to the Employer for a set period of time in exchange for promises contained herein. If the Executive is deemed eligible to receive Covered Payments under this Agreement that could be subject to the Excise Tax, the Employer shall seek a valuation from the Accountants to determine the value of any such protective covenants and such amount shall be allocated to such arrangements and be excluded from treatment as a Parachute Payment. For the avoidance of doubt, it is the intention of this Agreement that the value assigned to any such protective covenants by the Accountants not be considered a Parachute Payment for purposes of this Section 6.

 

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(c)          Any determination required under this Section 6 shall be made in writing in good faith by the Accountants. The Employer and the Executive shall provide the Accountants with such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 6. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 6, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Accountants’ determinations shall be final and binding on the Employer and the Executive.

 

(d)          In the event that the provisions of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code or any successor provisions are repealed without succession, this Section 6 shall be of no further force or effect.

 

7.            Protective Covenants. The Executive shall abide by and be bound by the following protective covenants:

 

(a)          The Bank and Executive acknowledge that the Bank shall disclose during the Employment Period, or has already disclosed, to Executive for use in Executive’s employment, and that during the Employment Period Executive will be provided access to and otherwise make use of, acquire, create, or add to certain valuable, unique, proprietary, and secret information of the Bank (whether tangible or intangible and whether or not electronically kept or stored), including financial statements, drawings, designs, manuals, business plans, processes, procedures, formulas, inventions, pricing policies, customer and prospect lists and contacts, contracts, sources and identity of vendors and contractors, financial information of customers of the Bank, and other proprietary documents, materials, or information indigenous to the Bank, relating to its businesses and activities, or the manner in which the Bank does business, which is valuable to the Bank in conducting its business because the information is kept confidential and is not generally known to the Bank’s competitors or to the general public (the “ Confidential Information ”). Confidential Information does not include information generally known or easily obtained from public sources or public records, unless Executive causes the Confidential Information to become generally known or easily obtained from public sources or public records. To the extent that the Confidential Information rises to the level of a trade secret under applicable law, then Executive shall, during Executive’s employment and for so long as the Confidential Information remains a trade secret under applicable law (or for the maximum period of time otherwise allowed by applicable law) (i) protect and maintain the confidentiality of such trade secrets and (ii) refrain from disclosing, copying, or using any such trade secrets, without the Bank’s prior written consent, except as necessary in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties while employed with the Bank. To the extent that the Confidential Information does not rise to the level of a trade secret under applicable law, Executive shall, during Executive’s employment and for a period of two years following any voluntary or involuntary termination of employment, (i) protect and maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information and (ii) refrain from disclosing, copying, or using any Confidential Information without the Bank’s prior written consent, except as necessary in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties while employed with the Bank.

 

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(b)          Upon any voluntary or involuntary termination of Executive’s employment (or at any time upon request by the Bank), Executive agrees to immediately return to the Bank all property of the Bank (including, without limitation, all documents, electronic files, records, computer drives or disks or other tangible or intangible things that may or may not relate to or otherwise comprise Confidential Information or trade secrets, as defined by applicable law) that Executive created, used, possessed or maintained while working for the Bank from whatever source and whenever created, including all reproductions or excerpts thereof.

 

(c)          During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive agrees not to, directly or indirectly, in the Territory, contact, solicit, divert, appropriate, or call upon, the customers, clients or tangible prospects (prospects recorded on a report by the Executive or the Bank either electronically or not) of the Bank, (i) to solicit such customers or clients or prospective customers or clients for a Competitive Business (including, without limitation, any Competitive Business started by Executive) or (ii) to otherwise encourage any such customer or client or prospective customer or client to discontinue, reduce, or adversely alter the amount of its business with the Bank, Executive acknowledges that, due to Executive’s relationship with the Bank, Executive will develop, or has developed, direct or indirect reports to Executive will develop, or have developed, special contacts and relationships with the Bank’s customers, clients and prospects, and that it would be unfair and harmful to the Bank if Executive took advantage of these relationships.

 

(d)          During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly : (i) solicit, recruit, or hire (or attempt to solicit, recruit, or hire) or otherwise assist anyone in soliciting, recruiting, or hiring, any employee or independent contractor (which shall not include non-exclusive outside vendors) of the Bank who performed work for the Bank within the last six (6) months of Executive’s employment with the Bank or who was otherwise engaged or employed with the Bank at the time of said termination of employment of Executive or (ii) otherwise encourage, solicit, or support any such employees or independent contractors to leave their employment or engagement with the Bank, in either case until such employee or contractor has been terminated or separated from the Bank for at least twelve (12) months.

 

(e)          During the Employment Period and, unless (i) the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Bank for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment hereunder other than for Good Reason, for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, compete with the Bank, as an officer, director, member, principal, partner, shareholder (other than a shareholder in a company that is publicly traded and so long as such ownership is less than five percent (5%), owner, manager, supervisor, administrator, employee, consultant, or independent contractor, by working in the Territory for or as a Competitive Business in the Territory, in a capacity identical or substantially similar to the capacity in which Executive served at the Bank.

 

(f)          During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Bank agrees that it will not issue any statement (written or oral) that could reasonably be perceived as disparaging to the Executive. During the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, the Executive agrees that he will not make any statement (written or oral) that could reasonably be perceived as disparaging to the Bank or any person or entity that he reasonably should know is an affiliate of the Bank.

 

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(g)          It is understood and agreed by Executive that the Bank and Executive have attempted to limit his right to compete only to the extent necessary to protect the Bank from unfair competition. It is acknowledged that the purpose of these covenants and promises is (and that they are necessary) to protect the Bank’s legitimate business interests, to protect the Bank’s investment in the overall development of its business and the good will of its customers, and to protect and retain (and to prevent Executive from unfairly and to the detriment of the Bank utilizing or taking advantage of) such business trade secrets and Confidential Information of the Bank and those substantial contacts and relationships (including those with customers and employees of the Bank) which Executive established due to his employment with the Bank. Therefore, in addition to any other remedies, Executive agrees that any violation of the covenants in this Section 7 result in the immediate forfeiture of any remaining payment that otherwise is or may become due under this Agreement, if applicable. Executive further agrees that should he breach any of the covenants contained in this Section 7, no further amounts will be paid to Executive pursuant hereto and Executive shall repay to the Bank any amounts previously received by Executive hereunder that are attributable to that portion of the payments paid for the period during which Executive was in breach of any of the covenants. The Bank and Executive agree that all remedies available to the Bank or Executive, as applicable, shall be cumulative. Executive acknowledges that these covenants and promises (and their respective time, geographic, and/or activity limitations) are reasonable and that said limitations are no greater than necessary to protect said legitimate business interests in light of Executive’s position with the Bank and the Bank’s business, and Executive agrees to strictly abide by the terms hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is ruled invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction because of a conflict between the provision and any applicable law or public policy, the provision shall be redrawn to make the provision consistent with, and valid and enforceable under, the law or public policy.

 

(h)          Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) nothing in this Agreement, including but not limited to the Release, or other agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress and any agency Inspector General (the “ Government Agencies ”), or communicating with Government Agencies or otherwise participating in any investigation or proceedings that may be conducted by Government Agencies, including providing documents or other information; (ii) Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Bank to take any action described in subsection (i), and Executive is not required to notify the Bank that he has taken any action described in subsection (i); and (iii) neither this Agreement nor any release signed by Executive limits Executive’s right to receive an award for providing information relating to a possible securities law violation to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further, notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal, state or local trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (1) is made (y) in confidence to a federal, state or local official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (z) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation or law; or (2) is made in a compliant or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Additionally, if Executive is suing the Bank for retaliation based on the reporting of a suspected violation, of law, he may disclose a trade secret to his attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, so long as any document containing the trade secret is filed under seal and Executive does not disclose the trade secret except pursuant to court order.

 

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(i)          The Bank or Executive shall have the right to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive relief with respect to the enforcement of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 7. This remedy shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights or remedies to which the Bank or Executive are or may be entitled at law or in equity respecting this Agreement.

 

8.            Mitigation; Exclusivity of Benefits.

 

(a)          The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any benefits hereunder by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any such benefits be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer after the Date of Termination or otherwise, except as set forth in Sections 5(e)(B) and 5(f)(B) above.

 

(b)          The specific arrangements referred to herein are not intended to exclude any other vested benefits which may be available to the Executive upon a termination of employment with the Bank pursuant to employee benefit plans of the Bank or the Corporation or otherwise.

 

9.            Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Bank hereunder to the Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax and other payroll deductions as the Bank shall determine are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

10.         Section 409A .

 

(a)          This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner so that any amount or benefit payable hereunder shall be paid or provided in a manner that is either exempt from or compliant with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder. Nevertheless, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed. Neither the Bank nor its directors, officers, employees, or advisers shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties, or other monetary amounts owed by the Executive as a result of the application of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding any provision in the Agreement to the contrary, to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of tax on the Executive under Section 409A of the Code, any payments that are otherwise payable to the Executive within the first six (6) months following the Date of Termination, shall be suspended and paid as soon as practicable following the end of the six-month period following the Date of Termination if, immediately prior to the Executive’s termination, the Executive is determined to be a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) of the Bank (or any related “service recipient” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder). Any payments suspended by operation of the foregoing sentence shall be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the end of such six-month period. Payments (or portions thereof) that would be paid latest in time during the six-month period will be suspended first.

 

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(c)          The Bank shall have the sole authority to make any accelerated distribution permissible under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) to the Executive of deferred amounts, provided that such distribution meets the requirements of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4).

 

11.          Legal Fees . If, after a Change in Control, it appears to Executive that (a) the Employer has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (b) the Employer or any other person (other than Executive) has taken any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or instituted any litigation or other legal action designed to deny, diminish, or to recover from Executive the benefits intended to be provided to Executive hereunder (including any payment pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement), the Employer irrevocably authorizes Executive from time to time to retain counsel of his choice, at the Employer’s expense, to represent Executive in connection with the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Employer or any of its affiliated companies or any director, officer, shareholder, or other person affiliated with the Employer. Executive shall give the Employer notice within ten (10) days after retaining any such counsel. The fees and expenses of counsel selected from time to time by Executive as provided in this Section 11 shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive by the Employer, whether suit or an arbitration proceeding has been brought or not. The Employer’s obligation to pay Executive’s legal fees provided by this Section 11 operates separately from and in addition to any legal fee reimbursement obligation the Employer has with Executive under any separate severance or other agreement.

 

12.         Assignability. The Bank may assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder in whole, but not in part, to any corporation, bank or other entity with or into which the Bank may hereafter merge or consolidate or to which the Bank may transfer all or substantially all of its assets, if in any such case said corporation, bank or other entity shall by operation of law or expressly in writing assume all obligations of the Bank hereunder as fully as if it had been originally made a party hereto, but may not otherwise assign this Agreement or its rights and obligations hereunder. The Executive may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder.

 

13.         Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth below:

 

To the Bank: Secretary
  Home Bank, N.A.
  503 Kaliste Saloom
  Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
   
To the Executive: Joseph B. Zanco
  At the address last appearing on
  the personnel records of the Employer

 

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14.         Amendment; Waiver. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the Executive and such officer or officers as may be specifically designated by the Bank Board to sign on its behalf. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any breach by any other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.

 

15.         Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States where applicable and otherwise by the substantive laws of the State of Louisiana.

 

16.         Nature of Obligations. Nothing contained herein shall create or require the Bank to create a trust of any kind to fund any benefits which may be payable hereunder, and to the extent that the Executive acquires a right to receive benefits from the Bank hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Bank.

 

17.         Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

18.         Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

19.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

20.         Regulatory Actions and Prohibitions. The following provisions shall be controlling in the event of a conflict with any other provision of this Agreement, including without limitation Section 5 hereof.

 

(a)          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with Section 18(k) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1828(k)) and 12 C.F.R. Part 359 (collectively, the “ Golden Parachute Restrictions ”). In the event any such payments become due and payable under this Agreement at a time when such payments would constitute “golden parachute payments,” other than “golden parachute payments” for which the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency has been received as contemplated by the Golden Parachute Restrictions, the obligation on the part of the Employer to make any such payments shall become null and void.

 

(b)          If the Executive is suspended from office and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs pursuant to notice served under Section 8(e) or Section 8(g) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“ FDIA ”)(12 U.S.C. §§1818(e) and 1818(g)), the Bank shall have the right to suspend all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Bank shall reinstate prospectively (in whole or in part) any of its obligations which were suspended.

 

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(c)          If the Executive is removed from office and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e) or Section 8(g) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §§1818(e) and (g)), the Bank shall have the right to terminate all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement as of the effective date of such order, except for payment of the Accrued Obligations.

 

(d)          If the Bank is in default, as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1813(x)(1)), all obligations under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default, but vested rights of the Executive and the Bank as of the date of termination shall not be affected.

 

(e)          All obligations under this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to 12 C.F.R. §563.39(b)(5), except to the extent that it is determined that continuation of the Agreement for the continued operation of the Bank is necessary: (i) by the Comptroller of the Currency, or his/her designee, at the time the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“ FDIC ”) enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority contained in Section 13(c) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. §1823(c)); or (ii) by the Comptroller of the Currency, or his/her designee, at the time the Comptroller of the Currency or his/her designee approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to operation of the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the Comptroller of the Currency to be in an unsafe or unsound condition, but vested rights of the Executive and the Employer as of the date of termination shall not be affected.

 

(f)          Any payments suspended by operation of this Section 20 shall be paid as a lump sum within thirty (30) days following receipt of the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency of the Bank or as otherwise directed by such federal banking agency.

 

(g)          All obligations under this Agreement are further subject to such conditions, restrictions, limitations and forfeiture provisions as may separately apply pursuant to any applicable state banking laws.

 

21.         Changes in Statutes or Regulations. If any statutory or regulatory provision referenced herein is subsequently changed or re-numbered, or is replaced by a separate provision, then the references in this Agreement to such statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a reference to such section as amended, re-numbered or replaced.

 

22.         Entire Agreement. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein. All prior agreements between the Bank and the Executive with respect to the matters agreed to herein, including but not limited to the Prior Agreement, are hereby superseded and shall have no force or effect.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

Attest:   HOME BANK, N.A.
       
/s/ Daniel G. Guidry   By: /s/ Michael P. Maraist
Daniel G. Guidry     Michael P. Maraist
Corporate Secretary     Chairman of the Board
     
    EXECUTIVE
       
    By: /s/ Joseph B. Zanco
      Joseph B. Zanco

 

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Exhibit 10.7

 

HOME BANK, N.A.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is adopted effective as of the 20 th day of May, 2019, by and between HOME BANK N.A., a national bank located in Lafayette, Louisiana (the “Bank”), and JOHN W. BORDELON (the “Executive”).

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS, the Bank and the Executive previously entered into the Home Bank Salary Continuation Agreement effective as of August 1, 2007 (the “Prior Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Bank and the Executive may amend the Prior Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 thereof;

 

WHEREAS, the Bank and the Executive now desire to amend the Prior Agreement to (i) eliminate the pre-retirement death benefit and (ii) amend and restate the claims procedures;

 

WHEREAS, the purpose of this Agreement is to provide specified benefits to the Executive, a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees who contribute materially to the continued growth, development and future business success of the Bank; and this Agreement shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended from time to time; and

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement amends and restates and supersedes the Prior Agreement in its entirety.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the Bank and the Executive as follows:

 

 

 

 

Article 1
Definitions

 

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings specified:

 

1.1 Accrual Balance ” means the liability that should be accrued by the Bank, under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), for the Bank’s obligation to the Executive under this Agreement, by applying Accounting Principles Board Opinion Number 12 (“APB 12”) as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 106 (“FAS 106”) and the Discount Rate. Any one of a variety of amortization methods may be used to determine the Accrual Balance. However, once chosen, the method must be consistently applied.

 

1.2 Beneficiary ” means each designated person or entity, or the estate of the deceased Executive, entitled to any benefits upon the death of the Executive pursuant to Article 4.

 

1.3 Beneficiary Designation Form ” means the form established from time to time by the Plan Administrator that the Executive completes, signs and returns to the Plan Administrator to designate one or more Beneficiaries.

 

1.4 Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Bank as from time to time constituted.

 

1.5 Change in Control ” means a change in the ownership of the Bank, a change in the effective control of the Bank or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Bank, in each case as provided under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder, provided that any mutual to stock conversion of the Bank shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control, and provided further that following any mutual to stock conversion of the Bank, all references to the Bank in this Section 1.5 shall also include any holding company for the Bank formed in connection with such conversion.

 

1.6 Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all regulations and guidance thereunder, including such regulations and guidance as may be promulgated after the Effective Date.

 

1.7 Disability ” means the Executive: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees or directors of the Bank. Medical determination of Disability may be made by either the Social Security Administration or by the provider of disability insurance covering employees or directors of the Bank, provided that the definition of “disability” applied under such insurance program complies with the requirements of the preceding sentence. Upon the request of the Plan Administrator, the Executive must submit proof to the Plan Administrator of the Social Security Administration’s or the provider’s determination.

 

1.8 Discount Rate ” means the rate used by the Plan Administrator for determining the Accrual Balance. The initial Discount Rate is six percent (6%). However, the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, may adjust the Discount Rate to maintain the rate within reasonable standards according to GAAP and/or applicable bank regulatory guidance.

 

1.9 Early Termination ” means the Executive’s Separation from Service before attainment of Normal Retirement Age except when such Separation from Service occurs on or following a Change in Control, because the Executive experiences a Disability, or due to Termination for Cause.

 

1.10 Effective Date ” means May 20, 2019.

 

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1.11 ERISA ” means the Employee Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and all regulations and guidance thereunder, including such regulations and guidance as may be promulgated after the Effective Date.

 

1.12 Normal Retirement Age ” means the date the Executive reaches age sixty-two (62).

 

1.13 Plan Administrator ” means the Board or such committee or person as the Board shall appoint.

 

1.14 Plan Year ” means each twelve (12) month period commencing on August 1 and ending on July 31 of each year.

 

1.15 Separation from Service ” means termination of the Executive’s employment with the Bank. Whether a Separation from Service has occurred shall be determined in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the Bank and the Executive reasonably anticipated that no further services would be performed after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services the Executive would perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or the full period of services to the Bank if the Executive has been providing services to the Bank less than thirty-six (36) months). In the event the Bank converts from mutual to stock form and forms a holding company in connection with such conversion, then all references to the Bank in this Section 1.15 shall also include such holding company, so that any services which the Executive provides to such holding company shall be taken into account for purposes of determining whether or not a Separation from Service has occurred.

 

1.16 Specified Employee ” means an employee who at the time of Separation from Service is a key employee of the Bank or of any holding company for the Bank, if any stock of the Bank or any such holding company is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement, an employee is a key employee if the employee meets the requirements of Code Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and disregarding Section 416(i)(5)) at any time during the twelve (12) month period ending on December 31 of any year (the “identification period”). If the employee is a key employee during an identification period, the employee is treated as a key employee for purposes of this Agreement during the twelve (12) month period that begins on the first day of April following the close of the identification period.

 

1.17 Termination for Cause ” means Separation from Service due to the Executive’s:

 

(a) Gross negligence or gross neglect of duties to the Bank;
(b) Conviction of a felony or of a gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude in connection with the Executive’s employment with the Bank; or
(c) Personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease-and-desist order.

 

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Article 2
Distributions During Lifetime

 

2.1 Normal Retirement Benefit . Following a Separation from Service on or after the Executive’s Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.1 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.1.1 Amount of Benefit at Normal Retirement Age . The annual benefit under this Section 2.1 is One Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($180,000).

 

Amount of Benefit after Normal Retirement Age:
  After Age 63 and before age 64 is $191,000
  After Age 64 and before age 65 is $202,000
  After Age 65 is $214,000.

 

2.1.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the annual benefit to the Executive in twelve (12) equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following a Separation from Service on or after Normal Retirement Age, subject to Section 2.5 hereof. The annual benefit shall be distributed to the Executive for ten (10) years.

 

2.2 Early Termination Benefit . If Early Termination occurs, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.2 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.2.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.2 is a percentage of the amount described in the first sentence of Section 2.1.1, calculated according to the following table:

 

Date of Separation from Service   Percent of Normal Retirement Benefit  
Before August 1, 2008     50 %
After July 31, 2008 and before August 1, 2009     55 %
After July 31, 2009 and before August 1, 2010     60 %
After July 31, 2010 and before August 1, 2011     65 %
After July 31, 2011 and before August 1, 2012     70 %
After July 31, 2012 and before August 1, 2013     75 %
After July 31, 2013 and before August 1, 2014     80 %
After July 31, 2014 and before August 1, 2015     85 %
After July 31, 2015 and before August 1, 2016     90 %
After July 31, 2016 and before August 1, 2017     95 %
After July 31, 2017     100 %

 

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2.2.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the annual benefit to the Executive in twelve (12) equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following Normal Retirement Age, subject to Section 2.5 hereof. The annual benefit shall be distributed to the Executive for ten (10) years.

 

2.3 Disability Benefit . If the Executive experiences a Disability prior to (a) a Separation from Service on or after Normal Retirement Age or (b) Early Termination, and other than on or within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.3 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.3.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.3 is a percentage of the amount described in the first sentence of Section 2.1.1, determined according to the following table:

 

Date of Disability     Percent of Normal Retirement Benefit  
Before August 1, 2008       50 %
After July 31, 2008 and before August 1, 2009       56.25 %
After July 31, 2009 and before August 1, 2010       62.5 %
After July 31, 2010 and before August 1, 2011       68.75 %
After July 31, 2011 and before August 1, 2012       75 %
After July 31, 2012 and before August 1, 2013       81.25 %
After July 31, 2013 and before August 1, 2014       87.5 %
After July 31, 2014 and before August 1, 2015       93.75 %
After July 31, 2015       100 %

 

2.3.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the annual benefit to the Executive in twelve (12) equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following Normal Retirement Age. The annual benefit shall be distributed to the Executive for ten (10) years.

 

2.4 Change in Control Benefit . If a Change in Control occurs, followed by a Separation from Service prior to Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.4 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

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2.4.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.4 is one hundred percent (100%) of the Normal Retirement Benefit amount described in Section 2.1.1.

 

2.4.2 Distribution of Benefit .

 

2.4.2.1 Separation Occurs within 2 Years after a Change in Control . If a Separation from Service occurs within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, the Bank shall distribute the annual benefit to the Executive in twelve (12) equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following the earlier of (i) the date twenty-four (24) months following the Separation from Service and (ii) Normal Retirement Age, subject to Section 2.5 hereof. The annual benefit shall be distributed to the Executive for ten (10) years.

 

2.4.2.2 Separation Occurs after 2 Years after a Change in Control . If a Separation from Service occurs more than twenty-four (24) months after a Change in Control, the Bank shall distribute the annual benefit to the Executive in twelve (12) equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following Normal Retirement Age, subject to Section 2.5 hereof. The annual benefit shall be distributed to the Executive for ten (10) years.

 

2.4.3 Parachute Payments . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, and to the extent allowed by Code Section 409A, if any benefit payment under this Section 2.4 would be treated as an “excess parachute payment” under Code Section 280G, the Bank shall reduce such benefit payment to the extent necessary to avoid treating such benefit payment as an excess parachute payment.

 

2.5 Restriction on Commencement of Distributions . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is considered a Specified Employee, the provisions of this Section 2.5 shall govern all distributions hereunder. If benefit distributions which would otherwise be made to the Executive due to a Separation from Service are limited because the Executive is a Specified Employee, then such distributions shall not be made during the first six (6) months following the Separation from Service. Rather, any distribution which would otherwise be paid to the Executive during such period shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the lapse of six months after the Separation from Service. All subsequent distributions shall be paid in the manner specified.

 

2.6 Distributions Upon Taxation of Amounts Deferred . If, pursuant to Code Section 409A or other state, local or foreign tax, the Executive becomes subject to tax on the amounts deferred hereunder, then the Bank shall make a limited distribution to the Executive in a manner that conforms to the requirements of Code Section 409A. Any such distribution will decrease the Executive’s benefits distributable under this Agreement.

 

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2.7 Change in Form or Timing of Distributions . For distribution of benefits under this Article 2, the Executive and the Bank may, subject to the terms of Section 8.1, amend this Agreement to delay the timing or change the form of distributions. Any such amendment:

 

(a) may not accelerate the time or schedule of any distribution, except as provided in Code Section 409A;
(b) must, for benefits distributable under Sections 2.1 and 2.2, be made at least twelve (12) months prior to the first scheduled distribution;
(c) must, for benefits distributable under Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4, delay the commencement of distributions for a minimum of five (5) years from the date the first distribution was originally scheduled to be made; and
(d) must take effect not less than twelve (12) months after the amendment is made.

 

Article 3
Distribution at Death

 

3.1 Death During Active Service . If the Executive dies prior to a Separation from Service or experiencing a Disability, then no benefits shall be paid under this Agreement.

 

3.2 Death During Distribution of a Benefit . If the Executive dies after any benefit distributions have commenced under this Agreement but before receiving all such distributions, the Bank shall distribute to the Beneficiary the remaining benefits at the same time and in the same amounts they would have been distributed to the Executive had the Executive survived.

 

3.3 Death Before Benefit Distributions Commence . If the Executive is entitled to benefit distributions under this Agreement but dies prior to the date that commencement of said benefit distributions are scheduled to be made under this Agreement, the Bank shall distribute to the Beneficiary the same benefits to which the Executive was entitled prior to death, except that the benefit distributions shall commence on the earlier of (a) the first day of the fourth month following the Executive’s death, or (b) the date the benefits would have commenced if the Executive had not died.

 

Article 4
Beneficiaries

 

4.1 In General . The Executive shall have the right, at any time, to designate a Beneficiary to receive any benefit distributions under this Agreement upon the death of the Executive. The Beneficiary designated under this Agreement may be the same as or different from the beneficiary designated under any other plan of the Bank in which the Executive participates.

 

4.2 Designation . The Executive shall designate a Beneficiary by completing and signing the Beneficiary Designation Form and delivering it to the Plan Administrator or its designated agent. If the Executive names someone other than the Executive’s spouse as a Beneficiary, the Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, determine that spousal consent is required to be provided in a form designated by the Plan Administrator, executed by the Executive’s spouse and returned to the Plan Administrator. The Executive’s beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases the Executive or if the Executive names a spouse as Beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved. The Executive shall have the right to change a Beneficiary by completing, signing and otherwise complying with the terms of the Beneficiary Designation Form and the Plan Administrator’s rules and procedures. Upon the acceptance by the Plan Administrator of a new Beneficiary Designation Form, all Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be cancelled. The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to rely on the last Beneficiary Designation Form filed by the Executive and accepted by the Plan Administrator prior to the Executive’s death.

 

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4.3 Acknowledgment . No designation or change in designation of a Beneficiary shall be effective until received, accepted and acknowledged in writing by the Plan Administrator or its designated agent.

 

4.4 No Beneficiary Designation . If the Executive dies without a valid beneficiary designation, or if all designated Beneficiaries predecease the Executive, then the Executive’s spouse shall be the designated Beneficiary. If the Executive has no surviving spouse, any benefit shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.

 

4.5 Facility of Distribution . If the Plan Administrator determines in its discretion that a benefit is to be distributed to a minor, to a person declared incompetent or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of that person’s property, the Plan Administrator may direct distribution of such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care or custody of such minor, incompetent person or incapable person. The Plan Administrator may require proof of incompetence, minority or guardianship as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit. Any distribution of a benefit shall be a distribution for the account of the Executive and the Beneficiary, as the case may be, and shall completely discharge any liability under this Agreement for such distribution amount.

 

Article 5
General Limitations

 

5.1 Termination for Cause . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive’s employment with the Bank is terminated by the Bank or an applicable regulator due to a Termination for Cause.

 

5.2 Suicide or Misstatement . No benefit shall be distributed if the Executive commits suicide within two (2) years after the Effective Date, or if an insurance company which issued a life insurance policy covering the Executive and owned by the Bank denies coverage (i) for material misstatements of fact made by the Executive on an application for such life insurance, or (ii) for any other reason.

 

5.3 Removal . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive is subject to a final removal or prohibition order issued by an appropriate federal banking agency pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, shall be subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. §1828 and FDIC Regulation 12 C.F.R. Part 359, Golden Parachute Indemnification Payments and any other regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

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Article 6
Administration of Agreement

 

6.1 Plan Administrator Duties . The Plan Administrator shall administer this Agreement according to its express terms and shall also have the discretion and authority to (i) make, amend, interpret and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Agreement and (ii) decide or resolve any and all questions, including interpretations of this Agreement, as may arise in connection with this Agreement to the extent the exercise of such discretion and authority does not conflict with Code Section 409A.

 

6.2 Agents . In the administration of this Agreement, the Plan Administrator may employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as the Plan Administrator sees fit, including acting through a duly appointed representative, and may from time to time consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Bank.

 

6.3 Binding Effect of Decisions . Any decision or action of the Plan Administrator with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation or application of this Agreement and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in this Agreement.

 

6.4 Indemnity of Plan Administrator . The Bank shall indemnify and hold harmless the Plan Administrator against any and all claims, losses, damages, expenses or liabilities arising from any action or failure to act with respect to this Agreement, except in the case of willful misconduct by the Plan Administrator.

 

6.5 Bank Information . To enable the Plan Administrator to perform its functions, the Bank shall supply full and timely information to the Plan Administrator on all matters relating to the date and circumstances of the Executive’s death, Disability or Separation from Service, and such other pertinent information as the Plan Administrator may reasonably require.

 

6.6 Annual Statement . The Plan Administrator shall provide to the Executive, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Plan Year, a statement setting forth the benefits to be distributed under this Agreement.

 

Article 7
Claims And Review Procedures

 

7.1 Notice of Denial .

 

7.1.1 If Executive or a Beneficiary (a “ claimant ”) is denied a claim for benefits under this Agreement, the Claims Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the adverse benefit determination (whether such claim is denied in whole or in part) within a reasonable period of time but no later than ninety (90) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. However, under special circumstances (to be determined by the Claims Administrator), the Claims Administrator may extend the time for processing the claim to a day no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. The claimant shall be notified in writing within the initial 90-day period of the need to extend the time for review, the special circumstances requiring an extension, and the date by which a decision is expected.

 

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7.1.2 With respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, the Claims Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the adverse benefit determination within a reasonable period of time but no later than forty-five (45) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. This 45-day period may be extended up to thirty (30) days if an extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator (to be determined by the Claims Administrator) and the claimant is notified, prior to the expiration of the initial 45-day period, of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Claims Administrator expects to render a decision. If, prior to the end of the first 30-day extension period, the Claims Administrator determines that, due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator (to be determined by the Claims Administrator), a decision cannot be rendered within that extension period, the period for making the determination may be extended for up to an additional thirty (30) days, provided that the Claims Administrator notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the initial 30-day extension period, of the circumstances requiring the extension and the date as of which the Claims Administrator expects to render a decision. In the case of any such extension, the notice of extension shall also specifically explain the standards on which entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim, and the additional information needed to resolve those issues, and the claimant shall have at least forty-five (45) days within which to provide the specified information, if any.

 

7.2 Contents of Notice of Denial . If a claimant is denied a claim for benefits under this Agreement, the Claims Administrator shall provide to such claimant written notice of the denial. Any such notice of an adverse benefit determination shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall set forth:

 

7.2.1 the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

 

7.2.2 specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based;

 

7.2.3 a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary;

 

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7.2.4 an explanation of this Agreement’s claim review procedures, and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review;

 

7.2.5 in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(i) a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: the views presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant, the views of medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Claims Administrator in connection with a claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the benefit determination, and a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(ii) if the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the Agreement to the claimant’s medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request in writing;

 

(iii) the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator relied upon in making the adverse determination, or, alternatively, a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator do not exist; and

 

(iv) a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits.

 

7.3 Right to Review . After receiving written notice of the denial of a claim, a claimant or his representative shall be entitled to:

 

7.3.1 submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the denied claim to the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable; and

 

7.3.2 request, free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim

 

7.3.3 request a full and fair review of the denial of the claim by written application to the Claims Administrator (or Appeals Fiduciary in the case of a claim for benefits payable due to Executive experiencing a Disability), which shall include:

 

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(i) a review that takes into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination; and

 

(ii) in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(1)       before issuing an adverse benefit determination on review, providing the claimant, free of charge with any new or additional evidence considered, relied upon, or generated by the Claims Administrator or other person making the benefit determination (or at the direction of the Claims Administrator or such other person) in connection with the claim as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided to give the claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date; and

 

(2)       before issuing an adverse benefit determination on review based on a new or additional rationale, providing the claimant, free of charge, with the rationale as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided to give the claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date.

 

7.4 Application for Review .

 

7.4.1 If a claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement, other than a claim described in Section 7.4.2, he must submit the written application to the Claims Administrator within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

7.4.2 If the claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement due to Executive experiencing a Disability, he must submit the written application to the Appeals Fiduciary within one hundred eighty (180) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

7.5 Hearing . Upon receiving such written application for review, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, may schedule a hearing for purposes of reviewing the claimant’s claim, which hearing shall take place not more than thirty (30) days from the date on which the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary received such written application for review.

 

7.6 Notice of Hearing . At least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled hearing, the claimant and his representative designated in writing by him, if any, shall receive written notice of the date, time, and place of such scheduled hearing. The claimant or his representative, if any, may request that the hearing be rescheduled, for his convenience, on another reasonable date or at another reasonable time or place.

 

7.7 Counsel . All claimants requesting a review of the decision denying their claim for benefits may employ counsel for purposes of the hearing.

 

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7.8 Decision on Review . No later than sixty (60) days (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) following the receipt of the written application for review, the Claims Administrator or the Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, shall submit its decision on the review in writing to the claimant involved and to his representative, if any, unless the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary determines that special circumstances (such as the need to hold a hearing) require an extension of time, to a day no later than one hundred twenty (120) days (ninety (90) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) after the date of receipt of the written application for review. If the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary determines that the extension of time is required, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary shall furnish to the claimant written notice of the extension before the expiration of the initial sixty (60) day (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary expects to render its decision on review. In the case of a decision adverse to the claimant, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary shall provide to the claimant written notice of the denial. Any such notice of an adverse benefit determination shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall include:

 

7.8.1 the specific reason or reasons for the adverse benefit determination;

 

7.8.2 specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the adverse benefit determination is based;

 

7.8.3 a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits;

 

7.8.4 a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following the adverse benefit determination on review;

 

7.8.5 a statement regarding the availability of other voluntary alternative dispute resolution options;

 

7.8.6 in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(i) a description of any contractual limitations period that applies to the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA, including the calendar date on which the contractual limitations period expires for the claim;

 

(ii) a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: the views presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant, the views of medical or vocational professionals whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Claims Administrator in connection with a claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the determination, and a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator made by the Social Security Administration;

 

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(iii) if the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the Agreement to the claimant’s medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request; and

 

(iv) the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator relied upon in making the adverse determination, or a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria do not exist.

 

The Claims Administrator has the discretionary authority to determine all interpretative issues arising under this Agreement and the interpretations of the Claims Administrator shall be final and binding upon Executive or any other party claiming benefits under this Agreement.

 

7.9 Calculating Time Periods . The period of time within which a benefit determination initially or on review is required to be made shall begin at the time a claim or request for review is filed in accordance with the procedures of the Agreement, without regard to whether all the information necessary to make a benefit determination accompanies the filing. In the event that a period of time is extended due to the failure of a claimant to submit information necessary to decide a claim or review, the period for making the benefit determination shall be tolled from the date on which the notification of the extension is sent to the claimant until the date on which the claimant responds to the request for additional information.

 

7.10 Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Notices . With respect to any notices required to be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, the Claims Administrator shall provide (i) oral language services in the applicable non-English language (that include answering questions in any applicable non-English language and providing assistance with filing claims in any applicable non-English language), (ii) a statement in the applicable non-English language, prominently displayed on notices, explaining how to access language services and (iii) notices in the applicable non-English language upon request. For this purpose, a non-English language is an applicable non-English language if 10% or more of the population residing in the county for which the notice is sent is literate only in the same non-English language.

 

7.11 Adjudication of Disability Benefit Claims: Independence and Impartiality . All claims and appeals with respect to benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability shall adjudicated in a manner designed to ensure the independence and impartiality of the persons involved in making the decision. Accordingly, decisions regarding hiring, compensation, termination, promotion, or other similar matters with respect to any individual (such as a claims adjudicator or medical or vocational expert) shall not be based upon the likelihood that the individual will support the denial of benefits.

 

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7.12 Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Available under the Agreement .

 

7.12.1 In no event will Executive be entitled to challenge the Claims Administrator’s decision in court or any other proceeding unless and until these claims procedures are exhausted. The Executive then shall have one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of receipt of the Claims Administrator’s decision on appeal in which to file suit regarding a claim for benefits under this Agreement. If suit is not filed within such one hundred eighty (180)-day period, it shall be forever barred.

 

7.12.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, if the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, fails to strictly adhere to all the applicable requirements hereunder, the claimant is deemed to have exhausted the administrative remedies available under the Agreement, except as provided in the paragraph below with respect to de minimis violations. If the claimant chooses to pursue remedies under Section 502(a) of ERISA under such circumstances, the claim or appeal is deemed denied on review without the exercise of discretion by an appropriate fiduciary.

 

The administrative remedies available under the Agreement will not be deemed exhausted based on de minimis violations that do not cause, and are not likely to cause, prejudice or harm to the claimant, provided the Claims Administrator demonstrates that the violation was for good cause or due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator and that the violation occurred in the context of an ongoing, good faith exchange of information between the Claims Administrator and the claimant. A violation shall not be de minimis if it is part of a pattern or practice of violations by the Claims Administrator. The claimant may request a written explanation of the violation from the Claims Administrator, and the Claims Administrator must provide such explanation within ten (10) days, including a specific description of its bases, if any, for asserting that the violation should not cause the available administrative remedies to be deemed exhausted. If a court rejects the claimant’s request for immediate review on the basis that the Claims Administrator met the standards for the de minimis exception the claim shall be considered as refiled on appeal upon the Claims Administrator’s receipt of the court’s decision. Within a reasonable time after the receipt of the decision, the Claims Administrator shall provide the claimant with notice of the resubmission.

 

7.13 Definitions . For purposes of the Agreement’s claims procedures, the following words and phrases shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

7.13.1 Adverse benefit determination ” means any of the following: a denial, reduction or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a benefit, including any such denial, reduction, termination, or failure to provide or make payment that is based on a determination of a claimant’s eligibility to participate in a plan and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, shall also mean any rescission of disability coverage with respect to a Participant or Beneficiary (whether or not there is an adverse effect on any particular benefit at that time), where rescission means a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage that has retroactive effect, except to the extent it is attributable to a failure to timely pay required premiums or contributions towards the cost of coverage.

 

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7.13.2 Appeals Fiduciary ” means an individual or group of individuals appointed by the Claims Administrator to review appeals of claims for benefits payable due to the Executive experiencing a Disability.

 

7.13.3 Claims Administrator ” means the Board or such other person designated by the Board from time to time and named by notice to Executive.

 

7.13.4 A document, record, or other information shall be considered “ relevant ” to a claimant’s claim if such document, record, or other information (A) was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (B) was submitted, considered, or generated in the course of making the benefit determination, without regard to whether such document, record, or other information was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (C) demonstrates compliance with the administrative processes and safeguards required in making the benefit determination, or (D) in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, constitutes a statement of policy or guidance with respect to the Agreement concerning the denied treatment option or benefit for the claimant’s diagnosis, without regard to whether such advice or statement was relied upon in making the benefit determination.

 

7.14 Person Authorized to Act on Behalf of Claimant . The Claims Administrator may establish reasonable procedures to permit an authorized person to act on behalf of the claimant (and for determining whether a person has been authorized to act on behalf of a claimant).

 

Article 8
Amendments and Termination

 

8.1 Amendments . This Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. However, the Bank may unilaterally amend this Agreement to conform with written directives to the Bank from banking regulators or to comply with legislative changes or tax law, including without limitation Code Section 409A.

 

8.2 Plan Termination Generally . This Agreement may be terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. The benefit shall be the Accrual Balance as of the date this Agreement is terminated. Except as provided in Section 8.3, the termination of this Agreement shall not cause a distribution of benefits under this Agreement. Rather, upon such termination benefit distributions will be made at the earliest distribution event permitted under Article 2 or Article 3.

 

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8.3 Plan Terminations Under Code Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8.2, if the Bank irrevocably terminates this Agreement in the following circumstances:

 

(a) Within thirty (30) days before or twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, provided that all distributions are made no later than twelve (12) months following such irrevocable termination of this Agreement and further provided that all of the arrangements sponsored by the Bank that would be aggregated with this Agreement under Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c)(2) are terminated so the Executive and all participants under the other aggregated arrangements are required to receive all amounts of compensation deferred under the terminated arrangements within twelve (12) months of the date the Bank irrevocably takes all necessary action to terminate such arrangements;
(b) Within twelve (12) months of a dissolution of the Bank taxed under Section 331 of the Code or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §503(b)(1)(A), provided that the amounts deferred under this Agreement are included in the Executive’s gross income in the latest of (i) the calendar year in which this Agreement terminates; (ii) the calendar year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (iii) the first calendar year in which the distribution is administratively practicable; or
(c) Upon the Bank’s termination of this and all other arrangements that would be aggregated with this Agreement pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c) if the Executive participated in such arrangements (“Similar Arrangements”), provided that (i) the termination and liquidation does not occur proximate to a downturn in the financial health of the Bank, (ii) no payments are made within twelve (12) months of the termination of the arrangements other than payments that would be payable under the terms of the arrangements if the termination had not occurred, (iii) all termination distributions are made no later than twenty-four (24) months following such termination, and (iv) the Bank does not adopt any new arrangement that would be a Similar Arrangement for a minimum of three (3) years following the date the Bank takes all necessary action to irrevocably terminate and liquidate the Agreement;

 

the Bank may distribute the Accrual Balance, determined as of the date of the termination of this Agreement, to the Executive in a lump sum subject to the above terms.

 

Article 9
Miscellaneous

 

9.1 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall bind the Executive and the Bank and their beneficiaries, survivors, executors, administrators and transferees.

 

9.2 No Guarantee of Employment . This Agreement is not a contract for employment. It does not give the Executive the right to remain as an employee of the Bank nor interfere with the Bank’s right to discharge the Executive. It does not require the Executive to remain an employee nor interfere with the Executive’s right to terminate employment at any time.

 

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9.3 Non-Transferability . Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, attached or encumbered in any manner.

 

9.4 Tax Withholding and Reporting . The Bank shall withhold any taxes that are required to be withheld, including but not limited to taxes owed under Code Section 409A from the benefits provided under this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that the Bank’s sole liability regarding taxes is to forward any amounts withheld to the appropriate taxing authorities. The Bank shall satisfy all applicable reporting requirements, including those under Code Section 409A.

 

9.5 Applicable Law . This Agreement and all rights hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana, except to the extent that the laws of the United States of America are applicable.

 

9.6 Unfunded Arrangement . The Executive and the Beneficiary are general unsecured creditors of the Bank for the distribution of benefits under this Agreement. The benefits represent the mere promise by the Bank to distribute such benefits. The rights to benefits are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment by creditors. Any insurance on the Executive’s life or other informal funding asset is a general asset of the Bank to which the Executive and Beneficiary have no preferred or secured claim.

 

9.7 Reorganization . The Bank shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank, or reorganize, or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person unless such succeeding or continuing bank, firm or person agrees to assume and discharge the obligations of the Bank under this Agreement. Upon the occurrence of such an event, the term “Bank” as used in this Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the successor or survivor entity.

 

9.8 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive as to the subject matter hereof. No rights are granted to the Executive by virtue of this Agreement other than those specifically set forth herein.

 

9.9 Interpretation . Wherever the fulfillment of the intent and purpose of this Agreement requires and the context will permit, the use of the masculine gender includes the feminine and use of the singular includes the plural.

 

9.10 Alternative Action . In the event it shall become impossible for the Bank or the Plan Administrator to perform any act required by this Agreement due to regulatory or other constraints, the Bank or Plan Administrator may perform such alternative act as most nearly carries out the intent and purpose of this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Bank, provided that such alternative act does not violate Code Section 409A.

 

9.11 Headings . Article and section headings are for convenient reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision herein.

 

9.12 Validity . If any provision of this Agreement shall be illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts hereof, but this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

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9.13 Notice . Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Bank or Plan Administrator under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by registered or certified mail to the address below:

 

Board of Directors

Home Bank, N. A.

503 Kaliste Saloom

Lafayette, Louisiana 70508

 

Such notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification.

 

Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Executive under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by mail to the last known address of the Executive.

 

9.14 Compliance with Section 409A . This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered consistent with Code Section 409A.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Bank have signed this Agreement.

 

EXECUTIVE   HOME BANK, N.A.
     
/s/ John W. Bordelon   By: /s/ Michael P. Maraist
John W. Bordelon   Title: Chairman of the Board

 

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Exhibit 10.8

 

HOME BANK, N.A.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is adopted effective as of the 20 th day of May, 2019, by and between HOME BANK, N.A., a national bank located in Lafayette, Louisiana (the “Bank”), and DARREN GUIDRY (the “Executive”).

 

WITNESSETH :

 

WHEREAS, the Bank and the Executive previously entered into the Home Bank Salary Continuation Agreement effective as of August 1, 2007 (the “Prior Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Bank and the Executive may amend the Prior Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 thereof;

 

WHEREAS, the Bank and the Executive now desire to amend the Prior Agreement to (i) eliminate the pre-retirement death benefit and (ii) amend and restate the claims procedures;

 

WHEREAS, the purpose of this Agreement is to provide specified benefits to the Executive, a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees who contribute materially to the continued growth, development and future business success of the Bank; and this Agreement shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended from time to time; and

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement amends and restates and supersedes the Prior Agreement in its entirety.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the Bank and the Executive as follows:

 

Article 1
Definitions

 

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings specified:

 

1.1 Account Value ” means the amount shown on Schedule A under the heading Account Value. The parties expressly acknowledge that the Account Value may be different than the liability that should be accrued by the Bank, under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, for the Bank’s obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. The Account Value on any date other than the end of a Plan Year shall be determined by adding the prorated increase attributable for the current Plan Year to the Account Value for the previous Plan Year.

 

1.2 Beneficiary ” means each designated person or entity, or the estate of the deceased Executive, entitled to any benefits upon the death of the Executive pursuant to Article 4.

 

 

 

 

1.3 Beneficiary Designation Form ” means the form established from time to time by the Plan Administrator that the Executive completes, signs and returns to the Plan Administrator to designate one or more Beneficiaries.

 

1.4 Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Bank as from time to time constituted.

 

1.5 Change in Control ” means a change in the ownership of the Bank, a change in the effective control of the Bank or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Bank, in each case as provided under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder, provided that any mutual to stock conversion of the Bank shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control, and provided further that following any mutual to stock conversion of the Bank, all references to the Bank in this Section 1.5 shall also include any holding company for the Bank formed in connection with such conversion.

 

1.6 Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all regulations and guidance thereunder, including such regulations and guidance as may be promulgated after the Effective Date.

 

1.7 Disability ” means the Executive: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees or directors of the Bank. Medical determination of Disability may be made by either the Social Security Administration or by the provider of disability insurance covering employees or directors of the Bank, provided that the definition of “disability” applied under such insurance program complies with the requirements of the preceding sentence. Upon the request of the Plan Administrator, the Executive must submit proof to the Plan Administrator of the Social Security Administration’s or the provider’s determination.

 

1.8 Early Termination ” means the Executive’s Separation from Service before attainment of Normal Retirement Age except when such Separation from Service occurs on or within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control or due to Termination for Cause.

 

1.9 Effective Date ” means May 20, 2019.

 

1.10 ERISA ” means the Employee Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and all regulations and guidance thereunder, including such regulations and guidance as may be promulgated after the Effective Date.

 

1.11 Normal Retirement Age ” means the date the Executive reaches age sixty-five (65).

 

1.12 Plan Administrator ” means the Board or such committee or person as the Board shall appoint.

 

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1.13 Plan Year ” means each twelve (12) month period commencing on August 1 and ending on July 31 of each year.

 

1.14 Separation from Service ” means termination of the Executive’s employment with the Bank. Whether a Separation from Service has occurred shall be determined in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the Bank and the Executive reasonably anticipated that no further services would be performed after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services the Executive would perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or the full period of services to the Bank if the Executive has been providing services to the Bank less than thirty-six (36) months). In the event the Bank converts from mutual to stock form and forms a holding company in connection with such conversion, then all references to the Bank in this Section 1.14 shall also include such holding company, so that any services which the Executive provides to such holding company shall be taken into account for purposes of determining whether or not a Separation from Service has occurred.

 

1.15 Specified Employee ” means an employee who at the time of Separation from Service is a key employee of the Bank or of any holding company for the Bank, if any stock of the Bank or any such holding company is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement, an employee is a key employee if the employee meets the requirements of Code Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and disregarding Section 416(i)(5)) at any time during the twelve (12) month period ending on December 31 of any year (the “identification period”). If the employee is a key employee during an identification period, the employee is treated as a key employee for purposes of this Agreement during the twelve (12) month period that begins on the first day of April following the close of the identification period.

 

1.16 Termination for Cause ” means Separation from Service due to the Executive’s:

 

(a) Gross negligence or gross neglect of duties to the Bank;
(b) Conviction of a felony or of a gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude in connection with the Executive’s employment with the Bank; or
(c) Personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease-and-desist order.

 

Article 2
Distributions During Lifetime

 

2.1 Normal Retirement Benefit . Upon the Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.1 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.1.1 Amount of Benefit . The annual benefit under this Section 2.1 is Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000).

 

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2.1.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the annual benefit to the Executive in twelve (12) equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following Normal Retirement Age. The annual benefit shall be distributed to the Executive for ten (10) years.

 

2.2 Early Termination Benefit . If Early Termination occurs, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.2 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.2.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.2 is the percentage, according to the table below, of the Account Value calculated as of the end of the Plan Year immediately preceding Separation from Service:

 

Date of Separation from Service   Percent of Account Value  
Before August 1, 2008     0 %
After July 31, 2008 and before August 1, 2009     8.33 %
After July 31, 2009 and before August 1, 2010     16.67 %
After July 31, 2010 and before August 1, 2011     25 %
After July 31, 2011 and before August 1, 2012     33.33 %
After July 31, 2012 and before August 1, 2013     41.67 %
After July 31, 2013 and before August 1, 2014     50 %
After July 31, 2014 and before August 1, 2015     58.33 %
After July 31, 2015 and before August 1, 2016     66.67 %
After July 31, 2016 and before August 1, 2017     75 %
After July 31, 2017 and before August 1, 2018     83.33 %
After July 31, 2018 and before August 1, 2019     91.67 %
After July 31, 2019     100 %

 

2.2.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in one hundred twenty (120) equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following Normal Retirement Age, subject to Section 2.4 hereof

 

2.3 Change in Control Benefit . If a Change in Control occurs, followed within twenty-four (24) months by a Separation from Service prior to Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.3 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.3.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.3 is one hundred percent (100%) of the Account Value determined as of the end of the Plan Year immediately preceding Separation from Service.

 

2.3.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Separation from Service, subject to Section 2.4 hereof.

 

2.3.3 Parachute Payments . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, and to the extent allowed by Code Section 409A, if any benefit payment under this Section 2.3 would be treated as an “excess parachute payment” under Code Section 280G, the Bank shall reduce such benefit payment to the extent necessary to avoid treating such benefit payment as an excess parachute payment.

 

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2.4 Restriction on Commencement of Distributions . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is considered a Specified Employee, the provisions of this Section 2.4 shall govern all distributions hereunder. If benefit distributions which would otherwise be made to the Executive due to a Separation from Service are limited because the Executive is a Specified Employee, then such distributions shall not be made during the first six (6) months following the Separation from Service. Rather, any distribution which would otherwise be paid to the Executive during such period shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the lapse of six months after the Separation from Service. All subsequent distributions shall be paid in the manner specified.

 

2.5 Distributions Upon Taxation of Amounts Deferred . If, pursuant to Code Section 409A or other state, local or foreign tax, the Executive becomes subject to tax on the amounts deferred hereunder, then the Bank shall make a limited distribution to the Executive in a manner that conforms to the requirements of Code Section 409A. Any such distribution will decrease the Executive’s benefits distributable under this Agreement.

 

2.6 Change in Form or Timing of Distributions . For distribution of benefits under this Article 2, the Executive and the Bank may, subject to the terms of Section 8.1, amend this Agreement to delay the timing or change the form of distributions. Any such amendment:

 

(a) may not accelerate the time or schedule of any distribution, except as provided in Code Section 409A;
(b) must, for benefits distributable under Sections 2.1 and 2.2, be made at least twelve (12) months prior to the first scheduled distribution;
(c) must, for benefits distributable under Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, delay the commencement of distributions for a minimum of five (5) years from the date the first distribution was originally scheduled to be made; and
(d) must take effect not less than twelve (12) months after the amendment is made.

 

Article 3
Distribution at Death

 

3.1 Death During Active Service . If the Executive dies prior to a Separation from Service or Normal Retirement Age, then no benefits shall be paid under this Agreement.

 

3.2 Death During Distribution of a Benefit . If the Executive dies after any benefit distributions have commenced under this Agreement but before receiving all such distributions, the Bank shall distribute to the Beneficiary the remaining benefits at the same time and in the same amounts they would have been distributed to the Executive had the Executive survived.

 

3.3 Death Before Benefit Distributions Commence . If the Executive is entitled to benefit distributions under this Agreement but dies prior to the date that commencement of said benefit distributions are scheduled to be made under this Agreement, the Bank shall distribute to the Beneficiary the same benefits to which the Executive was entitled prior to death, except that the benefit distributions shall commence on the earlier of (a) the first day of the fourth month following the Executive’s death, or (b) the date the benefits would have commenced if the Executive had not died.

 

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Article 4
Beneficiaries

 

4.1 In General . The Executive shall have the right, at any time, to designate a Beneficiary to receive any benefit distributions under this Agreement upon the death of the Executive. The Beneficiary designated under this Agreement may be the same as or different from the beneficiary designated under any other plan of the Bank in which the Executive participates.

 

4.2 Designation . The Executive shall designate a Beneficiary by completing and signing the Beneficiary Designation Form and delivering it to the Plan Administrator or its designated agent. If the Executive names someone other than the Executive’s spouse as a Beneficiary, the Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, determine that spousal consent is required to be provided in a form designated by the Plan Administrator, executed by the Executive’s spouse and returned to the Plan Administrator. The Executive’s beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases the Executive or if the Executive names a spouse as Beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved. The Executive shall have the right to change a Beneficiary by completing, signing and otherwise complying with the terms of the Beneficiary Designation Form and the Plan Administrator’s rules and procedures. Upon the acceptance by the Plan Administrator of a new Beneficiary Designation Form, all Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be cancelled. The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to rely on the last Beneficiary Designation Form filed by the Executive and accepted by the Plan Administrator prior to the Executive’s death.

 

4.3 Acknowledgment . No designation or change in designation of a Beneficiary shall be effective until received, accepted and acknowledged in writing by the Plan Administrator or its designated agent.

 

4.4 No Beneficiary Designation . If the Executive dies without a valid beneficiary designation, or if all designated Beneficiaries predecease the Executive, then the Executive’s spouse shall be the designated Beneficiary. If the Executive has no surviving spouse, any benefit shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.

 

4.5 Facility of Distribution . If the Plan Administrator determines in its discretion that a benefit is to be distributed to a minor, to a person declared incompetent or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of that person’s property, the Plan Administrator may direct distribution of such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care or custody of such minor, incompetent person or incapable person. The Plan Administrator may require proof of incompetence, minority or guardianship as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit. Any distribution of a benefit shall be a distribution for the account of the Executive and the Beneficiary, as the case may be, and shall completely discharge any liability under this Agreement for such distribution amount.

 

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Article 5
General Limitations

 

5.1 Termination for Cause . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive’s employment with the Bank is terminated by the Bank or an applicable regulator due to a Termination for Cause.

 

5.2 Suicide or Misstatement . No benefit shall be distributed if the Executive commits suicide within two (2) years after the Effective Date, or if an insurance company which issued a life insurance policy covering the Executive and owned by the Bank denies coverage (i) for material misstatements of fact made by the Executive on an application for such life insurance, or (ii) for any other reason.

 

5.3 Removal . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive is subject to a final removal or prohibition order issued by an appropriate federal banking agency pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, shall be subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. §1828 and FDIC Regulation 12 C.F.R. Part 359, Golden Parachute Indemnification Payments and any other regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

Article 6
Administration of Agreement

 

6.1 Plan Administrator Duties . The Plan Administrator shall administer this Agreement according to its express terms and shall also have the discretion and authority to (i) make, amend, interpret and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Agreement and (ii) decide or resolve any and all questions, including interpretations of this Agreement, as may arise in connection with this Agreement to the extent the exercise of such discretion and authority does not conflict with Code Section 409A.

 

6.2 Agents . In the administration of this Agreement, the Plan Administrator may employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as the Plan Administrator sees fit, including acting through a duly appointed representative, and may from time to time consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Bank.

 

6.3 Binding Effect of Decisions . Any decision or action of the Plan Administrator with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation or application of this Agreement and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in this Agreement.

 

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6.4 Indemnity of Plan Administrator . The Bank shall indemnify and hold harmless the Plan Administrator against any and all claims, losses, damages, expenses or liabilities arising from any action or failure to act with respect to this Agreement, except in the case of willful misconduct by the Plan Administrator.

 

6.5 Bank Information . To enable the Plan Administrator to perform its functions, the Bank shall supply full and timely information to the Plan Administrator on all matters relating to the date and circumstances of the Executive’s death or Separation from Service, and such other pertinent information as the Plan Administrator may reasonably require.

 

6.6 Annual Statement . The Plan Administrator shall provide to the Executive, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Plan Year, a statement setting forth the benefits to be distributed under this Agreement.

 

Article 7
Claims And Review Procedures

 

7.1 Notice of Denial .

 

7.1.1 If Executive or a Beneficiary (a “ claimant ”) is denied a claim for benefits under this Agreement, the Claims Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the adverse benefit determination (whether such claim is denied in whole or in part) within a reasonable period of time but no later than ninety (90) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. However, under special circumstances (to be determined by the Claims Administrator), the Claims Administrator may extend the time for processing the claim to a day no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. The claimant shall be notified in writing within the initial 90-day period of the need to extend the time for review, the special circumstances requiring an extension, and the date by which a decision is expected.

 

7.1.2 With respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, the Claims Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the adverse benefit determination within a reasonable period of time but no later than forty-five (45) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. This 45-day period may be extended up to thirty (30) days if an extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator (to be determined by the Claims Administrator) and the claimant is notified, prior to the expiration of the initial 45-day period, of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Claims Administrator expects to render a decision. If, prior to the end of the first 30-day extension period, the Claims Administrator determines that, due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator (to be determined by the Claims Administrator), a decision cannot be rendered within that extension period, the period for making the determination may be extended for up to an additional thirty (30) days, provided that the Claims Administrator notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the initial 30-day extension period, of the circumstances requiring the extension and the date as of which the Claims Administrator expects to render a decision. In the case of any such extension, the notice of extension shall also specifically explain the standards on which entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim, and the additional information needed to resolve those issues, and the claimant shall have at least forty-five (45) days within which to provide the specified information, if any.

 

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7.2 Contents of Notice of Denial . If a claimant is denied a claim for benefits under this Agreement, the Claims Administrator shall provide to such claimant written notice of the denial. Any such notice of an adverse benefit determination shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall set forth:

 

7.2.1 the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

 

7.2.2 specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based;

 

7.2.3 a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary;

 

7.2.4 an explanation of this Agreement’s claim review procedures, and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review;

 

7.2.5 in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(i) a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: the views presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant, the views of medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Claims Administrator in connection with a claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the benefit determination, and a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(ii) if the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the Agreement to the claimant’s medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request in writing;

 

(iii) the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator relied upon in making the adverse determination, or, alternatively, a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator do not exist; and

 

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(iv) a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits.

 

7.3 Right to Review . After receiving written notice of the denial of a claim, a claimant or his representative shall be entitled to:

 

7.3.1 submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the denied claim to the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable; and

 

7.3.2 request, free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim

 

7.3.3 request a full and fair review of the denial of the claim by written application to the Claims Administrator (or Appeals Fiduciary in the case of a claim for benefits payable due to Executive experiencing a Disability), which shall include:

 

(i) a review that takes into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination; and

 

(ii) in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(1)       before issuing an adverse benefit determination on review, providing the claimant, free of charge with any new or additional evidence considered, relied upon, or generated by the Claims Administrator or other person making the benefit determination (or at the direction of the Claims Administrator or such other person) in connection with the claim as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided to give the claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date; and

 

(2)       before issuing an adverse benefit determination on review based on a new or additional rationale, providing the claimant, free of charge, with the rationale as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided to give the claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date.

 

7.4 Application for Review .

 

7.4.1 If a claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement, other than a claim described in Section 7.4.2, he must submit the written application to the Claims Administrator within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

7.4.2 If the claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement due to Executive experiencing a Disability, he must submit the written application to the Appeals Fiduciary within one hundred eighty (180) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

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7.5 Hearing . Upon receiving such written application for review, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, may schedule a hearing for purposes of reviewing the claimant’s claim, which hearing shall take place not more than thirty (30) days from the date on which the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary received such written application for review.

 

7.6 Notice of Hearing . At least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled hearing, the claimant and his representative designated in writing by him, if any, shall receive written notice of the date, time, and place of such scheduled hearing. The claimant or his representative, if any, may request that the hearing be rescheduled, for his convenience, on another reasonable date or at another reasonable time or place.

 

7.7 Counsel . All claimants requesting a review of the decision denying their claim for benefits may employ counsel for purposes of the hearing.

 

7.8 Decision on Review . No later than sixty (60) days (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) following the receipt of the written application for review, the Claims Administrator or the Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, shall submit its decision on the review in writing to the claimant involved and to his representative, if any, unless the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary determines that special circumstances (such as the need to hold a hearing) require an extension of time, to a day no later than one hundred twenty (120) days (ninety (90) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) after the date of receipt of the written application for review. If the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary determines that the extension of time is required, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary shall furnish to the claimant written notice of the extension before the expiration of the initial sixty (60) day (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary expects to render its decision on review. In the case of a decision adverse to the claimant, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary shall provide to the claimant written notice of the denial. Any such notice of an adverse benefit determination shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall include:

 

7.8.1 the specific reason or reasons for the adverse benefit determination;

 

7.8.2 specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the adverse benefit determination is based;

 

7.8.3 a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits;

 

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7.8.4 a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following the adverse benefit determination on review;

 

7.8.5 a statement regarding the availability of other voluntary alternative dispute resolution options;

 

7.8.6 in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(i) a description of any contractual limitations period that applies to the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA, including the calendar date on which the contractual limitations period expires for the claim;

 

(ii) a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: the views presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant, the views of medical or vocational professionals whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Claims Administrator in connection with a claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the determination, and a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(iii) if the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the Agreement to the claimant’s medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request; and

 

(iv) the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator relied upon in making the adverse determination, or a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria do not exist.

 

The Claims Administrator has the discretionary authority to determine all interpretative issues arising under this Agreement and the interpretations of the Claims Administrator shall be final and binding upon Executive or any other party claiming benefits under this Agreement.

 

7.9 Calculating Time Periods . The period of time within which a benefit determination initially or on review is required to be made shall begin at the time a claim or request for review is filed in accordance with the procedures of the Agreement, without regard to whether all the information necessary to make a benefit determination accompanies the filing. In the event that a period of time is extended due to the failure of a claimant to submit information necessary to decide a claim or review, the period for making the benefit determination shall be tolled from the date on which the notification of the extension is sent to the claimant until the date on which the claimant responds to the request for additional information.

 

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7.10 Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Notices . With respect to any notices required to be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, the Claims Administrator shall provide (i) oral language services in the applicable non-English language (that include answering questions in any applicable non-English language and providing assistance with filing claims in any applicable non-English language), (ii) a statement in the applicable non-English language, prominently displayed on notices, explaining how to access language services and (iii) notices in the applicable non-English language upon request. For this purpose, a non-English language is an applicable non-English language if 10% or more of the population residing in the county for which the notice is sent is literate only in the same non-English language.

 

7.11 Adjudication of Disability Benefit Claims: Independence and Impartiality . All claims and appeals with respect to benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability shall adjudicated in a manner designed to ensure the independence and impartiality of the persons involved in making the decision. Accordingly, decisions regarding hiring, compensation, termination, promotion, or other similar matters with respect to any individual (such as a claims adjudicator or medical or vocational expert) shall not be based upon the likelihood that the individual will support the denial of benefits.

 

7.12 Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Available under the Agreement .

 

7.12.1 In no event will Executive be entitled to challenge the Claims Administrator’s decision in court or any other proceeding unless and until these claims procedures are exhausted. The Executive then shall have one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of receipt of the Claims Administrator’s decision on appeal in which to file suit regarding a claim for benefits under this Agreement. If suit is not filed within such one hundred eighty (180)-day period, it shall be forever barred.

 

7.12.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, if the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, fails to strictly adhere to all the applicable requirements hereunder, the claimant is deemed to have exhausted the administrative remedies available under the Agreement, except as provided in the paragraph below with respect to de minimis violations. If the claimant chooses to pursue remedies under Section 502(a) of ERISA under such circumstances, the claim or appeal is deemed denied on review without the exercise of discretion by an appropriate fiduciary.

 

The administrative remedies available under the Agreement will not be deemed exhausted based on de minimis violations that do not cause, and are not likely to cause, prejudice or harm to the claimant, provided the Claims Administrator demonstrates that the violation was for good cause or due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator and that the violation occurred in the context of an ongoing, good faith exchange of information between the Claims Administrator and the claimant. A violation shall not be de minimis if it is part of a pattern or practice of violations by the Claims Administrator. The claimant may request a written explanation of the violation from the Claims Administrator, and the Claims Administrator must provide such explanation within ten (10) days, including a specific description of its bases, if any, for asserting that the violation should not cause the available administrative remedies to be deemed exhausted. If a court rejects the claimant’s request for immediate review on the basis that the Claims Administrator met the standards for the de minimis exception the claim shall be considered as refiled on appeal upon the Claims Administrator’s receipt of the court’s decision. Within a reasonable time after the receipt of the decision, the Claims Administrator shall provide the claimant with notice of the resubmission.

 

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7.13 Definitions . For purposes of the Agreement’s claims procedures, the following words and phrases shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

7.13.1 Adverse benefit determination ” means any of the following: a denial, reduction or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a benefit, including any such denial, reduction, termination, or failure to provide or make payment that is based on a determination of a claimant’s eligibility to participate in a plan and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, shall also mean any rescission of disability coverage with respect to a Participant or Beneficiary (whether or not there is an adverse effect on any particular benefit at that time), where rescission means a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage that has retroactive effect, except to the extent it is attributable to a failure to timely pay required premiums or contributions towards the cost of coverage.

 

7.13.2 Appeals Fiduciary ” means an individual or group of individuals appointed by the Claims Administrator to review appeals of claims for benefits payable due to the Executive experiencing a Disability.

 

7.13.3 Claims Administrator ” means the Board or such other person designated by the Board from time to time and named by notice to Executive.

 

7.13.4 A document, record, or other information shall be considered “ relevant ” to a claimant’s claim if such document, record, or other information (A) was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (B) was submitted, considered, or generated in the course of making the benefit determination, without regard to whether such document, record, or other information was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (C) demonstrates compliance with the administrative processes and safeguards required in making the benefit determination, or (D) in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, constitutes a statement of policy or guidance with respect to the Agreement concerning the denied treatment option or benefit for the claimant’s diagnosis, without regard to whether such advice or statement was relied upon in making the benefit determination.

 

7.14 Person Authorized to Act on Behalf of Claimant . The Claims Administrator may establish reasonable procedures to permit an authorized person to act on behalf of the claimant (and for determining whether a person has been authorized to act on behalf of a claimant).

 

Article 8
Amendments and Termination

 

8.1 Amendments . This Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. However, the Bank may unilaterally amend this Agreement to conform with written directives to the Bank from banking regulators or to comply with legislative changes or tax law, including without limitation Code Section 409A.

 

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8.2 Plan Termination Generally . This Agreement may be terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. The benefit shall be the Account Value as of the date this Agreement is terminated. Except as provided in Section 8.3, the termination of this Agreement shall not cause a distribution of benefits under this Agreement. Rather, upon such termination benefit distributions will be made at the earliest distribution event permitted under Article 2 or Article 3.

 

8.3 Plan Terminations Under Code Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8.2, if the Bank irrevocably terminates this Agreement in the following circumstances:

 

(a) Within thirty (30) days before or twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, provided that all distributions are made no later than twelve (12) months following such irrevocable termination of this Agreement and further provided that all of the arrangements sponsored by the Bank that would be aggregated with this Agreement under Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c)(2) are terminated so the Executive and all participants under the other aggregated arrangements are required to receive all amounts of compensation deferred under the terminated arrangements within twelve (12) months of the date the Bank irrevocably takes all necessary action to terminate such arrangements;
(b) Within twelve (12) months of a dissolution of the Bank taxed under Section 331 of the Code or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §503(b)(1)(A), provided that the amounts deferred under this Agreement are included in the Executive’s gross income in the latest of (i) the calendar year in which this Agreement terminates; (ii) the calendar year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (iii) the first calendar year in which the distribution is administratively practicable; or
(c) Upon the Bank’s termination of this and all other arrangements that would be aggregated with this Agreement pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c) if the Executive participated in such arrangements (“Similar Arrangements”), provided that (i) the termination and liquidation does not occur proximate to a downturn in the financial health of the Bank, (ii) no payments are made within twelve (12) months of the termination of the arrangements other than payments that would be payable under the terms of the arrangements if the termination had not occurred, (iii) all termination distributions are made no later than twenty-four (24) months following such termination, and (iv) the Bank does not adopt any new arrangement that would be a Similar Arrangement for a minimum of three (3) years following the date the Bank takes all necessary action to irrevocably terminate and liquidate the Agreement;

 

the Bank may distribute the Account Value, determined as of the date of the termination of this Agreement, to the Executive in a lump sum subject to the above terms.

 

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Article 9
Miscellaneous

 

9.1 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall bind the Executive and the Bank and their beneficiaries, survivors, executors, administrators and transferees.

 

9.2 No Guarantee of Employment . This Agreement is not a contract for employment. It does not give the Executive the right to remain as an employee of the Bank nor interfere with the Bank’s right to discharge the Executive. It does not require the Executive to remain an employee nor interfere with the Executive’s right to terminate employment at any time.

 

9.3 Non-Transferability . Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, attached or encumbered in any manner.

 

9.4 Tax Withholding and Reporting . The Bank shall withhold any taxes that are required to be withheld, including but not limited to taxes owed under Code Section 409A from the benefits provided under this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that the Bank’s sole liability regarding taxes is to forward any amounts withheld to the appropriate taxing authorities. The Bank shall satisfy all applicable reporting requirements, including those under Code Section 409A.

 

9.5 Applicable Law . This Agreement and all rights hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana, except to the extent that the laws of the United States of America are applicable.

 

9.6 Unfunded Arrangement . The Executive and the Beneficiary are general unsecured creditors of the Bank for the distribution of benefits under this Agreement. The benefits represent the mere promise by the Bank to distribute such benefits. The rights to benefits are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment by creditors. Any insurance on the Executive’s life or other informal funding asset is a general asset of the Bank to which the Executive and Beneficiary have no preferred or secured claim.

 

9.7 Reorganization . The Bank shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank, or reorganize, or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person unless such succeeding or continuing bank, firm or person agrees to assume and discharge the obligations of the Bank under this Agreement. Upon the occurrence of such an event, the term “Bank” as used in this Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the successor or survivor entity.

 

9.8 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive as to the subject matter hereof. No rights are granted to the Executive by virtue of this Agreement other than those specifically set forth herein.

 

9.9 Interpretation . Wherever the fulfillment of the intent and purpose of this Agreement requires and the context will permit, the use of the masculine gender includes the feminine and use of the singular includes the plural.

 

9.10 Alternative Action . In the event it shall become impossible for the Bank or the Plan Administrator to perform any act required by this Agreement due to regulatory or other constraints, the Bank or Plan Administrator may perform such alternative act as most nearly carries out the intent and purpose of this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Bank, provided that such alternative act does not violate Code Section 409A.

 

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9.11 Headings . Article and section headings are for convenient reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision herein.

 

9.12 Validity . If any provision of this Agreement shall be illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts hereof, but this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

9.13 Notice . Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Bank or Plan Administrator under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by registered or certified mail to the address below:

 

Board of Directors

Home Bank, N.A.

503 Kaliste Saloom

Lafayette, Louisiana 70508

 

Such notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification. Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Executive under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by mail to the last known address of the Executive.

 

9.14 Compliance with Section 409A . This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered consistent with Code Section 409A.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Bank have signed this Agreement.

 

EXECUTIVE   HOME BANK, N.A.
     
/s/ Darren E. Guidry   By: /s/ John W. Bordelon
Darren E. Guidry   Title: President & CEO

 

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Exhibit 10.9

 

HOME BANK, N. A.
SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is adopted effective as of the 20 th day of May, 2019, by and between HOME BANK, N. A., a national bank, located in Lafayette, Louisiana (the “Bank”), and JOHN W. BORDELON (the “Executive”).

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS, the purpose of this Agreement is to provide specified benefits to the Executive, a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees who contribute materially to the continued growth, development and future business success of the Bank; and this Agreement shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended from time to time.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the Bank and the Executive as follows:

 

Article 1
Definitions

 

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings specified:

 

1.1 Accrual Balance ” means the liability that should be accrued by the Bank, under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), for the Bank’s obligation to the Executive under this Agreement, by applying Accounting Principles Board Opinion Number 12 (“APB 12”) as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 106 (“FAS 106”) and the Discount Rate. Any one of a variety of amortization methods may be used to determine the Accrual Balance. However, once chosen, the method must be consistently applied.

 

1.2 Beneficiary ” means each designated person or entity, or the estate of the deceased Executive, entitled to any benefits upon the death of the Executive pursuant to Article 4.

 

1.3 Beneficiary Designation Form ” means the form established from time to time by the Plan Administrator that the Executive completes, signs and returns to the Plan Administrator to designate one or more Beneficiaries.

 

1.4 Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Bank as from time to time constituted.

 

1.5 Change in Control ” means a change in the ownership of the Bank, a change in the effective control of the Bank or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Bank, in each case as provided under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder, provided that any mutual to stock conversion of the Bank shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control, and provided further that following any mutual to stock conversion of the Bank, all references to the Bank in this Section 1.5 shall also include any holding company for the Bank formed in connection with such conversion.

 

 

 

 

1.6 Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all regulations and guidance thereunder, including such regulations and guidance as may be promulgated after the Effective Date.

 

1.7 Disability ” means the Executive: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees or directors of the Bank. Medical determination of Disability may be made by either the Social Security Administration or by the provider of disability insurance covering employees or directors of the Bank, provided that the definition of “disability” applied under such insurance program complies with the requirements of the preceding sentence. Upon the request of the Plan Administrator, the Executive must submit proof to the Plan Administrator of the Social Security Administration’s or the provider’s determination.

 

1.8 Discount Rate ” means the rate used by the Plan Administrator for determining the Accrual Balance. The initial Discount Rate is four percent (4%). However, the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, may adjust the Discount Rate to maintain the rate within reasonable standards according to GAAP and/or applicable bank regulatory guidance.

 

1.9 Early Termination ” means the Executive’s Separation from Service before attainment of Normal Retirement Age except when such Separation from Service occurs on or following a Change in Control, because the Executive experiences a Disability, or due to Termination for Cause.

 

1.10 Effective Date ” means May 20, 2019.

 

1.11 ERISA ” means the Employee Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and all regulations and guidance thereunder, including such regulations and guidance as may be promulgated after the Effective Date.

 

1.12 Normal Retirement Age ” means the date the Executive reaches age sixty-five (65).

 

1.13 Plan Administrator ” means the Board or such committee or person as the Board shall appoint.

 

1.14 Plan Year ” means each twelve (12) month period commencing on August 1 and ending on July 31 of each year.

 

1.15 Separation from Service ” means termination of the Executive’s employment with the Bank. Whether a Separation from Service has occurred shall be determined in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the Bank and the Executive reasonably anticipated that no further services would be performed after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services the Executive would perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or the full period of services to the Bank if the Executive has been providing services to the Bank less than thirty-six (36) months). In the event the Bank converts from mutual to stock form and forms a holding company in connection with such conversion, then all references to the Bank in this Section 1.15 shall also include such holding company, so that any services which the Executive provides to such holding company shall be taken into account for purposes of determining whether or not a Separation from Service has occurred.

 

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1.16 Specified Employee ” means an employee who at the time of Separation from Service is a key employee of the Bank or of any holding company for the Bank, if any stock of the Bank or any such holding company is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement, an employee is a key employee if the employee meets the requirements of Code Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and disregarding Section 416(i)(5)) at any time during the twelve (12) month period ending on December 31 of any year (the “identification period”). If the employee is a key employee during an identification period, the employee is treated as a key employee for purposes of this Agreement during the twelve (12) month period that begins on the first day of April following the close of the identification period.

 

1.17 Termination for Cause ” means Separation from Service due to the Executive’s:

 

(a) Gross negligence or gross neglect of duties to the Bank;
(b) Conviction of a felony or of a gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude in connection with the Executive’s employment with the Bank; or
(c) Personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease-and-desist order.

 

Article 2
Distributions During Lifetime

 

2.1 Normal Retirement Benefit . Following a Separation from Service on or after the Executive’s Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.1 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.1.1 Amount of Benefit . The annual benefit under this Section 2.1 is Twenty-Six Thousand Dollars ($26,000).

 

2.1.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the annual benefit to the Executive in twelve (12) equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following a Separation from Service on or after Normal Retirement Age, subject to Section 2.5 hereof. The annual benefit shall be distributed to the Executive for ten (10) years.

 

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2.2 Early Termination Benefit . If Early Termination occurs, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.2 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.2.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.2 is an amount equal to the Accrual Balance as of the date of Executive’s Separation from Service.

 

2.2.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Executive’s Separation from Service, subject to Section 2.5 hereof.

 

2.3 Disability Benefit . If the Executive experiences a Disability prior to (a) a Separation from Service on or after Normal Retirement Age or (b) Early Termination, and other than on or within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.3 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.3.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.3 is an amount equal to the Accrual Balance as of the date the Executive experiences a Disability.

 

2.3.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Executive’s Separation from Service.

 

2.4 Change in Control Benefit . If a Change in Control occurs, followed by a Separation from Service prior to Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.4 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.4.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.4 is an amount equal to what the Accrual Balance is required to be as of the Normal Retirement Age.

 

2.4.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Executive’s Separation from Service, subject to Section 2.5 hereof.

 

2.4.3 Parachute Payments . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, and to the extent allowed by Code Section 409A, if any benefit payment under this Section 2.4 would be treated as an “excess parachute payment” under Code Section 280G, the Bank shall reduce such benefit payment to the extent necessary to avoid treating such benefit payment as an excess parachute payment.

 

2.5 Restriction on Commencement of Distributions . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is considered a Specified Employee, the provisions of this Section 2.5 shall govern all distributions hereunder. If benefit distributions which would otherwise be made to the Executive due to a Separation from Service are limited because the Executive is a Specified Employee, then such distributions shall not be made during the first six (6) months following the Separation from Service. Rather, any distribution which would otherwise be paid to the Executive during such period shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the lapse of six months after the Separation from Service. All subsequent distributions shall be paid in the manner specified.

 

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2.6 Distributions Upon Taxation of Amounts Deferred . If, pursuant to Code Section 409A or other state, local or foreign tax, the Executive becomes subject to tax on the amounts deferred hereunder, then the Bank shall make a limited distribution to the Executive in a manner that conforms to the requirements of Code Section 409A. Any such distribution will decrease the Executive’s benefits distributable under this Agreement.

 

2.7 Change in Form or Timing of Distributions . For distribution of benefits under this Article 2, the Executive and the Bank may, subject to the terms of Section 8.1, amend this Agreement to delay the timing or change the form of distributions. Any such amendment:

 

(a) may not accelerate the time or schedule of any distribution, except as provided in Code Section 409A;
(b) must, for benefits distributable under Sections 2.1 and 2.2, be made at least twelve (12) months prior to the first scheduled distribution;
(c) must, for benefits distributable under Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4, delay the commencement of distributions for a minimum of five (5) years from the date the first distribution was originally scheduled to be made; and
(d) must take effect not less than twelve (12) months after the amendment is made.

 

Article 3
Distribution at Death

 

3.1 Death During Active Service . If the Executive dies prior to a Separation from Service, experiencing a Disability, or Normal Retirement Age, then no benefits shall be paid under this Agreement.

 

3.2 Death During Distribution of a Benefit . If the Executive dies after the occurrence of any event triggering the Executive’s entitlement to a benefit under Article 2 and prior to payment of the entire Accrual Balance, the Bank shall distribute to the Beneficiary an amount equal to the remaining Accrual Balance at the same time and in the same amounts it would have been distributed to the Executive had the Executive survived.

 

3.3 Death Before Benefit Distributions Commence . If the Executive is entitled to benefit distributions under this Agreement but dies prior to the date that commencement of said benefit distributions are scheduled to be made under this Agreement, the Bank shall distribute to the Beneficiary the same benefits to which the Executive was entitled prior to death, except that the benefit distributions shall commence on the earlier of (a) the first day of the fourth month following the Executive’s death, or (b) the date the benefits would have commenced if the Executive had not died.

 

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Article 4
Beneficiaries

 

4.1 In General . The Executive shall have the right, at any time, to designate a Beneficiary to receive any benefit distributions under this Agreement upon the death of the Executive. The Beneficiary designated under this Agreement may be the same as or different from the beneficiary designated under any other plan of the Bank in which the Executive participates.

 

4.2 Designation . The Executive shall designate a Beneficiary by completing and signing the Beneficiary Designation Form and delivering it to the Plan Administrator or its designated agent. If the Executive names someone other than the Executive’s spouse as a Beneficiary, the Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, determine that spousal consent is required to be provided in a form designated by the Plan Administrator, executed by the Executive’s spouse and returned to the Plan Administrator. The Executive’s beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases the Executive or if the Executive names a spouse as Beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved. The Executive shall have the right to change a Beneficiary by completing, signing and otherwise complying with the terms of the Beneficiary Designation Form and the Plan Administrator’s rules and procedures. Upon the acceptance by the Plan Administrator of a new Beneficiary Designation Form, all Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be cancelled. The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to rely on the last Beneficiary Designation Form filed by the Executive and accepted by the Plan Administrator prior to the Executive’s death.

 

4.3 Acknowledgment . No designation or change in designation of a Beneficiary shall be effective until received, accepted and acknowledged in writing by the Plan Administrator or its designated agent.

 

4.4 No Beneficiary Designation . If the Executive dies without a valid beneficiary designation, or if all designated Beneficiaries predecease the Executive, then the Executive’s spouse shall be the designated Beneficiary. If the Executive has no surviving spouse, any benefit shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.

 

4.5 Facility of Distribution . If the Plan Administrator determines in its discretion that a benefit is to be distributed to a minor, to a person declared incompetent or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of that person’s property, the Plan Administrator may direct distribution of such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care or custody of such minor, incompetent person or incapable person. The Plan Administrator may require proof of incompetence, minority or guardianship as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit. Any distribution of a benefit shall be a distribution for the account of the Executive and the Beneficiary, as the case may be, and shall completely discharge any liability under this Agreement for such distribution amount.

 

Article 5
General Limitations

 

5.1 Termination for Cause . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive’s employment with the Bank is terminated by the Bank or an applicable regulator due to a Termination for Cause.

 

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5.2 Suicide or Misstatement . No benefit shall be distributed if the Executive commits suicide within two (2) years after the Effective Date, or if an insurance company which issued a life insurance policy covering the Executive and owned by the Bank denies coverage (i) for material misstatements of fact made by the Executive on an application for such life insurance, or (ii) for any other reason.

 

5.3 Removal . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive is subject to a final removal or prohibition order issued by an appropriate federal banking agency pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, shall be subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. §1828 and FDIC Regulation 12 C.F.R. Part 359, Golden Parachute Indemnification Payments and any other regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

Article 6
Administration of Agreement

 

6.1 Plan Administrator Duties . The Plan Administrator shall administer this Agreement according to its express terms and shall also have the discretion and authority to (i) make, amend, interpret and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Agreement and (ii) decide or resolve any and all questions, including interpretations of this Agreement, as may arise in connection with this Agreement to the extent the exercise of such discretion and authority does not conflict with Code Section 409A.

 

6.2 Agents . In the administration of this Agreement, the Plan Administrator may employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as the Plan Administrator sees fit, including acting through a duly appointed representative, and may from time to time consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Bank.

 

6.3 Binding Effect of Decisions . Any decision or action of the Plan Administrator with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation or application of this Agreement and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in this Agreement.

 

6.4 Indemnity of Plan Administrator . The Bank shall indemnify and hold harmless the Plan Administrator against any and all claims, losses, damages, expenses or liabilities arising from any action or failure to act with respect to this Agreement, except in the case of willful misconduct by the Plan Administrator.

 

6.5 Bank Information . To enable the Plan Administrator to perform its functions, the Bank shall supply full and timely information to the Plan Administrator on all matters relating to the date and circumstances of the Executive’s death, Disability or Separation from Service, and such other pertinent information as the Plan Administrator may reasonably require.

 

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6.6 Annual Statement . The Plan Administrator shall provide to the Executive, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Plan Year, a statement setting forth the benefits to be distributed under this Agreement.

 

Article 7
Claims And Review Procedures

 

7.1 Notice of Denial .

 

7.1.1 If Executive or a Beneficiary (a “ claimant ”) is denied a claim for benefits under this Agreement, the Claims Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the adverse benefit determination (whether such claim is denied in whole or in part) within a reasonable period of time but no later than ninety (90) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. However, under special circumstances (to be determined by the Claims Administrator), the Claims Administrator may extend the time for processing the claim to a day no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. The claimant shall be notified in writing within the initial 90-day period of the need to extend the time for review, the special circumstances requiring an extension, and the date by which a decision is expected.

 

7.1.2 With respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, the Claims Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the adverse benefit determination within a reasonable period of time but no later than forty-five (45) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. This 45-day period may be extended up to thirty (30) days if an extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator (to be determined by the Claims Administrator) and the claimant is notified, prior to the expiration of the initial 45-day period, of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Claims Administrator expects to render a decision. If, prior to the end of the first 30-day extension period, the Claims Administrator determines that, due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator (to be determined by the Claims Administrator), a decision cannot be rendered within that extension period, the period for making the determination may be extended for up to an additional thirty (30) days, provided that the Claims Administrator notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the initial 30-day extension period, of the circumstances requiring the extension and the date as of which the Claims Administrator expects to render a decision. In the case of any such extension, the notice of extension shall also specifically explain the standards on which entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim, and the additional information needed to resolve those issues, and the claimant shall have at least forty-five (45) days within which to provide the specified information, if any.

 

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7.2 Contents of Notice of Denial . If a claimant is denied a claim for benefits under this Agreement, the Claims Administrator shall provide to such claimant written notice of the denial. Any such notice of an adverse benefit determination shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall set forth:

 

7.2.1 the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

 

7.2.2 specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based;

 

7.2.3 a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary;

 

7.2.4 an explanation of this Agreement’s claim review procedures, and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review;

 

7.2.5 in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(i) a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: the views presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant, the views of medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Claims Administrator in connection with a claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the benefit determination, and a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(ii) if the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the Agreement to the claimant’s medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request in writing;

 

(iii) the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator relied upon in making the adverse determination, or, alternatively, a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator do not exist; and

 

(iv) a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits.

 

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7.3 Right to Review . After receiving written notice of the denial of a claim, a claimant or his representative shall be entitled to:

 

7.3.1 submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the denied claim to the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable; and

 

7.3.2 request, free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim

 

7.3.3 request a full and fair review of the denial of the claim by written application to the Claims Administrator (or Appeals Fiduciary in the case of a claim for benefits payable due to Executive experiencing a Disability), which shall include:

 

(i) a review that takes into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination; and

 

(ii) in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(1)       before issuing an adverse benefit determination on review, providing the claimant, free of charge with any new or additional evidence considered, relied upon, or generated by the Claims Administrator or other person making the benefit determination (or at the direction of the Claims Administrator or such other person) in connection with the claim as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided to give the claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date; and

 

(2)       before issuing an adverse benefit determination on review based on a new or additional rationale, providing the claimant, free of charge, with the rationale as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided to give the claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date.

 

7.4 Application for Review .

 

7.4.1 If a claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement, other than a claim described in Section 7.4.2, he must submit the written application to the Claims Administrator within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

7.4.2 If the claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement due to Executive experiencing a Disability, he must submit the written application to the Appeals Fiduciary within one hundred eighty (180) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

7.5 Hearing . Upon receiving such written application for review, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, may schedule a hearing for purposes of reviewing the claimant’s claim, which hearing shall take place not more than thirty (30) days from the date on which the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary received such written application for review.

 

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7.6 Notice of Hearing . At least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled hearing, the claimant and his representative designated in writing by him, if any, shall receive written notice of the date, time, and place of such scheduled hearing. The claimant or his representative, if any, may request that the hearing be rescheduled, for his convenience, on another reasonable date or at another reasonable time or place.

 

7.7 Counsel . All claimants requesting a review of the decision denying their claim for benefits may employ counsel for purposes of the hearing.

 

7.8 Decision on Review . No later than sixty (60) days (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) following the receipt of the written application for review, the Claims Administrator or the Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, shall submit its decision on the review in writing to the claimant involved and to his representative, if any, unless the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary determines that special circumstances (such as the need to hold a hearing) require an extension of time, to a day no later than one hundred twenty (120) days (ninety (90) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) after the date of receipt of the written application for review. If the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary determines that the extension of time is required, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary shall furnish to the claimant written notice of the extension before the expiration of the initial sixty (60) day (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary expects to render its decision on review. In the case of a decision adverse to the claimant, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary shall provide to the claimant written notice of the denial. Any such notice of an adverse benefit determination shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall include:

 

7.8.1 the specific reason or reasons for the adverse benefit determination;

 

7.8.2 specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the adverse benefit determination is based;

 

7.8.3 a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits;

 

7.8.4 a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following the adverse benefit determination on review;

 

7.8.5 a statement regarding the availability of other voluntary alternative dispute resolution options;

 

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7.8.6 in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(i) a description of any contractual limitations period that applies to the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA, including the calendar date on which the contractual limitations period expires for the claim;

 

(ii) a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: the views presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant, the views of medical or vocational professionals whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Claims Administrator in connection with a claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the determination, and a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(iii) if the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the Agreement to the claimant’s medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request; and

 

(iv) the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator relied upon in making the adverse determination, or a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria do not exist.

 

The Claims Administrator has the discretionary authority to determine all interpretative issues arising under this Agreement and the interpretations of the Claims Administrator shall be final and binding upon Executive or any other party claiming benefits under this Agreement.

 

7.9 Calculating Time Periods . The period of time within which a benefit determination initially or on review is required to be made shall begin at the time a claim or request for review is filed in accordance with the procedures of the Agreement, without regard to whether all the information necessary to make a benefit determination accompanies the filing. In the event that a period of time is extended due to the failure of a claimant to submit information necessary to decide a claim or review, the period for making the benefit determination shall be tolled from the date on which the notification of the extension is sent to the claimant until the date on which the claimant responds to the request for additional information.

 

7.10 Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Notices . With respect to any notices required to be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, the Claims Administrator shall provide (i) oral language services in the applicable non-English language (that include answering questions in any applicable non-English language and providing assistance with filing claims in any applicable non-English language), (ii) a statement in the applicable non-English language, prominently displayed on notices, explaining how to access language services and (iii) notices in the applicable non-English language upon request. For this purpose, a non-English language is an applicable non-English language if 10% or more of the population residing in the county for which the notice is sent is literate only in the same non-English language.

 

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7.11 Adjudication of Disability Benefit Claims: Independence and Impartiality . All claims and appeals with respect to benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability shall adjudicated in a manner designed to ensure the independence and impartiality of the persons involved in making the decision. Accordingly, decisions regarding hiring, compensation, termination, promotion, or other similar matters with respect to any individual (such as a claims adjudicator or medical or vocational expert) shall not be based upon the likelihood that the individual will support the denial of benefits.

 

7.12 Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Available under the Agreement .

 

7.12.1 In no event will Executive be entitled to challenge the Claims Administrator’s decision in court or any other proceeding unless and until these claims procedures are exhausted. The Executive then shall have one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of receipt of the Claims Administrator’s decision on appeal in which to file suit regarding a claim for benefits under this Agreement. If suit is not filed within such one hundred eighty (180)-day period, it shall be forever barred.

 

7.12.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, if the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, fails to strictly adhere to all the applicable requirements hereunder, the claimant is deemed to have exhausted the administrative remedies available under the Agreement, except as provided in the paragraph below with respect to de minimis violations. If the claimant chooses to pursue remedies under Section 502(a) of ERISA under such circumstances, the claim or appeal is deemed denied on review without the exercise of discretion by an appropriate fiduciary.

 

The administrative remedies available under the Agreement will not be deemed exhausted based on de minimis violations that do not cause, and are not likely to cause, prejudice or harm to the claimant, provided the Claims Administrator demonstrates that the violation was for good cause or due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator and that the violation occurred in the context of an ongoing, good faith exchange of information between the Claims Administrator and the claimant. A violation shall not be de minimis if it is part of a pattern or practice of violations by the Claims Administrator. The claimant may request a written explanation of the violation from the Claims Administrator, and the Claims Administrator must provide such explanation within ten (10) days, including a specific description of its bases, if any, for asserting that the violation should not cause the available administrative remedies to be deemed exhausted. If a court rejects the claimant’s request for immediate review on the basis that the Claims Administrator met the standards for the de minimis exception the claim shall be considered as refiled on appeal upon the Claims Administrator’s receipt of the court’s decision. Within a reasonable time after the receipt of the decision, the Claims Administrator shall provide the claimant with notice of the resubmission.

 

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7.13 Definitions . For purposes of the Agreement’s claims procedures, the following words and phrases shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

7.13.1 Adverse benefit determination ” means any of the following: a denial, reduction or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a benefit, including any such denial, reduction, termination, or failure to provide or make payment that is based on a determination of a claimant’s eligibility to participate in a plan and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, shall also mean any rescission of disability coverage with respect to a Participant or Beneficiary (whether or not there is an adverse effect on any particular benefit at that time), where rescission means a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage that has retroactive effect, except to the extent it is attributable to a failure to timely pay required premiums or contributions towards the cost of coverage.

 

7.13.2 Appeals Fiduciary ” means an individual or group of individuals appointed by the Claims Administrator to review appeals of claims for benefits payable due to the Executive experiencing a Disability.

 

7.13.3 Claims Administrator ” means the Board or such other person designated by the Board from time to time and named by notice to Executive.

 

7.13.4 A document, record, or other information shall be considered “ relevant ” to a claimant’s claim if such document, record, or other information (A) was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (B) was submitted, considered, or generated in the course of making the benefit determination, without regard to whether such document, record, or other information was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (C) demonstrates compliance with the administrative processes and safeguards required in making the benefit determination, or (D) in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, constitutes a statement of policy or guidance with respect to the Agreement concerning the denied treatment option or benefit for the claimant’s diagnosis, without regard to whether such advice or statement was relied upon in making the benefit determination.

 

7.14 Person Authorized to Act on Behalf of Claimant . The Claims Administrator may establish reasonable procedures to permit an authorized person to act on behalf of the claimant (and for determining whether a person has been authorized to act on behalf of a claimant).

 

Article 8
Amendments and Termination

 

8.1 Amendments . This Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. However, the Bank may unilaterally amend this Agreement to conform with written directives to the Bank from banking regulators or to comply with legislative changes or tax law, including without limitation Code Section 409A.

 

8.2 Plan Termination Generally . This Agreement may be terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. The benefit shall be the Accrual Balance as of the date this Agreement is terminated. Except as provided in Section 8.3, the termination of this Agreement shall not cause a distribution of benefits under this Agreement. Rather, upon such termination benefit distributions will be made at the earliest distribution event permitted under Article 2 or Article 3.

 

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8.3 Plan Terminations Under Code Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8.2, if the Bank irrevocably terminates this Agreement in the following circumstances:

 

(a) Within thirty (30) days before or twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, provided that all distributions are made no later than twelve (12) months following such irrevocable termination of this Agreement and further provided that all of the arrangements sponsored by the Bank that would be aggregated with this Agreement under Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c)(2) are terminated so the Executive and all participants under the other aggregated arrangements are required to receive all amounts of compensation deferred under the terminated arrangements within twelve (12) months of the date the Bank irrevocably takes all necessary action to terminate such arrangements;
(b) Within twelve (12) months of a dissolution of the Bank taxed under Section 331 of the Code or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §503(b)(1)(A), provided that the amounts deferred under this Agreement are included in the Executive’s gross income in the latest of (i) the calendar year in which this Agreement terminates; (ii) the calendar year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (iii) the first calendar year in which the distribution is administratively practicable; or
(c) Upon the Bank’s termination of this and all other arrangements that would be aggregated with this Agreement pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c) if the Executive participated in such arrangements (“Similar Arrangements”), provided that (i) the termination and liquidation does not occur proximate to a downturn in the financial health of the Bank, (ii) no payments are made within twelve (12) months of the termination of the arrangements other than payments that would be payable under the terms of the arrangements if the termination had not occurred, (iii) all termination distributions are made no later than twenty-four (24) months following such termination, and (iv) the Bank does not adopt any new arrangement that would be a Similar Arrangement for a minimum of three (3) years following the date the Bank takes all necessary action to irrevocably terminate and liquidate the Agreement;

 

the Bank may distribute the Accrual Balance, determined as of the date of the termination of this Agreement, to the Executive in a lump sum subject to the above terms.

 

Article 9
Miscellaneous

 

9.1 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall bind the Executive and the Bank and their beneficiaries, survivors, executors, administrators and transferees.

 

9.2 No Guarantee of Employment . This Agreement is not a contract for employment. It does not give the Executive the right to remain as an employee of the Bank nor interfere with the Bank’s right to discharge the Executive. It does not require the Executive to remain an employee nor interfere with the Executive’s right to terminate employment at any time.

 

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9.3 Non-Transferability . Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, attached or encumbered in any manner.

 

9.4 Tax Withholding and Reporting . The Bank shall withhold any taxes that are required to be withheld, including but not limited to taxes owed under Code Section 409A from the benefits provided under this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that the Bank’s sole liability regarding taxes is to forward any amounts withheld to the appropriate taxing authorities. The Bank shall satisfy all applicable reporting requirements, including those under Code Section 409A.

 

9.5 Applicable Law . This Agreement and all rights hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana, except to the extent that the laws of the United States of America are applicable.

 

9.6 Unfunded Arrangement . The Executive and the Beneficiary are general unsecured creditors of the Bank for the distribution of benefits under this Agreement. The benefits represent the mere promise by the Bank to distribute such benefits. The rights to benefits are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment by creditors. Any insurance on the Executive’s life or other informal funding asset is a general asset of the Bank to which the Executive and Beneficiary have no preferred or secured claim.

 

9.7 Reorganization . The Bank shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank, or reorganize, or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person unless such succeeding or continuing bank, firm or person agrees to assume and discharge the obligations of the Bank under this Agreement. Upon the occurrence of such an event, the term “Bank” as used in this Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the successor or survivor entity.

 

9.8 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive as to the subject matter hereof. No rights are granted to the Executive by virtue of this Agreement other than those specifically set forth herein.

 

9.9 Interpretation . Wherever the fulfillment of the intent and purpose of this Agreement requires and the context will permit, the use of the masculine gender includes the feminine and use of the singular includes the plural.

 

9.10 Alternative Action . In the event it shall become impossible for the Bank or the Plan Administrator to perform any act required by this Agreement due to regulatory or other constraints, the Bank or Plan Administrator may perform such alternative act as most nearly carries out the intent and purpose of this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Bank, provided that such alternative act does not violate Code Section 409A.

 

9.11 Headings . Article and section headings are for convenient reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision herein.

 

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9.12 Validity . If any provision of this Agreement shall be illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts hereof, but this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

9.13 Notice . Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Bank or Plan Administrator under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by registered or certified mail to the address below:

 

Board of Directors

Home Bank, N. A.

503 Kaliste Saloom

Lafayette, Louisiana 70508

 

Such notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification. Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Executive under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by mail to the last known address of the Executive.

 

9.14 Compliance with Section 409A . This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered consistent with Code Section 409A.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Bank have signed this Agreement.

 

EXECUTIVE   HOME BANK, N.A.
     

/s/ John W. Bordelon

  By: /s/ Michael P. Maraist
John W. Bordelon   Title: Chairmen of the Board

 

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Exhibit 10.10

 

HOME BANK
SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is adopted effective as of the 20 th day of May, 2019, by and between HOME BANK, a national bank, located in Lafayette, Louisiana (the “Bank”), and JASON P. FREYOU (the “Executive”).

 

WITNESSETH :

 

WHEREAS, the purpose of this Agreement is to provide specified benefits to the Executive, a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees who contribute materially to the continued growth, development and future business success of the Bank; and this Agreement shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended from time to time.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the Bank and the Executive as follows:

 

Article 1
Definitions

 

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings specified:

 

1.1 Accrual Balance ” means the liability that should be accrued by the Bank, under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), for the Bank’s obligation to the Executive under this Agreement, by applying Accounting Principles Board Opinion Number 12 (“APB 12”) as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 106 (“FAS 106”) and the Discount Rate. Any one of a variety of amortization methods may be used to determine the Accrual Balance. However, once chosen, the method must be consistently applied.

 

1.2 Beneficiary ” means each designated person or entity, or the estate of the deceased Executive, entitled to any benefits upon the death of the Executive pursuant to Article 4.

 

1.3 Beneficiary Designation Form ” means the form established from time to time by the Plan Administrator that the Executive completes, signs and returns to the Plan Administrator to designate one or more Beneficiaries.

 

1.4 Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Bank as from time to time constituted.

 

1.5 Change in Control ” means a change in the ownership of the Bank, a change in the effective control of the Bank or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Bank, in each case as provided under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder, provided that any mutual to stock conversion of the Bank shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control, and provided further that following any mutual to stock conversion of the Bank, all references to the Bank in this Section 1.5 shall also include any holding company for the Bank formed in connection with such conversion.

 

1.6 Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all regulations and guidance thereunder, including such regulations and guidance as may be promulgated after the Effective Date.

 

 

 

 

1.7 Disability ” means the Executive: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees or directors of the Bank. Medical determination of Disability may be made by either the Social Security Administration or by the provider of disability insurance covering employees or directors of the Bank, provided that the definition of “disability” applied under such insurance program complies with the requirements of the preceding sentence. Upon the request of the Plan Administrator, the Executive must submit proof to the Plan Administrator of the Social Security Administration’s or the provider’s determination.

 

1.8 Discount Rate ” means the rate used by the Plan Administrator for determining the Accrual Balance. The initial Discount Rate is four percent (4%). However, the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, may adjust the Discount Rate to maintain the rate within reasonable standards according to GAAP and/or applicable bank regulatory guidance.

 

1.9 Early Termination ” means the Executive’s Separation from Service before attainment of Normal Retirement Age except when such Separation from Service occurs on or within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, because the Executive experiences a Disability, or due to Termination for Cause.

 

1.10 Effective Date ” means May 20, 2019.

 

1.11 ERISA ” means the Employee Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and all regulations and guidance thereunder, including such regulations and guidance as may be promulgated after the Effective Date.

 

1.12 Normal Retirement Age ” means the date the Executive reaches age sixty-five (65).

 

1.13 Plan Administrator ” means the Board or such committee or person as the Board shall appoint.

 

1.14 Plan Year ” means each twelve (12) month period commencing on August 1 and ending on July 31 of each year.

 

1.15 Separation from Service ” means termination of the Executive’s employment with the Bank. Whether a Separation from Service has occurred shall be determined in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the Bank and the Executive reasonably anticipated that no further services would be performed after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services the Executive would perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or the full period of services to the Bank if the Executive has been providing services to the Bank less than thirty-six (36) months). In the event the Bank converts from mutual to stock form and forms a holding company in connection with such conversion, then all references to the Bank in this Section 1.15 shall also include such holding company, so that any services which the Executive provides to such holding company shall be taken into account for purposes of determining whether or not a Separation from Service has occurred.

 

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1.16 Specified Employee ” means an employee who at the time of Separation from Service is a key employee of the Bank or of any holding company for the Bank, if any stock of the Bank or any such holding company is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement, an employee is a key employee if the employee meets the requirements of Code Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and disregarding Section 416(i)(5)) at any time during the twelve (12) month period ending on December 31 of any year (the “identification period”). If the employee is a key employee during an identification period, the employee is treated as a key employee for purposes of this Agreement during the twelve (12) month period that begins on the first day of April following the close of the identification period.

 

1.17 Termination for Cause ” means Separation from Service due to the Executive’s:

 

(a) Gross negligence or gross neglect of duties to the Bank;
(b) Conviction of a felony or of a gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude in connection with the Executive’s employment with the Bank; or
(c) Personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease-and-desist order.

 

1.18 Vesting Percentage ” means the percentage determined under the following vesting schedule based on the Executive’s Years of Vesting Service:

 

Years of Vesting Service   Vesting Percentage  
Less than 6     0 %
6     20 %
7     40 %
8     60 %
9     80 %
10 or more     100 %

 

1.19 Years of Vesting Service ” means, for vesting purposes, the number of full twelve (12)-month periods, commencing with the Executive’s most recent hire date, during which the Executive remains in continuous service with the Bank. For purposes of determining vesting, all Years of Vesting Service with the Bank shall be counted regardless of whether such service occurred before or after the Effective Date of this Agreement.

 

Article 2
Distributions During Lifetime

 

2.1 Normal Retirement Benefit . Following a Separation from Service on or after the Executive’s Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.1 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.1.1 Amount of Benefit . The annual benefit under this Section 2.1 is Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000).

 

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2.1.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the annual benefit to the Executive in twelve (12) equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following a Separation from Service on or after Normal Retirement Age, subject to Section 2.5 hereof. The annual benefit shall be distributed to the Executive for ten (10) years.

 

2.2 Early Termination Benefit . If Early Termination occurs, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.2 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.2.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.2 is an amount equal to the product of the Executive’s Accrual Balance, as of the end of the Plan Year immediately preceding Executive’s Separation from Service, multiplied by the Executive’s Vesting Percentage.

 

2.2.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Executive’s Separation from Service, subject to Section 2.5 hereof.

 

2.3 Disability Benefit . If the Executive experiences a Disability prior to (a) a Separation from Service on or after Normal Retirement Age or (b) Early Termination, and other than on or within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.3 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.3.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.3 is an amount equal to the Accrual Balance as of the date the Executive experiences a Disability.

 

2.3.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Executive’s Separation from Service.

 

2.4 Change in Control Benefit . If a Change in Control occurs, followed within twenty-four (24) months by a Separation from Service prior to Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.4 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.4.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.4 is an amount equal to the greater of (i) the Accrual Balance as of the end of the Plan Year immediately preceding Executive’s Separation from Service or (ii) Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000).

 

2.4.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Executive’s Separation from Service, subject to Section 2.5 hereof.

 

2.4.3 Parachute Payments . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, and to the extent allowed by Code Section 409A, if any benefit payment under this Section 2.4 would be treated as an “excess parachute payment” under Code Section 280G, the Bank shall reduce such benefit payment to the extent necessary to avoid treating such benefit payment as an excess parachute payment.

 

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2.5 Restriction on Commencement of Distributions . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is considered a Specified Employee, the provisions of this Section 2.5 shall govern all distributions hereunder. If benefit distributions which would otherwise be made to the Executive due to a Separation from Service are limited because the Executive is a Specified Employee, then such distributions shall not be made during the first six (6) months following the Separation from Service. Rather, any distribution which would otherwise be paid to the Executive during such period shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the lapse of six months after the Separation from Service. All subsequent distributions shall be paid in the manner specified.

 

2.6 Distributions Upon Taxation of Amounts Deferred . If, pursuant to Code Section 409A or other state, local or foreign tax, the Executive becomes subject to tax on the amounts deferred hereunder, then the Bank shall make a limited distribution to the Executive in a manner that conforms to the requirements of Code Section 409A. Any such distribution will decrease the Executive’s benefits distributable under this Agreement.

 

2.7 Change in Form or Timing of Distributions . For distribution of benefits under this Article 2, the Executive and the Bank may, subject to the terms of Section 8.1, amend this Agreement to delay the timing or change the form of distributions. Any such amendment:

 

(a) may not accelerate the time or schedule of any distribution, except as provided in Code Section 409A;
(b) must, for benefits distributable under Sections 2.1 and 2.2, be made at least twelve (12) months prior to the first scheduled distribution;
(c) must, for benefits distributable under Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4, delay the commencement of distributions for a minimum of five (5) years from the date the first distribution was originally scheduled to be made; and
(d) must take effect not less than twelve (12) months after the amendment is made.

 

Article 3
Distribution at Death

 

3.1 Death During Active Service . If the Executive dies prior to a Separation from Service, experiencing a Disability, or Normal Retirement Age, then no benefits shall be paid under this Agreement.

 

3.2 Death During Distribution of a Benefit . If the Executive dies after the occurrence of any event triggering the Executive’s entitlement to a benefit under Article 2 and prior to payment of the entire Accrual Balance, the Bank shall distribute to the Beneficiary an amount equal to the remaining Accrual Balance at the same time and in the same amounts it would have been distributed to the Executive had the Executive survived.

 

3.3 Death Before Benefit Distributions Commence . If the Executive is entitled to benefit distributions under this Agreement but dies prior to the date that commencement of said benefit distributions are scheduled to be made under this Agreement, the Bank shall distribute to the Beneficiary the same benefits to which the Executive was entitled prior to death, except that the benefit distributions shall commence on the earlier of (a) the first day of the fourth month following the Executive’s death, or (b) the date the benefits would have commenced if the Executive had not died.

 

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Article 4
Beneficiaries

 

4.1 In General . The Executive shall have the right, at any time, to designate a Beneficiary to receive any benefit distributions under this Agreement upon the death of the Executive. The Beneficiary designated under this Agreement may be the same as or different from the beneficiary designated under any other plan of the Bank in which the Executive participates.

 

4.2 Designation . The Executive shall designate a Beneficiary by completing and signing the Beneficiary Designation Form and delivering it to the Plan Administrator or its designated agent. If the Executive names someone other than the Executive’s spouse as a Beneficiary, the Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, determine that spousal consent is required to be provided in a form designated by the Plan Administrator, executed by the Executive’s spouse and returned to the Plan Administrator. The Executive’s beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases the Executive or if the Executive names a spouse as Beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved. The Executive shall have the right to change a Beneficiary by completing, signing and otherwise complying with the terms of the Beneficiary Designation Form and the Plan Administrator’s rules and procedures. Upon the acceptance by the Plan Administrator of a new Beneficiary Designation Form, all Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be cancelled. The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to rely on the last Beneficiary Designation Form filed by the Executive and accepted by the Plan Administrator prior to the Executive’s death.

 

4.3 Acknowledgment . No designation or change in designation of a Beneficiary shall be effective until received, accepted and acknowledged in writing by the Plan Administrator or its designated agent.

 

4.4 No Beneficiary Designation . If the Executive dies without a valid beneficiary designation, or if all designated Beneficiaries predecease the Executive, then the Executive’s spouse shall be the designated Beneficiary. If the Executive has no surviving spouse, any benefit shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.

 

4.5 Facility of Distribution . If the Plan Administrator determines in its discretion that a benefit is to be distributed to a minor, to a person declared incompetent or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of that person’s property, the Plan Administrator may direct distribution of such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care or custody of such minor, incompetent person or incapable person. The Plan Administrator may require proof of incompetence, minority or guardianship as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit. Any distribution of a benefit shall be a distribution for the account of the Executive and the Beneficiary, as the case may be, and shall completely discharge any liability under this Agreement for such distribution amount.

 

Article 5
General Limitations

 

5.1 Termination for Cause . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive’s employment with the Bank is terminated by the Bank or an applicable regulator due to a Termination for Cause.

 

5.2 Suicide or Misstatement . No benefit shall be distributed if the Executive commits suicide within two (2) years after the Effective Date, or if an insurance company which issued a life insurance policy covering the Executive and owned by the Bank denies coverage (i) for material misstatements of fact made by the Executive on an application for such life insurance, or (ii) for any other reason.

 

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5.3 Removal . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive is subject to a final removal or prohibition order issued by an appropriate federal banking agency pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, shall be subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. §1828 and FDIC Regulation 12 C.F.R. Part 359, Golden Parachute Indemnification Payments and any other regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

Article 6
Administration of Agreement

 

6.1 Plan Administrator Duties . The Plan Administrator shall administer this Agreement according to its express terms and shall also have the discretion and authority to (i) make, amend, interpret and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Agreement and (ii) decide or resolve any and all questions, including interpretations of this Agreement, as may arise in connection with this Agreement to the extent the exercise of such discretion and authority does not conflict with Code Section 409A.

 

6.2 Agents . In the administration of this Agreement, the Plan Administrator may employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as the Plan Administrator sees fit, including acting through a duly appointed representative, and may from time to time consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Bank.

 

6.3 Binding Effect of Decisions . Any decision or action of the Plan Administrator with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation or application of this Agreement and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in this Agreement.

 

6.4 Indemnity of Plan Administrator . The Bank shall indemnify and hold harmless the Plan Administrator against any and all claims, losses, damages, expenses or liabilities arising from any action or failure to act with respect to this Agreement, except in the case of willful misconduct by the Plan Administrator.

 

6.5 Bank Information . To enable the Plan Administrator to perform its functions, the Bank shall supply full and timely information to the Plan Administrator on all matters relating to the date and circumstances of the Executive’s death, Disability or Separation from Service, and such other pertinent information as the Plan Administrator may reasonably require.

 

6.6 Annual Statement . The Plan Administrator shall provide to the Executive, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Plan Year, a statement setting forth the benefits to be distributed under this Agreement.

 

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Article 7
Claims And Review Procedures

 

7.1 Notice of Denial .

 

7.1.1 If Executive or a Beneficiary (a “ claimant ”) is denied a claim for benefits under this Agreement, the Claims Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the adverse benefit determination (whether such claim is denied in whole or in part) within a reasonable period of time but no later than ninety (90) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. However, under special circumstances (to be determined by the Claims Administrator), the Claims Administrator may extend the time for processing the claim to a day no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. The claimant shall be notified in writing within the initial 90-day period of the need to extend the time for review, the special circumstances requiring an extension, and the date by which a decision is expected.

 

7.1.2 With respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, the Claims Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the adverse benefit determination within a reasonable period of time but no later than forty-five (45) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. This 45-day period may be extended up to thirty (30) days if an extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator (to be determined by the Claims Administrator) and the claimant is notified, prior to the expiration of the initial 45-day period, of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Claims Administrator expects to render a decision. If, prior to the end of the first 30-day extension period, the Claims Administrator determines that, due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator (to be determined by the Claims Administrator), a decision cannot be rendered within that extension period, the period for making the determination may be extended for up to an additional thirty (30) days, provided that the Claims Administrator notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the initial 30-day extension period, of the circumstances requiring the extension and the date as of which the Claims Administrator expects to render a decision. In the case of any such extension, the notice of extension shall also specifically explain the standards on which entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim, and the additional information needed to resolve those issues, and the claimant shall have at least forty-five (45) days within which to provide the specified information, if any.

 

7.2 Contents of Notice of Denial . If a claimant is denied a claim for benefits under this Agreement, the Claims Administrator shall provide to such claimant written notice of the denial. Any such notice of an adverse benefit determination shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall set forth:

 

7.2.1 the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

 

7.2.2 specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based;

 

7.2.3 a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary;

 

7.2.4 an explanation of this Agreement’s claim review procedures, and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review;

 

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7.2.5 in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(i) a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: the views presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant, the views of medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Claims Administrator in connection with a claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the benefit determination, and a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(ii) if the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the Agreement to the claimant’s medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request in writing;

 

(iii) the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator relied upon in making the adverse determination, or, alternatively, a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator do not exist; and

 

(iv) a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits.

 

7.3 Right to Review . After receiving written notice of the denial of a claim, a claimant or his representative shall be entitled to:

 

7.3.1 submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the denied claim to the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable; and

 

7.3.2 request, free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim

 

7.3.3 request a full and fair review of the denial of the claim by written application to the Claims Administrator (or Appeals Fiduciary in the case of a claim for benefits payable due to Executive experiencing a Disability), which shall include:

 

(i) a review that takes into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination; and

 

(ii) in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

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(1)       before issuing an adverse benefit determination on review, providing the claimant, free of charge with any new or additional evidence considered, relied upon, or generated by the Claims Administrator or other person making the benefit determination (or at the direction of the Claims Administrator or such other person) in connection with the claim as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided to give the claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date; and

 

(2)       before issuing an adverse benefit determination on review based on a new or additional rationale, providing the claimant, free of charge, with the rationale as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided to give the claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date.

 

7.4 Application for Review .

 

7.4.1 If a claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement, other than a claim described in Section 7.4.2, he must submit the written application to the Claims Administrator within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

7.4.2 If the claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement due to Executive experiencing a Disability, he must submit the written application to the Appeals Fiduciary within one hundred eighty (180) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

7.5 Hearing . Upon receiving such written application for review, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, may schedule a hearing for purposes of reviewing the claimant’s claim, which hearing shall take place not more than thirty (30) days from the date on which the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary received such written application for review.

 

7.6 Notice of Hearing . At least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled hearing, the claimant and his representative designated in writing by him, if any, shall receive written notice of the date, time, and place of such scheduled hearing. The claimant or his representative, if any, may request that the hearing be rescheduled, for his convenience, on another reasonable date or at another reasonable time or place.

 

7.7 Counsel . All claimants requesting a review of the decision denying their claim for benefits may employ counsel for purposes of the hearing.

 

7.8 Decision on Review . No later than sixty (60) days (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) following the receipt of the written application for review, the Claims Administrator or the Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, shall submit its decision on the review in writing to the claimant involved and to his representative, if any, unless the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary determines that special circumstances (such as the need to hold a hearing) require an extension of time, to a day no later than one hundred twenty (120) days (ninety (90) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) after the date of receipt of the written application for review. If the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary determines that the extension of time is required, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary shall furnish to the claimant written notice of the extension before the expiration of the initial sixty (60) day (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary expects to render its decision on review. In the case of a decision adverse to the claimant, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary shall provide to the claimant written notice of the denial. Any such notice of an adverse benefit determination shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall include:

 

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7.8.1 the specific reason or reasons for the adverse benefit determination;

 

7.8.2 specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the adverse benefit determination is based;

 

7.8.3 a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits;

 

7.8.4 a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following the adverse benefit determination on review;

 

7.8.5 a statement regarding the availability of other voluntary alternative dispute resolution options;

 

7.8.6 in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(i) a description of any contractual limitations period that applies to the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA, including the calendar date on which the contractual limitations period expires for the claim;

 

(ii) a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: the views presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant, the views of medical or vocational professionals whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Claims Administrator in connection with a claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the determination, and a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(iii) if the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the Agreement to the claimant’s medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request; and

 

(iv) the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator relied upon in making the adverse determination, or a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria do not exist.

 

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The Claims Administrator has the discretionary authority to determine all interpretative issues arising under this Agreement and the interpretations of the Claims Administrator shall be final and binding upon Executive or any other party claiming benefits under this Agreement.

 

7.9 Calculating Time Periods . The period of time within which a benefit determination initially or on review is required to be made shall begin at the time a claim or request for review is filed in accordance with the procedures of the Agreement, without regard to whether all the information necessary to make a benefit determination accompanies the filing. In the event that a period of time is extended due to the failure of a claimant to submit information necessary to decide a claim or review, the period for making the benefit determination shall be tolled from the date on which the notification of the extension is sent to the claimant until the date on which the claimant responds to the request for additional information.

 

7.10 Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Notices . With respect to any notices required to be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, the Claims Administrator shall provide (i) oral language services in the applicable non-English language (that include answering questions in any applicable non-English language and providing assistance with filing claims in any applicable non-English language), (ii) a statement in the applicable non-English language, prominently displayed on notices, explaining how to access language services and (iii) notices in the applicable non-English language upon request. For this purpose, a non-English language is an applicable non-English language if 10% or more of the population residing in the county for which the notice is sent is literate only in the same non-English language.

 

7.11 Adjudication of Disability Benefit Claims: Independence and Impartiality . All claims and appeals with respect to benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability shall adjudicated in a manner designed to ensure the independence and impartiality of the persons involved in making the decision. Accordingly, decisions regarding hiring, compensation, termination, promotion, or other similar matters with respect to any individual (such as a claims adjudicator or medical or vocational expert) shall not be based upon the likelihood that the individual will support the denial of benefits.

 

7.12 Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Available under the Agreement .

 

7.12.1 In no event will Executive be entitled to challenge the Claims Administrator’s decision in court or any other proceeding unless and until these claims procedures are exhausted. The Executive then shall have one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of receipt of the Claims Administrator’s decision on appeal in which to file suit regarding a claim for benefits under this Agreement. If suit is not filed within such one hundred eighty (180)-day period, it shall be forever barred.

 

7.12.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, if the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, fails to strictly adhere to all the applicable requirements hereunder, the claimant is deemed to have exhausted the administrative remedies available under the Agreement, except as provided in the paragraph below with respect to de minimis violations. If the claimant chooses to pursue remedies under Section 502(a) of ERISA under such circumstances, the claim or appeal is deemed denied on review without the exercise of discretion by an appropriate fiduciary.

 

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The administrative remedies available under the Agreement will not be deemed exhausted based on de minimis violations that do not cause, and are not likely to cause, prejudice or harm to the claimant, provided the Claims Administrator demonstrates that the violation was for good cause or due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator and that the violation occurred in the context of an ongoing, good faith exchange of information between the Claims Administrator and the claimant. A violation shall not be de minimis if it is part of a pattern or practice of violations by the Claims Administrator. The claimant may request a written explanation of the violation from the Claims Administrator, and the Claims Administrator must provide such explanation within ten (10) days, including a specific description of its bases, if any, for asserting that the violation should not cause the available administrative remedies to be deemed exhausted. If a court rejects the claimant’s request for immediate review on the basis that the Claims Administrator met the standards for the de minimis exception the claim shall be considered as refiled on appeal upon the Claims Administrator’s receipt of the court’s decision. Within a reasonable time after the receipt of the decision, the Claims Administrator shall provide the claimant with notice of the resubmission.

 

7.13 Definitions . For purposes of the Agreement’s claims procedures, the following words and phrases shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

7.13.1 Adverse benefit determination ” means any of the following: a denial, reduction or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a benefit, including any such denial, reduction, termination, or failure to provide or make payment that is based on a determination of a claimant’s eligibility to participate in a plan and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, shall also mean any rescission of disability coverage with respect to a Participant or Beneficiary (whether or not there is an adverse effect on any particular benefit at that time), where rescission means a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage that has retroactive effect, except to the extent it is attributable to a failure to timely pay required premiums or contributions towards the cost of coverage.

 

7.13.2 Appeals Fiduciary ” means an individual or group of individuals appointed by the Claims Administrator to review appeals of claims for benefits payable due to the Executive experiencing a Disability.

 

7.13.3 Claims Administrator ” means the Board or such other person designated by the Board from time to time and named by notice to Executive.

 

7.13.4 A document, record, or other information shall be considered “ relevant ” to a claimant’s claim if such document, record, or other information (A) was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (B) was submitted, considered, or generated in the course of making the benefit determination, without regard to whether such document, record, or other information was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (C) demonstrates compliance with the administrative processes and safeguards required in making the benefit determination, or (D) in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, constitutes a statement of policy or guidance with respect to the Agreement concerning the denied treatment option or benefit for the claimant’s diagnosis, without regard to whether such advice or statement was relied upon in making the benefit determination.

 

7.14 Person Authorized to Act on Behalf of Claimant . The Claims Administrator may establish reasonable procedures to permit an authorized person to act on behalf of the claimant (and for determining whether a person has been authorized to act on behalf of a claimant).

 

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Article 8
Amendments and Termination

 

8.1 Amendments . This Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. However, the Bank may unilaterally amend this Agreement to conform with written directives to the Bank from banking regulators or to comply with legislative changes or tax law, including without limitation Code Section 409A.

 

8.2 Plan Termination Generally . This Agreement may be terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. The benefit shall be the Accrual Balance as of the date this Agreement is terminated. Except as provided in Section 8.3, the termination of this Agreement shall not cause a distribution of benefits under this Agreement. Rather, upon such termination benefit distributions will be made at the earliest distribution event permitted under Article 2 or Article 3.

 

8.3 Plan Terminations Under Code Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8.2, if the Bank irrevocably terminates this Agreement in the following circumstances:

 

(a) Within thirty (30) days before or twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, provided that all distributions are made no later than twelve (12) months following such irrevocable termination of this Agreement and further provided that all of the arrangements sponsored by the Bank that would be aggregated with this Agreement under Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c)(2) are terminated so the Executive and all participants under the other aggregated arrangements are required to receive all amounts of compensation deferred under the terminated arrangements within twelve (12) months of the date the Bank irrevocably takes all necessary action to terminate such arrangements;
     
(b) Within twelve (12) months of a dissolution of the Bank taxed under Section 331 of the Code or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §503(b)(1)(A), provided that the amounts deferred under this Agreement are included in the Executive’s gross income in the latest of (i) the calendar year in which this Agreement terminates; (ii) the calendar year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (iii) the first calendar year in which the distribution is administratively practicable; or
     
(c) Upon the Bank’s termination of this and all other arrangements that would be aggregated with this Agreement pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c) if the Executive participated in such arrangements (“Similar Arrangements”), provided that (i) the termination and liquidation does not occur proximate to a downturn in the financial health of the Bank, (ii) no payments are made within twelve (12) months of the termination of the arrangements other than payments that would be payable under the terms of the arrangements if the termination had not occurred, (iii) all termination distributions are made no later than twenty-four (24) months following such termination, and (iv) the Bank does not adopt any new arrangement that would be a Similar Arrangement for a minimum of three (3) years following the date the Bank takes all necessary action to irrevocably terminate and liquidate the Agreement;

 

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the Bank may distribute the Accrual Balance, determined as of the date of the termination of this Agreement, to the Executive in a lump sum subject to the above terms.

 

Article 9
Miscellaneous

 

9.1 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall bind the Executive and the Bank and their beneficiaries, survivors, executors, administrators and transferees.

 

9.2 No Guarantee of Employment . This Agreement is not a contract for employment. It does not give the Executive the right to remain as an employee of the Bank nor interfere with the Bank’s right to discharge the Executive. It does not require the Executive to remain an employee nor interfere with the Executive’s right to terminate employment at any time.

 

9.3 Non-Transferability . Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, attached or encumbered in any manner.

 

9.4 Tax Withholding and Reporting . The Bank shall withhold any taxes that are required to be withheld, including but not limited to taxes owed under Code Section 409A from the benefits provided under this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that the Bank’s sole liability regarding taxes is to forward any amounts withheld to the appropriate taxing authorities. The Bank shall satisfy all applicable reporting requirements, including those under Code Section 409A.

 

9.5 Applicable Law . This Agreement and all rights hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana, except to the extent that the laws of the United States of America are applicable.

 

9.6 Unfunded Arrangement . The Executive and the Beneficiary are general unsecured creditors of the Bank for the distribution of benefits under this Agreement. The benefits represent the mere promise by the Bank to distribute such benefits. The rights to benefits are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment by creditors. Any insurance on the Executive’s life or other informal funding asset is a general asset of the Bank to which the Executive and Beneficiary have no preferred or secured claim.

 

9.7 Reorganization . The Bank shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank, or reorganize, or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person unless such succeeding or continuing bank, firm or person agrees to assume and discharge the obligations of the Bank under this Agreement. Upon the occurrence of such an event, the term “Bank” as used in this Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the successor or survivor entity.

 

9.8 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive as to the subject matter hereof. No rights are granted to the Executive by virtue of this Agreement other than those specifically set forth herein.

 

9.9 Interpretation . Wherever the fulfillment of the intent and purpose of this Agreement requires and the context will permit, the use of the masculine gender includes the feminine and use of the singular includes the plural.

 

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9.10 Alternative Action . In the event it shall become impossible for the Bank or the Plan Administrator to perform any act required by this Agreement due to regulatory or other constraints, the Bank or Plan Administrator may perform such alternative act as most nearly carries out the intent and purpose of this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Bank, provided that such alternative act does not violate Code Section 409A.

 

9.11 Headings . Article and section headings are for convenient reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision herein.

 

9.12 Validity . If any provision of this Agreement shall be illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts hereof, but this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

9.13 Notice . Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Bank or Plan Administrator under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by registered or certified mail to the address below:

 

Board of Directors

Home Bank, N.A.

503 Kaliste Saloom

Lafayette, Louisiana 70508

 

Such notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification. Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Executive under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by mail to the last known address of the Executive.

 

9.14 Compliance with Section 409A . This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered consistent with Code Section 409A.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Bank have signed this Agreement.

 

EXECUTIVE   HOME BANK, N.A.
       
/s/ Jason P. Freyou     By: /s/ John W. Bordelon
Jason P. Freyou   Title: President & CEO

 

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Exhibit 10.11

 

HOME BANK, N. A.
SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is adopted effective as of the 20 th day of May, 2019, by and between HOME BANK, a national bank, located in Lafayette, Louisiana (the “Bank”), and SCOTT A. RIDLEY (the “Executive”).

 

WITNESSETH :

 

WHEREAS, the purpose of this Agreement is to provide specified benefits to the Executive, a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees who contribute materially to the continued growth, development and future business success of the Bank; and this Agreement shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended from time to time.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the Bank and the Executive as follows:

 

Article 1
Definitions

 

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings specified:

 

1.1 Accrual Balance ” means the liability that should be accrued by the Bank, under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), for the Bank’s obligation to the Executive under this Agreement, by applying Accounting Principles Board Opinion Number 12 (“APB 12”) as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 106 (“FAS 106”) and the Discount Rate. Any one of a variety of amortization methods may be used to determine the Accrual Balance. However, once chosen, the method must be consistently applied.

 

1.2 Beneficiary ” means each designated person or entity, or the estate of the deceased Executive, entitled to any benefits upon the death of the Executive pursuant to Article 4.

 

1.3 Beneficiary Designation Form ” means the form established from time to time by the Plan Administrator that the Executive completes, signs and returns to the Plan Administrator to designate one or more Beneficiaries.

 

1.4 Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Bank as from time to time constituted.

 

1.5 Change in Control ” means a change in the ownership of the Bank, a change in the effective control of the Bank or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Bank, in each case as provided under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder, provided that any mutual to stock conversion of the Bank shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control, and provided further that following any mutual to stock conversion of the Bank, all references to the Bank in this Section 1.5 shall also include any holding company for the Bank formed in connection with such conversion.

 

1.6 Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all regulations and guidance thereunder, including such regulations and guidance as may be promulgated after the Effective Date.

 

 

 

 

1.7 Disability ” means the Executive: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees or directors of the Bank. Medical determination of Disability may be made by either the Social Security Administration or by the provider of disability insurance covering employees or directors of the Bank, provided that the definition of “disability” applied under such insurance program complies with the requirements of the preceding sentence. Upon the request of the Plan Administrator, the Executive must submit proof to the Plan Administrator of the Social Security Administration’s or the provider’s determination.

 

1.8 Discount Rate ” means the rate used by the Plan Administrator for determining the Accrual Balance. The initial Discount Rate is four percent (4%). However, the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, may adjust the Discount Rate to maintain the rate within reasonable standards according to GAAP and/or applicable bank regulatory guidance.

 

1.9 Early Termination ” means the Executive’s Separation from Service before attainment of Normal Retirement Age except when such Separation from Service occurs on or within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, because the Executive experiences a Disability, or due to Termination for Cause.

 

1.10 Effective Date ” means May 20, 2019.

 

1.11 ERISA ” means the Employee Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and all regulations and guidance thereunder, including such regulations and guidance as may be promulgated after the Effective Date.

 

1.12 Normal Retirement Age ” means the date the Executive reaches age sixty-five (65).

 

1.13 Plan Administrator ” means the Board or such committee or person as the Board shall appoint.

 

1.14 Plan Year ” means each twelve (12) month period commencing on August 1 and ending on July 31 of each year.

 

1.15 Separation from Service ” means termination of the Executive’s employment with the Bank. Whether a Separation from Service has occurred shall be determined in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the Bank and the Executive reasonably anticipated that no further services would be performed after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services the Executive would perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or the full period of services to the Bank if the Executive has been providing services to the Bank less than thirty-six (36) months). In the event the Bank converts from mutual to stock form and forms a holding company in connection with such conversion, then all references to the Bank in this Section 1.15 shall also include such holding company, so that any services which the Executive provides to such holding company shall be taken into account for purposes of determining whether or not a Separation from Service has occurred.

 

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1.16 Specified Employee ” means an employee who at the time of Separation from Service is a key employee of the Bank or of any holding company for the Bank, if any stock of the Bank or any such holding company is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement, an employee is a key employee if the employee meets the requirements of Code Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and disregarding Section 416(i)(5)) at any time during the twelve (12) month period ending on December 31 of any year (the “identification period”). If the employee is a key employee during an identification period, the employee is treated as a key employee for purposes of this Agreement during the twelve (12) month period that begins on the first day of April following the close of the identification period.

 

1.17 Termination for Cause ” means Separation from Service due to the Executive’s:

 

(a) Gross negligence or gross neglect of duties to the Bank;
(b) Conviction of a felony or of a gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude in connection with the Executive’s employment with the Bank; or
(c) Personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease-and-desist order.

 

1.18 Vesting Percentage ” means the percentage determined under the following vesting schedule based on the Executive’s Years of Vesting Service:

 

Years of Vesting Service   Vesting Percentage  
Less than 6     0 %
6     20 %
7     40 %
8     60 %
9     80 %
10 or more     100 %

 

1.19 Years of Vesting Service ” means, for vesting purposes, the number of full twelve (12)-month periods, commencing with the Executive’s most recent hire date, during which the Executive remains in continuous service with the Bank. For purposes of determining vesting, all Years of Vesting Service with the Bank shall be counted regardless of whether such service occurred before or after the Effective Date of this Agreement.

 

Article 2
Distributions During Lifetime

 

2.1 Normal Retirement Benefit . Following a Separation from Service on or after the Executive’s Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.1 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.1.1 Amount of Benefit . The annual benefit under this Section 2.1 is Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000).

 

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2.1.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the annual benefit to the Executive in twelve (12) equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following a Separation from Service on or after Normal Retirement Age, subject to Section 2.5 hereof. The annual benefit shall be distributed to the Executive for ten (10) years.

 

2.2 Early Termination Benefit . If Early Termination occurs, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.2 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.2.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.2 is an amount equal to the product of the Executive’s Accrual Balance, as of the end of the Plan Year immediately preceding Executive’s Separation from Service, multiplied by the Executive’s Vesting Percentage.

 

2.2.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Executive’s Separation from Service, subject to Section 2.5 hereof.

 

2.3 Disability Benefit . If the Executive experiences a Disability prior to (a) a Separation from Service on or after Normal Retirement Age or (b) Early Termination, and other than on or within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.3 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.3.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.3 is an amount equal to the Accrual Balance as of the date the Executive experiences a Disability.

 

2.3.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Executive’s Separation from Service.

 

2.4 Change in Control Benefit . If a Change in Control occurs, followed within twenty-four (24) months by a Separation from Service prior to Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.4 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.4.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.4 is an amount equal to the greater of (i) the Accrual Balance as of the end of the Plan Year immediately preceding Executive’s Separation from Service or (ii) Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000).

 

2.4.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Executive’s Separation from Service, subject to Section 2.5 hereof.

 

2.4.3 Parachute Payments . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, and to the extent allowed by Code Section 409A, if any benefit payment under this Section 2.4 would be treated as an “excess parachute payment” under Code Section 280G, the Bank shall reduce such benefit payment to the extent necessary to avoid treating such benefit payment as an excess parachute payment.

 

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2.5 Restriction on Commencement of Distributions . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is considered a Specified Employee, the provisions of this Section 2.5 shall govern all distributions hereunder. If benefit distributions which would otherwise be made to the Executive due to a Separation from Service are limited because the Executive is a Specified Employee, then such distributions shall not be made during the first six (6) months following the Separation from Service. Rather, any distribution which would otherwise be paid to the Executive during such period shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the lapse of six months after the Separation from Service. All subsequent distributions shall be paid in the manner specified.

 

2.6 Distributions Upon Taxation of Amounts Deferred . If, pursuant to Code Section 409A or other state, local or foreign tax, the Executive becomes subject to tax on the amounts deferred hereunder, then the Bank shall make a limited distribution to the Executive in a manner that conforms to the requirements of Code Section 409A. Any such distribution will decrease the Executive’s benefits distributable under this Agreement.

 

2.7 Change in Form or Timing of Distributions . For distribution of benefits under this Article 2, the Executive and the Bank may, subject to the terms of Section 8.1, amend this Agreement to delay the timing or change the form of distributions. Any such amendment:

 

(a) may not accelerate the time or schedule of any distribution, except as provided in Code Section 409A;
(b) must, for benefits distributable under Sections 2.1 and 2.2, be made at least twelve (12) months prior to the first scheduled distribution;
(c) must, for benefits distributable under Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4, delay the commencement of distributions for a minimum of five (5) years from the date the first distribution was originally scheduled to be made; and
(d) must take effect not less than twelve (12) months after the amendment is made.

 

Article 3
Distribution at Death

 

3.1 Death During Active Service . If the Executive dies prior to a Separation from Service, experiencing a Disability, or Normal Retirement Age, then no benefits shall be paid under this Agreement.

 

3.2 Death During Distribution of a Benefit . If the Executive dies after the occurrence of any event triggering the Executive’s entitlement to a benefit under Article 2 and prior to payment of the entire Accrual Balance, the Bank shall distribute to the Beneficiary an amount equal to the remaining Accrual Balance at the same time and in the same amounts it would have been distributed to the Executive had the Executive survived.

 

3.3 Death Before Benefit Distributions Commence . If the Executive is entitled to benefit distributions under this Agreement but dies prior to the date that commencement of said benefit distributions are scheduled to be made under this Agreement, the Bank shall distribute to the Beneficiary the same benefits to which the Executive was entitled prior to death, except that the benefit distributions shall commence on the earlier of (a) the first day of the fourth month following the Executive’s death, or (b) the date the benefits would have commenced if the Executive had not died.

 

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Article 4
Beneficiaries

 

4.1 In General . The Executive shall have the right, at any time, to designate a Beneficiary to receive any benefit distributions under this Agreement upon the death of the Executive. The Beneficiary designated under this Agreement may be the same as or different from the beneficiary designated under any other plan of the Bank in which the Executive participates.

 

4.2 Designation . The Executive shall designate a Beneficiary by completing and signing the Beneficiary Designation Form and delivering it to the Plan Administrator or its designated agent. If the Executive names someone other than the Executive’s spouse as a Beneficiary, the Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, determine that spousal consent is required to be provided in a form designated by the Plan Administrator, executed by the Executive’s spouse and returned to the Plan Administrator. The Executive’s beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases the Executive or if the Executive names a spouse as Beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved. The Executive shall have the right to change a Beneficiary by completing, signing and otherwise complying with the terms of the Beneficiary Designation Form and the Plan Administrator’s rules and procedures. Upon the acceptance by the Plan Administrator of a new Beneficiary Designation Form, all Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be cancelled. The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to rely on the last Beneficiary Designation Form filed by the Executive and accepted by the Plan Administrator prior to the Executive’s death.

 

4.3 Acknowledgment . No designation or change in designation of a Beneficiary shall be effective until received, accepted and acknowledged in writing by the Plan Administrator or its designated agent.

 

4.4 No Beneficiary Designation . If the Executive dies without a valid beneficiary designation, or if all designated Beneficiaries predecease the Executive, then the Executive’s spouse shall be the designated Beneficiary. If the Executive has no surviving spouse, any benefit shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.

 

4.5 Facility of Distribution . If the Plan Administrator determines in its discretion that a benefit is to be distributed to a minor, to a person declared incompetent or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of that person’s property, the Plan Administrator may direct distribution of such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care or custody of such minor, incompetent person or incapable person. The Plan Administrator may require proof of incompetence, minority or guardianship as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit. Any distribution of a benefit shall be a distribution for the account of the Executive and the Beneficiary, as the case may be, and shall completely discharge any liability under this Agreement for such distribution amount.

 

Article 5
General Limitations

 

5.1 Termination for Cause . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive’s employment with the Bank is terminated by the Bank or an applicable regulator due to a Termination for Cause.

 

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5.2 Suicide or Misstatement . No benefit shall be distributed if the Executive commits suicide within two (2) years after the Effective Date, or if an insurance company which issued a life insurance policy covering the Executive and owned by the Bank denies coverage (i) for material misstatements of fact made by the Executive on an application for such life insurance, or (ii) for any other reason.

 

5.3 Removal . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive is subject to a final removal or prohibition order issued by an appropriate federal banking agency pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, shall be subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. §1828 and FDIC Regulation 12 C.F.R. Part 359, Golden Parachute Indemnification Payments and any other regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

Article 6
Administration of Agreement

 

6.1 Plan Administrator Duties . The Plan Administrator shall administer this Agreement according to its express terms and shall also have the discretion and authority to (i) make, amend, interpret and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Agreement and (ii) decide or resolve any and all questions, including interpretations of this Agreement, as may arise in connection with this Agreement to the extent the exercise of such discretion and authority does not conflict with Code Section 409A.

 

6.2 Agents . In the administration of this Agreement, the Plan Administrator may employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as the Plan Administrator sees fit, including acting through a duly appointed representative, and may from time to time consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Bank.

 

6.3 Binding Effect of Decisions . Any decision or action of the Plan Administrator with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation or application of this Agreement and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in this Agreement.

 

6.4 Indemnity of Plan Administrator . The Bank shall indemnify and hold harmless the Plan Administrator against any and all claims, losses, damages, expenses or liabilities arising from any action or failure to act with respect to this Agreement, except in the case of willful misconduct by the Plan Administrator.

 

6.5 Bank Information . To enable the Plan Administrator to perform its functions, the Bank shall supply full and timely information to the Plan Administrator on all matters relating to the date and circumstances of the Executive’s death, Disability or Separation from Service, and such other pertinent information as the Plan Administrator may reasonably require.

 

6.6 Annual Statement . The Plan Administrator shall provide to the Executive, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Plan Year, a statement setting forth the benefits to be distributed under this Agreement.

 

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Article 7
Claims And Review Procedures

 

7.1 Notice of Denial .

 

7.1.1 If Executive or a Beneficiary (a “ claimant ”) is denied a claim for benefits under this Agreement, the Claims Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the adverse benefit determination (whether such claim is denied in whole or in part) within a reasonable period of time but no later than ninety (90) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. However, under special circumstances (to be determined by the Claims Administrator), the Claims Administrator may extend the time for processing the claim to a day no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. The claimant shall be notified in writing within the initial 90-day period of the need to extend the time for review, the special circumstances requiring an extension, and the date by which a decision is expected.

 

7.1.2 With respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, the Claims Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the adverse benefit determination within a reasonable period of time but no later than forty-five (45) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. This 45-day period may be extended up to thirty (30) days if an extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator (to be determined by the Claims Administrator) and the claimant is notified, prior to the expiration of the initial 45-day period, of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Claims Administrator expects to render a decision. If, prior to the end of the first 30-day extension period, the Claims Administrator determines that, due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator (to be determined by the Claims Administrator), a decision cannot be rendered within that extension period, the period for making the determination may be extended for up to an additional thirty (30) days, provided that the Claims Administrator notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the initial 30-day extension period, of the circumstances requiring the extension and the date as of which the Claims Administrator expects to render a decision. In the case of any such extension, the notice of extension shall also specifically explain the standards on which entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim, and the additional information needed to resolve those issues, and the claimant shall have at least forty-five (45) days within which to provide the specified information, if any.

 

7.2 Contents of Notice of Denial . If a claimant is denied a claim for benefits under this Agreement, the Claims Administrator shall provide to such claimant written notice of the denial. Any such notice of an adverse benefit determination shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall set forth:

 

7.2.1 the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

 

7.2.2 specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based;

 

7.2.3 a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary;

 

7.2.4 an explanation of this Agreement’s claim review procedures, and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review;

 

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7.2.5 in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(i) a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: the views presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant, the views of medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Claims Administrator in connection with a claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the benefit determination, and a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(ii) if the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the Agreement to the claimant’s medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request in writing;

 

(iii) the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator relied upon in making the adverse determination, or, alternatively, a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator do not exist; and

 

(iv) a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits.

 

7.3 Right to Review . After receiving written notice of the denial of a claim, a claimant or his representative shall be entitled to:

 

7.3.1 submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the denied claim to the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable; and

 

7.3.2 request, free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim

 

7.3.3 request a full and fair review of the denial of the claim by written application to the Claims Administrator (or Appeals Fiduciary in the case of a claim for benefits payable due to Executive experiencing a Disability), which shall include:

 

(i) a review that takes into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination; and

 

(ii) in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

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(1)       before issuing an adverse benefit determination on review, providing the claimant, free of charge with any new or additional evidence considered, relied upon, or generated by the Claims Administrator or other person making the benefit determination (or at the direction of the Claims Administrator or such other person) in connection with the claim as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided to give the claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date; and

 

(2)       before issuing an adverse benefit determination on review based on a new or additional rationale, providing the claimant, free of charge, with the rationale as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided to give the claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date.

 

7.4 Application for Review .

 

7.4.1 If a claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement, other than a claim described in Section 7.4.2, he must submit the written application to the Claims Administrator within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

7.4.2 If the claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement due to Executive experiencing a Disability, he must submit the written application to the Appeals Fiduciary within one hundred eighty (180) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

7.5 Hearing . Upon receiving such written application for review, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, may schedule a hearing for purposes of reviewing the claimant’s claim, which hearing shall take place not more than thirty (30) days from the date on which the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary received such written application for review.

 

7.6 Notice of Hearing . At least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled hearing, the claimant and his representative designated in writing by him, if any, shall receive written notice of the date, time, and place of such scheduled hearing. The claimant or his representative, if any, may request that the hearing be rescheduled, for his convenience, on another reasonable date or at another reasonable time or place.

 

7.7 Counsel . All claimants requesting a review of the decision denying their claim for benefits may employ counsel for purposes of the hearing.

 

7.8 Decision on Review . No later than sixty (60) days (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) following the receipt of the written application for review, the Claims Administrator or the Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, shall submit its decision on the review in writing to the claimant involved and to his representative, if any, unless the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary determines that special circumstances (such as the need to hold a hearing) require an extension of time, to a day no later than one hundred twenty (120) days (ninety (90) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) after the date of receipt of the written application for review. If the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary determines that the extension of time is required, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary shall furnish to the claimant written notice of the extension before the expiration of the initial sixty (60) day (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary expects to render its decision on review. In the case of a decision adverse to the claimant, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary shall provide to the claimant written notice of the denial. Any such notice of an adverse benefit determination shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall include:

 

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7.8.1 the specific reason or reasons for the adverse benefit determination;

 

7.8.2 specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the adverse benefit determination is based;

 

7.8.3 a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits;

 

7.8.4 a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following the adverse benefit determination on review;

 

7.8.5 a statement regarding the availability of other voluntary alternative dispute resolution options;

 

7.8.6 in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(i) a description of any contractual limitations period that applies to the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA, including the calendar date on which the contractual limitations period expires for the claim;

 

(ii) a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: the views presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant, the views of medical or vocational professionals whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Claims Administrator in connection with a claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the determination, and a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(iii) if the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the Agreement to the claimant’s medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request; and

 

(iv) the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator relied upon in making the adverse determination, or a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria do not exist.

 

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The Claims Administrator has the discretionary authority to determine all interpretative issues arising under this Agreement and the interpretations of the Claims Administrator shall be final and binding upon Executive or any other party claiming benefits under this Agreement.

7.9 Calculating Time Periods . The period of time within which a benefit determination initially or on review is required to be made shall begin at the time a claim or request for review is filed in accordance with the procedures of the Agreement, without regard to whether all the information necessary to make a benefit determination accompanies the filing. In the event that a period of time is extended due to the failure of a claimant to submit information necessary to decide a claim or review, the period for making the benefit determination shall be tolled from the date on which the notification of the extension is sent to the claimant until the date on which the claimant responds to the request for additional information.

 

7.10 Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Notices . With respect to any notices required to be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, the Claims Administrator shall provide (i) oral language services in the applicable non-English language (that include answering questions in any applicable non-English language and providing assistance with filing claims in any applicable non-English language), (ii) a statement in the applicable non-English language, prominently displayed on notices, explaining how to access language services and (iii) notices in the applicable non-English language upon request. For this purpose, a non-English language is an applicable non-English language if 10% or more of the population residing in the county for which the notice is sent is literate only in the same non-English language.

 

7.11 Adjudication of Disability Benefit Claims: Independence and Impartiality . All claims and appeals with respect to benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability shall adjudicated in a manner designed to ensure the independence and impartiality of the persons involved in making the decision. Accordingly, decisions regarding hiring, compensation, termination, promotion, or other similar matters with respect to any individual (such as a claims adjudicator or medical or vocational expert) shall not be based upon the likelihood that the individual will support the denial of benefits.

 

7.12 Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Available under the Agreement .

 

7.12.1 In no event will Executive be entitled to challenge the Claims Administrator’s decision in court or any other proceeding unless and until these claims procedures are exhausted. The Executive then shall have one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of receipt of the Claims Administrator’s decision on appeal in which to file suit regarding a claim for benefits under this Agreement. If suit is not filed within such one hundred eighty (180)-day period, it shall be forever barred.

 

7.12.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, if the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, fails to strictly adhere to all the applicable requirements hereunder, the claimant is deemed to have exhausted the administrative remedies available under the Agreement, except as provided in the paragraph below with respect to de minimis violations. If the claimant chooses to pursue remedies under Section 502(a) of ERISA under such circumstances, the claim or appeal is deemed denied on review without the exercise of discretion by an appropriate fiduciary.

 

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The administrative remedies available under the Agreement will not be deemed exhausted based on de minimis violations that do not cause, and are not likely to cause, prejudice or harm to the claimant, provided the Claims Administrator demonstrates that the violation was for good cause or due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator and that the violation occurred in the context of an ongoing, good faith exchange of information between the Claims Administrator and the claimant. A violation shall not be de minimis if it is part of a pattern or practice of violations by the Claims Administrator. The claimant may request a written explanation of the violation from the Claims Administrator, and the Claims Administrator must provide such explanation within ten (10) days, including a specific description of its bases, if any, for asserting that the violation should not cause the available administrative remedies to be deemed exhausted. If a court rejects the claimant’s request for immediate review on the basis that the Claims Administrator met the standards for the de minimis exception the claim shall be considered as refiled on appeal upon the Claims Administrator’s receipt of the court’s decision. Within a reasonable time after the receipt of the decision, the Claims Administrator shall provide the claimant with notice of the resubmission.

 

7.13 Definitions . For purposes of the Agreement’s claims procedures, the following words and phrases shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

7.13.1 Adverse benefit determination ” means any of the following: a denial, reduction or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a benefit, including any such denial, reduction, termination, or failure to provide or make payment that is based on a determination of a claimant’s eligibility to participate in a plan and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, shall also mean any rescission of disability coverage with respect to a Participant or Beneficiary (whether or not there is an adverse effect on any particular benefit at that time), where rescission means a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage that has retroactive effect, except to the extent it is attributable to a failure to timely pay required premiums or contributions towards the cost of coverage.

 

7.13.2 Appeals Fiduciary ” means an individual or group of individuals appointed by the Claims Administrator to review appeals of claims for benefits payable due to the Executive experiencing a Disability.

 

7.13.3 Claims Administrator ” means the Board or such other person designated by the Board from time to time and named by notice to Executive.

 

7.13.4 A document, record, or other information shall be considered “ relevant ” to a claimant’s claim if such document, record, or other information (A) was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (B) was submitted, considered, or generated in the course of making the benefit determination, without regard to whether such document, record, or other information was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (C) demonstrates compliance with the administrative processes and safeguards required in making the benefit determination, or (D) in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, constitutes a statement of policy or guidance with respect to the Agreement concerning the denied treatment option or benefit for the claimant’s diagnosis, without regard to whether such advice or statement was relied upon in making the benefit determination.

 

7.14 Person Authorized to Act on Behalf of Claimant . The Claims Administrator may establish reasonable procedures to permit an authorized person to act on behalf of the claimant (and for determining whether a person has been authorized to act on behalf of a claimant).

 

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Article 8
Amendments and Termination

 

8.1 Amendments . This Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. However, the Bank may unilaterally amend this Agreement to conform with written directives to the Bank from banking regulators or to comply with legislative changes or tax law, including without limitation Code Section 409A.

 

8.2 Plan Termination Generally . This Agreement may be terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. The benefit shall be the Accrual Balance as of the date this Agreement is terminated. Except as provided in Section 8.3, the termination of this Agreement shall not cause a distribution of benefits under this Agreement. Rather, upon such termination benefit distributions will be made at the earliest distribution event permitted under Article 2 or Article 3.

 

8.3 Plan Terminations Under Code Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8.2, if the Bank irrevocably terminates this Agreement in the following circumstances:

 

(a) Within thirty (30) days before or twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, provided that all distributions are made no later than twelve (12) months following such irrevocable termination of this Agreement and further provided that all of the arrangements sponsored by the Bank that would be aggregated with this Agreement under Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c)(2) are terminated so the Executive and all participants under the other aggregated arrangements are required to receive all amounts of compensation deferred under the terminated arrangements within twelve (12) months of the date the Bank irrevocably takes all necessary action to terminate such arrangements;

 

(b) Within twelve (12) months of a dissolution of the Bank taxed under Section 331 of the Code or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §503(b)(1)(A), provided that the amounts deferred under this Agreement are included in the Executive’s gross income in the latest of (i) the calendar year in which this Agreement terminates; (ii) the calendar year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (iii) the first calendar year in which the distribution is administratively practicable; or

 

(c) Upon the Bank’s termination of this and all other arrangements that would be aggregated with this Agreement pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c) if the Executive participated in such arrangements (“Similar Arrangements”), provided that (i) the termination and liquidation does not occur proximate to a downturn in the financial health of the Bank, (ii) no payments are made within twelve (12) months of the termination of the arrangements other than payments that would be payable under the terms of the arrangements if the termination had not occurred, (iii) all termination distributions are made no later than twenty-four (24) months following such termination, and (iv) the Bank does not adopt any new arrangement that would be a Similar Arrangement for a minimum of three (3) years following the date the Bank takes all necessary action to irrevocably terminate and liquidate the Agreement;

 

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the Bank may distribute the Accrual Balance, determined as of the date of the termination of this Agreement, to the Executive in a lump sum subject to the above terms.

 

Article 9
Miscellaneous

 

9.1 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall bind the Executive and the Bank and their beneficiaries, survivors, executors, administrators and transferees.

 

9.2 No Guarantee of Employment . This Agreement is not a contract for employment. It does not give the Executive the right to remain as an employee of the Bank nor interfere with the Bank’s right to discharge the Executive. It does not require the Executive to remain an employee nor interfere with the Executive’s right to terminate employment at any time.

 

9.3 Non-Transferability . Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, attached or encumbered in any manner.

 

9.4 Tax Withholding and Reporting . The Bank shall withhold any taxes that are required to be withheld, including but not limited to taxes owed under Code Section 409A from the benefits provided under this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that the Bank’s sole liability regarding taxes is to forward any amounts withheld to the appropriate taxing authorities. The Bank shall satisfy all applicable reporting requirements, including those under Code Section 409A.

 

9.5 Applicable Law . This Agreement and all rights hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana, except to the extent that the laws of the United States of America are applicable.

 

9.6 Unfunded Arrangement . The Executive and the Beneficiary are general unsecured creditors of the Bank for the distribution of benefits under this Agreement. The benefits represent the mere promise by the Bank to distribute such benefits. The rights to benefits are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment by creditors. Any insurance on the Executive’s life or other informal funding asset is a general asset of the Bank to which the Executive and Beneficiary have no preferred or secured claim.

 

9.7 Reorganization . The Bank shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank, or reorganize, or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person unless such succeeding or continuing bank, firm or person agrees to assume and discharge the obligations of the Bank under this Agreement. Upon the occurrence of such an event, the term “Bank” as used in this Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the successor or survivor entity.

 

9.8 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive as to the subject matter hereof. No rights are granted to the Executive by virtue of this Agreement other than those specifically set forth herein.

 

9.9 Interpretation . Wherever the fulfillment of the intent and purpose of this Agreement requires and the context will permit, the use of the masculine gender includes the feminine and use of the singular includes the plural.

 

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9.10 Alternative Action . In the event it shall become impossible for the Bank or the Plan Administrator to perform any act required by this Agreement due to regulatory or other constraints, the Bank or Plan Administrator may perform such alternative act as most nearly carries out the intent and purpose of this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Bank, provided that such alternative act does not violate Code Section 409A.

 

9.11 Headings . Article and section headings are for convenient reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision herein.

 

9.12 Validity . If any provision of this Agreement shall be illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts hereof, but this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

9.13 Notice . Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Bank or Plan Administrator under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by registered or certified mail to the address below:

 

Board of Directors

Home Bank, N. A.

503 Kaliste Saloom

Lafayette, Louisiana 70508

 

Such notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification. Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Executive under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by mail to the last known address of the Executive.

 

9.14 Compliance with Section 409A . This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered consistent with Code Section 409A.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Bank have signed this Agreement.

 

EXECUTIVE HOME BANK, N.A.

 

/s/ Scott A. Ridley   By: /s/ John W. Bordelon
Scott A. Ridley   Title:  President & CEO

 

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Exhibit 10.12

 

HOME BANK
SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is adopted effective as of the 20 th day of May, 2019, by and between HOME BANK, N.A., a nationally chartered bank, located in Lafayette, Louisiana (the “Bank”), and JOSEPH B. ZANCO (the “Executive”).

 

WITNESSETH :

 

WHEREAS, the purpose of this Agreement is to provide specified benefits to the Executive, a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees who contribute materially to the continued growth, development and future business success of the Bank; and this Agreement shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended from time to time.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the Bank and the Executive as follows:

 

Article 1
Definitions

 

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings specified:

 

1.1 Accrual Balance ” means the liability that should be accrued by the Bank, under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), for the Bank’s obligation to the Executive under this Agreement, by applying Accounting Principles Board Opinion Number 12 (“APB 12”) as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 106 (“FAS 106”) and the Discount Rate. Any one of a variety of amortization methods may be used to determine the Accrual Balance. However, once chosen, the method must be consistently applied.

 

1.2 Beneficiary ” means each designated person or entity, or the estate of the deceased Executive, entitled to any benefits upon the death of the Executive pursuant to Article 4.

 

1.3 Beneficiary Designation Form ” means the form established from time to time by the Plan Administrator that the Executive completes, signs and returns to the Plan Administrator to designate one or more Beneficiaries.

 

1.4 Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Bank as from time to time constituted.

 

1.5 Change in Control ” means a change in the ownership of the Bank, a change in the effective control of the Bank or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Bank, in each case as provided under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder, provided that any mutual to stock conversion of the Bank shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control, and provided further that following any mutual to stock conversion of the Bank, all references to the Bank in this Section 1.5 shall also include any holding company for the Bank formed in connection with such conversion.

 

 

 

 

1.6 Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all regulations and guidance thereunder, including such regulations and guidance as may be promulgated after the Effective Date.

 

1.7 Disability ” means the Executive: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees or directors of the Bank. Medical determination of Disability may be made by either the Social Security Administration or by the provider of disability insurance covering employees or directors of the Bank, provided that the definition of “disability” applied under such insurance program complies with the requirements of the preceding sentence. Upon the request of the Plan Administrator, the Executive must submit proof to the Plan Administrator of the Social Security Administration’s or the provider’s determination.

 

1.8 Discount Rate ” means the rate used by the Plan Administrator for determining the Accrual Balance. The initial Discount Rate is four percent (4%). However, the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, may adjust the Discount Rate to maintain the rate within reasonable standards according to GAAP and/or applicable bank regulatory guidance.

 

1.9 Early Termination ” means the Executive’s Separation from Service before attainment of Normal Retirement Age except when such Separation from Service occurs on or within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, because the Executive experiences a Disability, or due to Termination for Cause.

 

1.10 Effective Date ” means May 20, 2019.

 

1.11 ERISA ” means the Employee Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and all regulations and guidance thereunder, including such regulations and guidance as may be promulgated after the Effective Date.

 

1.12 Normal Retirement Age ” means the date the Executive reaches age sixty-five (65).

 

1.13 Plan Administrator ” means the Board or such committee or person as the Board shall appoint.

 

1.14 Plan Year ” means each twelve (12) month period commencing on August 1 and ending on July 31 of each year.

 

1.15 Separation from Service ” means termination of the Executive’s employment with the Bank. Whether a Separation from Service has occurred shall be determined in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the Bank and the Executive reasonably anticipated that no further services would be performed after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services the Executive would perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or the full period of services to the Bank if the Executive has been providing services to the Bank less than thirty-six (36) months). In the event the Bank converts from mutual to stock form and forms a holding company in connection with such conversion, then all references to the Bank in this Section 1.15 shall also include such holding company, so that any services which the Executive provides to such holding company shall be taken into account for purposes of determining whether or not a Separation from Service has occurred.

 

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1.16 Specified Employee ” means an employee who at the time of Separation from Service is a key employee of the Bank or of any holding company for the Bank, if any stock of the Bank or any such holding company is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement, an employee is a key employee if the employee meets the requirements of Code Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and disregarding Section 416(i)(5)) at any time during the twelve (12) month period ending on December 31 of any year (the “identification period”). If the employee is a key employee during an identification period, the employee is treated as a key employee for purposes of this Agreement during the twelve (12) month period that begins on the first day of April following the close of the identification period.

 

1.17 Termination for Cause ” means Separation from Service due to the Executive’s:

 

(a) Gross negligence or gross neglect of duties to the Bank;
(b) Conviction of a felony or of a gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude in connection with the Executive’s employment with the Bank; or
(c) Personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease-and-desist order.

 

1.18 Vesting Percentage ” means the percentage determined under the following vesting schedule based on the Executive’s Years of Vesting Service:

 

Years of Vesting Service   Vesting Percentage  
Less than 6     0 %
6     20 %
7     40 %
8     60 %
9     80 %
10 or more     100 %

 

1.19 Years of Vesting Service ” means, for vesting purposes, the number of full twelve (12)-month periods, commencing with the Executive’s most recent hire date, during which the Executive remains in continuous service with the Bank. For purposes of determining vesting, all Years of Vesting Service with the Bank shall be counted regardless of whether such service occurred before or after the Effective Date of this Agreement.

 

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Article 2
Distributions During Lifetime

 

2.1 Normal Retirement Benefit . Following a Separation from Service on or after the Executive’s Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.1 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.1.1 Amount of Benefit . The annual benefit under this Section 2.1 is Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000).

 

2.1.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the annual benefit to the Executive in twelve (12) equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following a Separation from Service on or after Normal Retirement Age, subject to Section 2.5 hereof. The annual benefit shall be distributed to the Executive for ten (10) years.

 

2.2 Early Termination Benefit . If Early Termination occurs, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.2 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.2.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.2 is an amount equal to the product of the Executive’s Accrual Balance, as of the end of the Plan Year immediately preceding Executive’s Separation from Service, multiplied by the Executive’s Vesting Percentage.

 

2.2.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Executive’s Separation from Service, subject to Section 2.5 hereof.

 

2.3 Disability Benefit . If the Executive experiences a Disability prior to (a) a Separation from Service on or after Normal Retirement Age or (b) Early Termination, and other than on or within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.3 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.3.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.3 is an amount equal to the Accrual Balance as of the date the Executive experiences a Disability.

 

2.3.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Executive’s Separation from Service.

 

2.4 Change in Control Benefit . If a Change in Control occurs, followed within twenty-four (24) months by a Separation from Service prior to Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.4 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.

 

2.4.1 Amount of Benefit . The benefit under this Section 2.4 is an amount equal to the greater of (i) the Accrual Balance as of the end of the Plan Year immediately preceding Executive’s Separation from Service or (ii) Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000).

 

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2.4.2 Distribution of Benefit . The Bank shall distribute the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following Executive’s Separation from Service, subject to Section 2.5 hereof.

 

2.4.3 Parachute Payments . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, and to the extent allowed by Code Section 409A, if any benefit payment under this Section 2.4 would be treated as an “excess parachute payment” under Code Section 280G, the Bank shall reduce such benefit payment to the extent necessary to avoid treating such benefit payment as an excess parachute payment.

 

2.5 Restriction on Commencement of Distributions . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is considered a Specified Employee, the provisions of this Section 2.5 shall govern all distributions hereunder. If benefit distributions which would otherwise be made to the Executive due to a Separation from Service are limited because the Executive is a Specified Employee, then such distributions shall not be made during the first six (6) months following the Separation from Service. Rather, any distribution which would otherwise be paid to the Executive during such period shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the month following the lapse of six months after the Separation from Service. All subsequent distributions shall be paid in the manner specified.

 

2.6 Distributions Upon Taxation of Amounts Deferred . If, pursuant to Code Section 409A or other state, local or foreign tax, the Executive becomes subject to tax on the amounts deferred hereunder, then the Bank shall make a limited distribution to the Executive in a manner that conforms to the requirements of Code Section 409A. Any such distribution will decrease the Executive’s benefits distributable under this Agreement.

 

2.7 Change in Form or Timing of Distributions . For distribution of benefits under this Article 2, the Executive and the Bank may, subject to the terms of Section 8.1, amend this Agreement to delay the timing or change the form of distributions. Any such amendment:

 

(a) may not accelerate the time or schedule of any distribution, except as provided in Code Section 409A;
(b) must, for benefits distributable under Sections 2.1 and 2.2, be made at least twelve (12) months prior to the first scheduled distribution;
(c) must, for benefits distributable under Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4, delay the commencement of distributions for a minimum of five (5) years from the date the first distribution was originally scheduled to be made; and
(d) must take effect not less than twelve (12) months after the amendment is made.

 

Article 3
Distribution at Death

 

3.1 Death During Active Service . If the Executive dies prior to a Separation from Service, experiencing a Disability, or Normal Retirement Age, then no benefits shall be paid under this Agreement.

 

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3.2 Death During Distribution of a Benefit . If the Executive dies after the occurrence of any event triggering the Executive’s entitlement to a benefit under Article 2 and prior to payment of the entire Accrual Balance, the Bank shall distribute to the Beneficiary an amount equal to the remaining Accrual Balance at the same time and in the same amounts it would have been distributed to the Executive had the Executive survived.

 

3.3 Death Before Benefit Distributions Commence . If the Executive is entitled to benefit distributions under this Agreement but dies prior to the date that commencement of said benefit distributions are scheduled to be made under this Agreement, the Bank shall distribute to the Beneficiary the same benefits to which the Executive was entitled prior to death, except that the benefit distributions shall commence on the earlier of (a) the first day of the fourth month following the Executive’s death, or (b) the date the benefits would have commenced if the Executive had not died.

 

Article 4
Beneficiaries

 

4.1 In General . The Executive shall have the right, at any time, to designate a Beneficiary to receive any benefit distributions under this Agreement upon the death of the Executive. The Beneficiary designated under this Agreement may be the same as or different from the beneficiary designated under any other plan of the Bank in which the Executive participates.

 

4.2 Designation . The Executive shall designate a Beneficiary by completing and signing the Beneficiary Designation Form and delivering it to the Plan Administrator or its designated agent. If the Executive names someone other than the Executive’s spouse as a Beneficiary, the Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, determine that spousal consent is required to be provided in a form designated by the Plan Administrator, executed by the Executive’s spouse and returned to the Plan Administrator. The Executive’s beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases the Executive or if the Executive names a spouse as Beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved. The Executive shall have the right to change a Beneficiary by completing, signing and otherwise complying with the terms of the Beneficiary Designation Form and the Plan Administrator’s rules and procedures. Upon the acceptance by the Plan Administrator of a new Beneficiary Designation Form, all Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be cancelled. The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to rely on the last Beneficiary Designation Form filed by the Executive and accepted by the Plan Administrator prior to the Executive’s death.

 

4.3 Acknowledgment . No designation or change in designation of a Beneficiary shall be effective until received, accepted and acknowledged in writing by the Plan Administrator or its designated agent.

 

4.4 No Beneficiary Designation . If the Executive dies without a valid beneficiary designation, or if all designated Beneficiaries predecease the Executive, then the Executive’s spouse shall be the designated Beneficiary. If the Executive has no surviving spouse, any benefit shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.

 

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4.5 Facility of Distribution . If the Plan Administrator determines in its discretion that a benefit is to be distributed to a minor, to a person declared incompetent or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of that person’s property, the Plan Administrator may direct distribution of such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care or custody of such minor, incompetent person or incapable person. The Plan Administrator may require proof of incompetence, minority or guardianship as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit. Any distribution of a benefit shall be a distribution for the account of the Executive and the Beneficiary, as the case may be, and shall completely discharge any liability under this Agreement for such distribution amount.

 

Article 5
General Limitations

 

5.1 Termination for Cause . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive’s employment with the Bank is terminated by the Bank or an applicable regulator due to a Termination for Cause.

 

5.2 Suicide or Misstatement . No benefit shall be distributed if the Executive commits suicide within two (2) years after the Effective Date, or if an insurance company which issued a life insurance policy covering the Executive and owned by the Bank denies coverage (i) for material misstatements of fact made by the Executive on an application for such life insurance, or (ii) for any other reason.

 

5.3 Removal . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive is subject to a final removal or prohibition order issued by an appropriate federal banking agency pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, shall be subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. §1828 and FDIC Regulation 12 C.F.R. Part 359, Golden Parachute Indemnification Payments and any other regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

Article 6
Administration of Agreement

 

6.1 Plan Administrator Duties . The Plan Administrator shall administer this Agreement according to its express terms and shall also have the discretion and authority to (i) make, amend, interpret and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Agreement and (ii) decide or resolve any and all questions, including interpretations of this Agreement, as may arise in connection with this Agreement to the extent the exercise of such discretion and authority does not conflict with Code Section 409A.

 

6.2 Agents . In the administration of this Agreement, the Plan Administrator may employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as the Plan Administrator sees fit, including acting through a duly appointed representative, and may from time to time consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Bank.

 

6.3 Binding Effect of Decisions . Any decision or action of the Plan Administrator with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation or application of this Agreement and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in this Agreement.

 

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6.4 Indemnity of Plan Administrator . The Bank shall indemnify and hold harmless the Plan Administrator against any and all claims, losses, damages, expenses or liabilities arising from any action or failure to act with respect to this Agreement, except in the case of willful misconduct by the Plan Administrator.

 

6.5 Bank Information . To enable the Plan Administrator to perform its functions, the Bank shall supply full and timely information to the Plan Administrator on all matters relating to the date and circumstances of the Executive’s death, Disability or Separation from Service, and such other pertinent information as the Plan Administrator may reasonably require.

 

6.6 Annual Statement . The Plan Administrator shall provide to the Executive, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Plan Year, a statement setting forth the benefits to be distributed under this Agreement.

 

Article 7
Claims And Review Procedures

 

7.1 Notice of Denial .

 

7.1.1 If Executive or a Beneficiary (a “ claimant ”) is denied a claim for benefits under this Agreement, the Claims Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the adverse benefit determination (whether such claim is denied in whole or in part) within a reasonable period of time but no later than ninety (90) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. However, under special circumstances (to be determined by the Claims Administrator), the Claims Administrator may extend the time for processing the claim to a day no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. The claimant shall be notified in writing within the initial 90-day period of the need to extend the time for review, the special circumstances requiring an extension, and the date by which a decision is expected.

 

7.1.2 With respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, the Claims Administrator shall provide to the claimant written notice of the adverse benefit determination within a reasonable period of time but no later than forty-five (45) days after the Claims Administrator receives the claim. This 45-day period may be extended up to thirty (30) days if an extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator (to be determined by the Claims Administrator) and the claimant is notified, prior to the expiration of the initial 45-day period, of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Claims Administrator expects to render a decision. If, prior to the end of the first 30-day extension period, the Claims Administrator determines that, due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator (to be determined by the Claims Administrator), a decision cannot be rendered within that extension period, the period for making the determination may be extended for up to an additional thirty (30) days, provided that the Claims Administrator notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the initial 30-day extension period, of the circumstances requiring the extension and the date as of which the Claims Administrator expects to render a decision. In the case of any such extension, the notice of extension shall also specifically explain the standards on which entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim, and the additional information needed to resolve those issues, and the claimant shall have at least forty-five (45) days within which to provide the specified information, if any.

 

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7.2 Contents of Notice of Denial . If a claimant is denied a claim for benefits under this Agreement, the Claims Administrator shall provide to such claimant written notice of the denial. Any such notice of an adverse benefit determination shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall set forth:

 

7.2.1 the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

 

7.2.2 specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based;

 

7.2.3 a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary;

 

7.2.4 an explanation of this Agreement’s claim review procedures, and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review;

 

7.2.5 in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(i) a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: the views presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant, the views of medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Claims Administrator in connection with a claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the benefit determination, and a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(ii) if the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the Agreement to the claimant’s medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request in writing;

 

(iii) the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator relied upon in making the adverse determination, or, alternatively, a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator do not exist; and

 

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(iv) a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits.

 

7.3 Right to Review . After receiving written notice of the denial of a claim, a claimant or his representative shall be entitled to:

 

7.3.1 submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the denied claim to the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable; and

 

7.3.2 request, free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim

 

7.3.3 request a full and fair review of the denial of the claim by written application to the Claims Administrator (or Appeals Fiduciary in the case of a claim for benefits payable due to Executive experiencing a Disability), which shall include:

 

(i) a review that takes into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination; and

 

(ii) in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(1)       before issuing an adverse benefit determination on review, providing the claimant, free of charge with any new or additional evidence considered, relied upon, or generated by the Claims Administrator or other person making the benefit determination (or at the direction of the Claims Administrator or such other person) in connection with the claim as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided to give the claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date; and

 

(2)       before issuing an adverse benefit determination on review based on a new or additional rationale, providing the claimant, free of charge, with the rationale as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided to give the claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date.

 

7.4 Application for Review .

 

7.4.1 If a claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement, other than a claim described in Section 7.4.2, he must submit the written application to the Claims Administrator within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

7.4.2 If the claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement due to Executive experiencing a Disability, he must submit the written application to the Appeals Fiduciary within one hundred eighty (180) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

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7.5 Hearing . Upon receiving such written application for review, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, may schedule a hearing for purposes of reviewing the claimant’s claim, which hearing shall take place not more than thirty (30) days from the date on which the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary received such written application for review.

 

7.6 Notice of Hearing . At least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled hearing, the claimant and his representative designated in writing by him, if any, shall receive written notice of the date, time, and place of such scheduled hearing. The claimant or his representative, if any, may request that the hearing be rescheduled, for his convenience, on another reasonable date or at another reasonable time or place.

 

7.7 Counsel . All claimants requesting a review of the decision denying their claim for benefits may employ counsel for purposes of the hearing.

 

7.8 Decision on Review . No later than sixty (60) days (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) following the receipt of the written application for review, the Claims Administrator or the Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, shall submit its decision on the review in writing to the claimant involved and to his representative, if any, unless the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary determines that special circumstances (such as the need to hold a hearing) require an extension of time, to a day no later than one hundred twenty (120) days (ninety (90) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) after the date of receipt of the written application for review. If the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary determines that the extension of time is required, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary shall furnish to the claimant written notice of the extension before the expiration of the initial sixty (60) day (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability) period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary expects to render its decision on review. In the case of a decision adverse to the claimant, the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary shall provide to the claimant written notice of the denial. Any such notice of an adverse benefit determination shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant (and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall include:

 

7.8.1 the specific reason or reasons for the adverse benefit determination;

 

7.8.2 specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the adverse benefit determination is based;

 

7.8.3 a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits;

 

7.8.4 a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following the adverse benefit determination on review;

 

7.8.5 a statement regarding the availability of other voluntary alternative dispute resolution options;

 

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7.8.6 in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability:

 

(i) a description of any contractual limitations period that applies to the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA, including the calendar date on which the contractual limitations period expires for the claim;

 

(ii) a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: the views presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant, the views of medical or vocational professionals whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Claims Administrator in connection with a claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the determination, and a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Claims Administrator made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(iii) if the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the Agreement to the claimant’s medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request; and

 

(iv) the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Claims Administrator relied upon in making the adverse determination, or a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria do not exist.

 

The Claims Administrator has the discretionary authority to determine all interpretative issues arising under this Agreement and the interpretations of the Claims Administrator shall be final and binding upon Executive or any other party claiming benefits under this Agreement.

7.9 Calculating Time Periods . The period of time within which a benefit determination initially or on review is required to be made shall begin at the time a claim or request for review is filed in accordance with the procedures of the Agreement, without regard to whether all the information necessary to make a benefit determination accompanies the filing. In the event that a period of time is extended due to the failure of a claimant to submit information necessary to decide a claim or review, the period for making the benefit determination shall be tolled from the date on which the notification of the extension is sent to the claimant until the date on which the claimant responds to the request for additional information.

 

7.10 Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Notices . With respect to any notices required to be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, the Claims Administrator shall provide (i) oral language services in the applicable non-English language (that include answering questions in any applicable non-English language and providing assistance with filing claims in any applicable non-English language), (ii) a statement in the applicable non-English language, prominently displayed on notices, explaining how to access language services and (iii) notices in the applicable non-English language upon request. For this purpose, a non-English language is an applicable non-English language if 10% or more of the population residing in the county for which the notice is sent is literate only in the same non-English language.

 

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7.11 Adjudication of Disability Benefit Claims: Independence and Impartiality . All claims and appeals with respect to benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability shall adjudicated in a manner designed to ensure the independence and impartiality of the persons involved in making the decision. Accordingly, decisions regarding hiring, compensation, termination, promotion, or other similar matters with respect to any individual (such as a claims adjudicator or medical or vocational expert) shall not be based upon the likelihood that the individual will support the denial of benefits.

 

7.12 Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Available under the Agreement .

 

7.12.1 In no event will Executive be entitled to challenge the Claims Administrator’s decision in court or any other proceeding unless and until these claims procedures are exhausted. The Executive then shall have one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of receipt of the Claims Administrator’s decision on appeal in which to file suit regarding a claim for benefits under this Agreement. If suit is not filed within such one hundred eighty (180)-day period, it shall be forever barred.

 

7.12.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, if the Claims Administrator or Appeals Fiduciary, as applicable, fails to strictly adhere to all the applicable requirements hereunder, the claimant is deemed to have exhausted the administrative remedies available under the Agreement, except as provided in the paragraph below with respect to de minimis violations. If the claimant chooses to pursue remedies under Section 502(a) of ERISA under such circumstances, the claim or appeal is deemed denied on review without the exercise of discretion by an appropriate fiduciary.

 

The administrative remedies available under the Agreement will not be deemed exhausted based on de minimis violations that do not cause, and are not likely to cause, prejudice or harm to the claimant, provided the Claims Administrator demonstrates that the violation was for good cause or due to matters beyond the control of the Claims Administrator and that the violation occurred in the context of an ongoing, good faith exchange of information between the Claims Administrator and the claimant. A violation shall not be de minimis if it is part of a pattern or practice of violations by the Claims Administrator. The claimant may request a written explanation of the violation from the Claims Administrator, and the Claims Administrator must provide such explanation within ten (10) days, including a specific description of its bases, if any, for asserting that the violation should not cause the available administrative remedies to be deemed exhausted. If a court rejects the claimant’s request for immediate review on the basis that the Claims Administrator met the standards for the de minimis exception the claim shall be considered as refiled on appeal upon the Claims Administrator’s receipt of the court’s decision. Within a reasonable time after the receipt of the decision, the Claims Administrator shall provide the claimant with notice of the resubmission.

 

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7.13 Definitions . For purposes of the Agreement’s claims procedures, the following words and phrases shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

7.13.1 Adverse benefit determination ” means any of the following: a denial, reduction or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a benefit, including any such denial, reduction, termination, or failure to provide or make payment that is based on a determination of a claimant’s eligibility to participate in a plan and with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, shall also mean any rescission of disability coverage with respect to a Participant or Beneficiary (whether or not there is an adverse effect on any particular benefit at that time), where rescission means a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage that has retroactive effect, except to the extent it is attributable to a failure to timely pay required premiums or contributions towards the cost of coverage.

 

7.13.2 Appeals Fiduciary ” means an individual or group of individuals appointed by the Claims Administrator to review appeals of claims for benefits payable due to the Executive experiencing a Disability.

 

7.13.3 Claims Administrator ” means the Board or such other person designated by the Board from time to time and named by notice to Executive.

 

7.13.4 A document, record, or other information shall be considered “ relevant ” to a claimant’s claim if such document, record, or other information (A) was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (B) was submitted, considered, or generated in the course of making the benefit determination, without regard to whether such document, record, or other information was relied upon in making the benefit determination, (C) demonstrates compliance with the administrative processes and safeguards required in making the benefit determination, or (D) in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive experiencing a Disability, constitutes a statement of policy or guidance with respect to the Agreement concerning the denied treatment option or benefit for the claimant’s diagnosis, without regard to whether such advice or statement was relied upon in making the benefit determination.

 

7.14 Person Authorized to Act on Behalf of Claimant . The Claims Administrator may establish reasonable procedures to permit an authorized person to act on behalf of the claimant (and for determining whether a person has been authorized to act on behalf of a claimant).

 

Article 8
Amendments and Termination

 

8.1 Amendments . This Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. However, the Bank may unilaterally amend this Agreement to conform with written directives to the Bank from banking regulators or to comply with legislative changes or tax law, including without limitation Code Section 409A.

 

8.2 Plan Termination Generally . This Agreement may be terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Bank and the Executive. The benefit shall be the Accrual Balance as of the date this Agreement is terminated. Except as provided in Section 8.3, the termination of this Agreement shall not cause a distribution of benefits under this Agreement. Rather, upon such termination benefit distributions will be made at the earliest distribution event permitted under Article 2 or Article 3.

 

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8.3 Plan Terminations Under Code Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8.2, if the Bank irrevocably terminates this Agreement in the following circumstances:

 

(a) Within thirty (30) days before or twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, provided that all distributions are made no later than twelve (12) months following such irrevocable termination of this Agreement and further provided that all of the arrangements sponsored by the Bank that would be aggregated with this Agreement under Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c)(2) are terminated so the Executive and all participants under the other aggregated arrangements are required to receive all amounts of compensation deferred under the terminated arrangements within twelve (12) months of the date the Bank irrevocably takes all necessary action to terminate such arrangements;
(b) Within twelve (12) months of a dissolution of the Bank taxed under Section 331 of the Code or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §503(b)(1)(A), provided that the amounts deferred under this Agreement are included in the Executive’s gross income in the latest of (i) the calendar year in which this Agreement terminates; (ii) the calendar year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (iii) the first calendar year in which the distribution is administratively practicable; or
(c) Upon the Bank’s termination of this and all other arrangements that would be aggregated with this Agreement pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(c) if the Executive participated in such arrangements (“Similar Arrangements”), provided that (i) the termination and liquidation does not occur proximate to a downturn in the financial health of the Bank, (ii) no payments are made within twelve (12) months of the termination of the arrangements other than payments that would be payable under the terms of the arrangements if the termination had not occurred, (iii) all termination distributions are made no later than twenty-four (24) months following such termination, and (iv) the Bank does not adopt any new arrangement that would be a Similar Arrangement for a minimum of three (3) years following the date the Bank takes all necessary action to irrevocably terminate and liquidate the Agreement;

 

the Bank may distribute the Accrual Balance, determined as of the date of the termination of this Agreement, to the Executive in a lump sum subject to the above terms.

 

Article 9
Miscellaneous

 

9.1 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall bind the Executive and the Bank and their beneficiaries, survivors, executors, administrators and transferees.

 

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9.2 No Guarantee of Employment . This Agreement is not a contract for employment. It does not give the Executive the right to remain as an employee of the Bank nor interfere with the Bank’s right to discharge the Executive. It does not require the Executive to remain an employee nor interfere with the Executive’s right to terminate employment at any time.

 

9.3 Non-Transferability . Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, attached or encumbered in any manner.

 

9.4 Tax Withholding and Reporting . The Bank shall withhold any taxes that are required to be withheld, including but not limited to taxes owed under Code Section 409A from the benefits provided under this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that the Bank’s sole liability regarding taxes is to forward any amounts withheld to the appropriate taxing authorities. The Bank shall satisfy all applicable reporting requirements, including those under Code Section 409A.

 

9.5 Applicable Law . This Agreement and all rights hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana, except to the extent that the laws of the United States of America are applicable.

 

9.6 Unfunded Arrangement . The Executive and the Beneficiary are general unsecured creditors of the Bank for the distribution of benefits under this Agreement. The benefits represent the mere promise by the Bank to distribute such benefits. The rights to benefits are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment by creditors. Any insurance on the Executive’s life or other informal funding asset is a general asset of the Bank to which the Executive and Beneficiary have no preferred or secured claim.

 

9.7 Reorganization . The Bank shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank, or reorganize, or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person unless such succeeding or continuing bank, firm or person agrees to assume and discharge the obligations of the Bank under this Agreement. Upon the occurrence of such an event, the term “Bank” as used in this Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the successor or survivor entity.

 

9.8 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive as to the subject matter hereof. No rights are granted to the Executive by virtue of this Agreement other than those specifically set forth herein.

 

9.9 Interpretation . Wherever the fulfillment of the intent and purpose of this Agreement requires and the context will permit, the use of the masculine gender includes the feminine and use of the singular includes the plural.

 

9.10 Alternative Action . In the event it shall become impossible for the Bank or the Plan Administrator to perform any act required by this Agreement due to regulatory or other constraints, the Bank or Plan Administrator may perform such alternative act as most nearly carries out the intent and purpose of this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Bank, provided that such alternative act does not violate Code Section 409A.

 

9.11 Headings . Article and section headings are for convenient reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision herein.

 

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9.12 Validity . If any provision of this Agreement shall be illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts hereof, but this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

9.13 Notice . Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Bank or Plan Administrator under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by registered or certified mail to the address below:

 

Board of Directors

Home Bank, N.A.

503 Kaliste Saloom

Lafayette, Louisiana 70508

 

Such notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification. Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Executive under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by mail to the last known address of the Executive.

 

9.14 Compliance with Section 409A . This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered consistent with Code Section 409A.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Bank have signed this Agreement.

 

EXECUTIVE   HOME BANK, N.A.

 

/s/ Joseph B. Zanco   By: /s/ John W. Bordelon
Joseph B. Zanco   Title: President & CEO

 

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