UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 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): April 23, 2013

 

 

CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Mississippi   001-15375   64-0666512

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

521 Main Street, Philadelphia, Mississippi   39350
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(601) 656-4692

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box 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))

 

 

 


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

At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Citizens Holding Company (the “Corporation”) held on April 23, 2013, the Corporation’s shareholders approved the adoption of the 2013 Citizens Holding Company Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2013 Plan”). The Corporation’s Board of Directors had previously adopted approved the 2013 Plan, subject to shareholder approval. Terms of the 2013 Plan are described in the Corporation’s 2013 Proxy Statement, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 21, 2013. The forms of awards that may be granted under the 2013 Plan are attached as exhibits.

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

The Corporation held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 23, 2013. There were 4,208,472 shares, or 86.46%, of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock represented either in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. The Corporation solicited proxies pursuant to Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and there were no solicitations in opposition to management’s solicitations.

The shareholders considered and voted upon five proposals at the Annual Meeting. The proposals were described in the Corporation’s Proxy Statement.

The first proposal was to set the number of directors to serve on the Board of Directors at ten members. The shareholders of the Corporation adopted this proposal by a vote of 4,167,831 shares for the proposal and 14,946 shares against the proposal, with 10,554 abstentions and 15,141 broker non-votes.

The second proposal concerned the election of three Class II directors to a three-year term expiring in 2016. The votes for each nominee were:

 

     Votes For      Votes Withheld      Broker
Non-vote
 

Greg L. McKee

     3,128,371         27,281         1,052,820   

Terrell E. Winstead

     3,130,653         24,999         1,052,820   

David A. King

     3,130,653         24,999         1,052,820   

The third proposal was to conduct an advisory (non-binding) vote on the compensation paid to our executive officers. The shareholders approved the executive officer compensation by a vote of 3,034,960 for the proposal, 105,802 against the proposal and with 14,890 abstentions and 1,052,820 broker non-votes.

The fourth proposal was to approve the Citizens Holding Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan. The shareholders approved the incentive compensation plan by a vote of 3,055,844 for the proposal, 58,123 against the proposal and with 41,865 abstentions and 1,052,820 broker non-votes.

Finally, the shareholders considered and voted upon a proposal to ratify HORNE LLP as the Corporation’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013. The shareholders of the Corporation adopted this proposal by a vote of 4,176,426 for the proposal to 21,412 votes against, with 10,634 abstentions.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

10.1    Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the Citizens Holding Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan
10.2    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Citizens Holding Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan
10.3    Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement under the Citizens Holding Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan
10.4    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Directors under the Citizens Holding Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan


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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

    CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY
Date: April 25, 2013     By:   /s/ Robert T. Smith
    Robert T. Smith
    Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer,
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Exhibit 10.1

INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

UNDER THE CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

2013 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

 

Name of Optionee:   

 

  
No. of Option Shares:   

 

  
Option Exercise Price Per Share:   

$

  
   [FMV on Grant Date (110% of FMV if a 10% owner)]
Grant Date:   

 

  
Expiration Date:   

 

  

Pursuant to the Citizens Holding Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan as amended through the date hereof (the “ Plan ”), Citizens Holding Company (the “ Company ”) hereby grants under this agreement (this “ Agreement ”) to the Optionee named above, who is an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, an option (the “ Stock Option ”) to purchase on or prior to the Expiration Date specified above all or part of the number of Shares specified above at the Option Exercise Price Per Share specified above subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

1. Exercisability Schedule . No portion of the Stock Option may be exercised until such portion shall have become exercisable. Except as set forth below, and subject to the discretion of the Committee to accelerate the exercisability schedule hereunder, the Stock Option shall be exercisable with respect to the following number of Option Shares on the dates indicated:

 

Incremental Number of

Option Shares Exercisable                                                                                                               Exercisability Date

  (        %)  
  (        %)  
  (        %)  


Once exercisable, the Stock Option shall continue to be exercisable at any time or times prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date, subject to the provisions hereof and of the Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary or in the Plan, in the event of a Change of Control, the Stock Option shall become fully exercisable as of the effective time of the Change of Control.

2. Manner of Exercise .

(a) The Optionee may exercise the Stock Option only in the following manner: from time to time on or prior to the Expiration Date of the Stock Option, the Optionee may give written notice to the Committee of his or her election to purchase some or all of the Option Shares purchasable at the time of such notice. This notice shall specify the number of Option Shares to be purchased.

Payment of the purchase price for the Option Shares may be made by one or more of the following methods: (i) in cash or its equivalent (e.g., by personal check) at the time the Stock Option is exercised, (ii) in Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares being purchased and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by the Committee; provided, that such Shares has been held by the Optionee for no less than six months (or such other period as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment applying generally accepted accounting principles), (iii) partly in cash and partly in Shares (as described in the preceding clause (ii)), (iv) if there is a public market for the Shares at such time, through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell Stock obtained upon the exercise of the Stock Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount out of the proceeds of such sale equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares being purchased; provided that in the event the Optionee chooses to pay the Option Exercise Price Per Share as so provided, the Optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Committee shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure, or (v) through “net settlement” in Shares. In the case of a “net settlement” of a Stock Option, the Company will not require a cash payment of the Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares being purchased, but will reduce the number of Shares issued upon the exercise by the largest number of whole Shares that have a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares set forth in this Agreement. With respect to any remaining balance of the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares, the Company shall accept a cash payment. Payment instruments will be received subject to collection.

The transfer to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the Option Shares will be contingent upon (i) the Company’s receipt from the Optionee of the full purchase price for such Option Shares, as set forth above, (ii) the fulfillment of any other requirements contained herein or in the Plan or in any other agreement or applicable laws and regulations, and (iii) the receipt by the Company of any agreement, statement or other evidence that the Company may require to satisfy itself that the issuance of the Shares pursuant to the exercise of Stock Options under the Plan and any subsequent resale of such Shares will be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.


(b) The Shares purchased upon exercise of the Stock Option shall be transferred to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent upon compliance to the satisfaction of the Committee with all requirements under applicable laws or regulations in connection with such transfer and with the requirements hereof and of the Plan. The determination of the Committee as to such compliance shall be final and binding on the Optionee. The Optionee shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any Shares subject to the Stock Option unless and until the Stock Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company or the transfer agent shall have transferred the Shares to the Optionee, and the Optionee’s name shall have been entered as the shareholder of record on the books of the Company.

(c) The minimum number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Option may be exercised at any one time shall be 25 Shares, unless the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Option is being exercised is the total number of Shares subject to exercise under the Stock Option at the time.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or of the Plan, no portion of the Stock Option shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date hereof.

3. Termination of Employment . If the Optionee’s employment by the Company or any Affiliate is terminated, the period within which to exercise the Stock Option may be subject to earlier termination as set forth below.

(a) Termination Due to Death . If the Optionee’s employment terminates by reason of the Optionee’s death, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of Optionee’s death, by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee for a period of 12 months from the date of death or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of the Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of death shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

(b) Termination Due to Disability . If the Optionee’s employment terminates by reason of the Optionee’s Disability, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of Disability, by the Optionee, or the Optionee’s legal representative or guardian, as applicable, for a period of 12 months from the date of Disability or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of the Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of Disability shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

(c) Termination for Cause; Voluntary Resignation . If the Optionee’s employment with the Company or any Affiliate terminates for Cause or if the Optionee voluntarily terminates his or her employment, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean: (i) gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Optionee in the performance of the Optionee’s duties to the Company where such gross negligence or willful misconduct has resulted or is likely to result in substantial and material damage to the Company; (ii) any breach by the Optionee of any non-compete agreement or similar agreement between the Optionee and the Company; (iii) any material breach by the Optionee of any confidentiality agreement or similar agreement between the Optionee and the Company; (iv) a material violation


by the Optionee of any federal or state law or regulation or the Company’s compliance program in the performance of the Optionee’s duties; (v) commission by the Optionee of any act of fraud with respect to the Company; (vi) the Optionee’s conviction of, or the Optionee’s entry of a guilty plea or plea of nolo contendere with respect to, a felony; (vii) the Optionee’s failure to perform duties consistent with the Optionee’s position or to follow or comply with the reasonable directives of the Board or the Optionee’s supervisor(s), provided that (A) the Optionee shall have received written notice that specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that the Optionee has engaged in such failure and (B) the Optionee shall not have cured such failure within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice, provided further that such opportunity to cure a failure shall not apply if the Optionee has received more than one notice with respect to the same or similar conduct pursuant to this clause (vii) during any twelve (12) consecutive month period; or (viii) any act or omission that would constitute “cause” under any employment agreement or similar agreement between the Optionee and the Company or its Affiliate, as applicable.

(d) Other Termination . If the Optionee’s employment terminates for any reason other than the Optionee’s death, the Optionee’s Disability, Optionee’s voluntary termination, or Cause, and unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of termination, for a period of three months from the date of termination or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of the Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of termination shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

The Committee’s determination of the reason for termination of the Optionee’s employment shall be conclusive and binding on the Optionee and his or her representatives or legatees.

4. Incorporation of Plan . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Stock Option shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the powers of the Committee set forth in Section 4 of the Plan.

5. Transferability . Unless otherwise approved by the Committee, this Agreement is personal to the Optionee, is non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Except as provided in Section 3(b) of this Agreement, the Stock Option is exercisable, during the Optionee’s lifetime, only by the Optionee, and thereafter, only by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee.

6. Status of the Stock Option . The Stock Option is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code, but the Company does not represent or warrant that the Stock Option qualifies as such. The Optionee should consult with his or her own tax advisors regarding the tax effects of the Stock Option and the requirements necessary to obtain favorable income tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements. To the extent any portion of the Stock Option does not so qualify as an “incentive stock option,” such portion shall be deemed to be a non-qualified stock option. If the Optionee intends to dispose or does dispose (whether by sale, gift, transfer or otherwise) of any Option Shares within the one-year period beginning on the date after the transfer of such Shares to him or her, or within the two-year period beginning on the day after the grant of the Stock Option, he or she will so notify the Company within 30 days after such disposition.


7. No Obligation to Continue Employment . Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates is obligated by or as a result of the Plan or this Agreement to continue the Optionee in employment and neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any such Affiliate to terminate the employment of the Optionee at any time.

8. Notices . Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Optionee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

9. Amendment . Pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan, the Committee may at any time amend, alter or discontinue the Plan, but no such action may be taken that adversely affects the Optionee’s rights under this Agreement without the Optionee’s consent.

10. Inconsistencies . In the event of any inconsistencies between the terms of this Agreement and the Optionee’s employment agreement with the Company, the terms of said employment agreement shall govern.

11. Electronic Consent . The Company may choose to deliver certain statutory materials relating to the Plan in electronic form. By accepting the Stock Option, the Optionee agrees that the Company may deliver these materials in an electronic format. If at any time the Optionee would prefer to receive paper copies of these documents, as the Optionee is entitled to, the Company will provide paper copies upon written request by the Optionee to the Secretary of the Company.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has executed this Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.

 

CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

By:

   

Name:

   

Title:

   

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned.

 

Dated:                             

 

 

 

Optionee’s Signature

 

 

 

Optionee’s Name

 

Optionee’s Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

UNDER THE CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

2013 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

 

Name of Optionee:   

 

  

No. of Option Shares:

  

 

  

Option Exercise Price Per Share:

  

$

  
  

[FMV on Grant Date]

Grant Date:

  

 

  

Expiration date:

  

 

  

Pursuant to the Citizens Holding Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan as amended through the date hereof (the “ Plan ”), Citizens Holding Company (the “ Company ”) hereby grants under this agreement (this “ Agreement ”) to the Optionee named above, who is an employee, consultant or other service provider of the Company or any of its Affiliates, an option (the “ Stock Option ”) to purchase on or prior to the Expiration Date specified above all or part of the number of Shares specified above at the Option Exercise Price Per Share specified above subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. The Stock Option is not intended to be an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

1. Exercisability Schedule . No portion of the Stock Option may be exercised until such portion shall have become exercisable. Except as set forth below, and subject to the discretion of the Committee to accelerate the exercisability schedule hereunder, the Stock Option shall be exercisable with respect to the following number of Option Shares on the dates indicated:

 

Incremental Number of

Option Shares Exercisable                                                                                                                   Exercisability Date

  (        %)  
  (        %)  
  (        %)  

Once exercisable, the Stock Option shall continue to be exercisable at any time or times prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date, subject to the provisions hereof and of the Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary or in the Plan, in the event of a Change of Control, the Stock Option shall become fully exercisable as of the effective time of the Change of Control.


2. Manner of Exercise .

(a) The Optionee may exercise the Stock Option only in the following manner: from time to time on or prior to the Expiration Date of the Stock Option, the Optionee may give written notice to the Committee of his or her election to purchase some or all of the Option Shares purchasable at the time of such notice. This notice shall specify the number of Option Shares to be purchased.

Payment of the purchase price for the Option Shares may be made by one or more of the following methods: (i) in cash or its equivalent (e.g., by personal check) at the time the Stock Option is exercised, (ii) in Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares being purchased and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by the Committee; provided, that such Shares has been held by the Optionee for no less than six months (or such other period as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment applying generally accepted accounting principles), (iii) partly in cash and partly in Shares (as described in the preceding clause (ii)), (iv) if there is a public market for the Shares at such time, through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell Stock obtained upon the exercise of the Stock Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount out of the proceeds of such sale equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares being purchased; provided that in the event the Optionee chooses to pay the Option Exercise Price Per Share as so provided, the Optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Committee shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure, or (v) through “net settlement” in Shares. In the case of a “net settlement” of a Stock Option, the Company will not require a cash payment of the Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares being purchased, but will reduce the number of Shares issued upon the exercise by the largest number of whole Shares that have a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares set forth in this Agreement. With respect to any remaining balance of the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares, the Company shall accept a cash payment. Payment instruments will be received subject to collection.

The transfer to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the Option Shares will be contingent upon (i) the Company’s receipt from the Optionee of the full purchase price for such Option Shares, as set forth above, (ii) the fulfillment of any other requirements contained herein or in the Plan or in any other agreement or applicable laws and regulations, and (iii) the receipt by the Company of any agreement, statement or other evidence that the Company may require to satisfy itself that the issuance of the Shares pursuant to the exercise of Stock Options under the Plan and any subsequent resale of such Shares will be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

(b) The Shares purchased upon exercise of the Stock Option shall be transferred to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent upon compliance to the satisfaction of the Committee with all requirements under applicable laws or regulations in connection with such transfer and with the requirements hereof and of the Plan. The determination of the Committee as to such compliance shall be final and binding on the Optionee. The Optionee shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any Shares subject to the Stock Option unless and until the Stock Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company or the transfer agent shall have transferred the Shares to the Optionee, and the Optionee’s name shall have been entered as the shareholder of record on the books of the Company.


(c) The minimum number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Option may be exercised at any one time shall be 25 Shares, unless the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Option is being exercised is the total number of Shares subject to exercise under the Stock Option at the time.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or of the Plan, no portion of the Stock Option shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date hereof.

3. Termination of Employment . If the Optionee’s employment by the Company or any Affiliate is terminated, the period within which to exercise the Stock Option may be subject to earlier termination as set forth below.

(a) Termination Due to Death . If the Optionee’s employment terminates by reason of the Optionee’s death, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of Optionee’s death, by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee for a period of 12 months from the date of death or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of the Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of death shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

(b) Termination Due to Disability . If the Optionee’s employment terminates by reason of the Optionee’s Disability, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of Disability, by the Optionee, or the Optionee’s legal representative or guardian, as applicable, for a period of 12 months from the date of Disability or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of the Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of Disability shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

(c) Termination for Cause; Voluntary Resignation . If the Optionee’s employment with the Company or any Affiliate terminates for Cause or if the Optionee voluntarily terminates his or her employment, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean: (i) gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Optionee in the performance of the Optionee’s duties to the Company where such gross negligence or willful misconduct has resulted or is likely to result in substantial and material damage to the Company; (ii) any breach by the Optionee of any non-compete agreement or similar agreement between the Optionee and the Company; (iii) any material breach by the Optionee of any confidentiality agreement or similar agreement between the Optionee and the Company; (iv) a material violation by the Optionee of any federal or state law or regulation or the Company’s compliance program in the performance of the Optionee’s duties; (v) commission by the Optionee of any act of fraud with respect to the Company; (vi) the Optionee’s conviction of, or the Optionee’s entry of a guilty plea or plea of nolo contendere with respect to, a felony; (vii) the Optionee’s failure to perform duties consistent with the Optionee’s position or to follow or comply with the reasonable directives of the Board or the Optionee’s supervisor(s), provided that (A) the Optionee shall have received written notice that specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that the Optionee has engaged in such failure and (B) the Optionee shall not have cured such failure within thirty (30) days following receipt of such notice, provided further that such opportunity to cure a failure shall not apply if the Optionee has received more than one notice with respect to the same or similar conduct pursuant to this clause (vii) during any twelve (12) consecutive month period; or (viii) any act or omission that would constitute “cause” under any employment agreement or similar agreement between the Optionee and the Company or its Affiliate, as applicable.


(d) Other Termination . If the Optionee’s employment terminates for any reason other than the Optionee’s death, the Optionee’s Disability, Optionee’s voluntary termination, or Cause, and unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of termination, for a period of three months from the date of termination or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of the Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of termination shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

The Committee’s determination of the reason for termination of the Optionee’s employment shall be conclusive and binding on the Optionee and his or her representatives or legatees.

4. Incorporation of Plan . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Stock Option shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the powers of the Committee set forth in Section 4 of the Plan.

5. Transferability . Unless otherwise approved by the Committee, this Agreement is personal to the Optionee, is non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Except as provided in Section 3(b) of this Agreement, the Stock Option is exercisable, during the Optionee’s lifetime, only by the Optionee, and thereafter, only by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee.

6. Tax Withholding . The Optionee shall, not later than the date as of which the exercise of the Stock Option becomes a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee for payment of any Federal, state, and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event. The minimum required tax withholding obligation may be satisfied, in whole or in part, by the Company withholding from the Option Shares to be issued a number of Shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the withholding amount due.

7. No Obligation to Continue Employment . Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates is obligated by or as a result of the Plan or this Agreement to continue the Optionee in employment and neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any such Affiliate to terminate the employment of the Optionee at any time.

8. Notices . Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Optionee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

9. Amendment . Pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan, the Committee may at any time amend or cancel any outstanding portion of the Stock Option, but no such action may be taken that adversely affects the Optionee’s rights under this Agreement without the Optionee’s consent.

10. Inconsistencies . In the event of any inconsistencies between the terms of this Agreement and the Optionee’s employment agreement with the Company, the terms of said employment agreement shall govern.

11. Electronic Consent . The Company may choose to deliver certain statutory materials relating to the Plan in electronic form. By accepting the Stock Option, the Optionee agrees that the Company may deliver these materials in an electronic format. If at any time the Optionee would prefer to receive paper copies of these documents, as the Optionee is entitled to, the Company will provide paper copies upon written request by the Optionee to the Secretary of the Company.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has executed this Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.

 

CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

By:

   

Name:

   

Title:

   

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned.

 

Dated:                                 

  

 

  

Optionee’s Signature

  

 

  

Optionee’s Name

  

Optionee’s Address:

  

 

  

 

  

 

Exhibit 10.3

RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT

UNDER THE CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

2013 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

 

Name of Grantee:

     

No. of Restricted Shares:

     

Grant Date:

     

Pursuant to the Citizens Holding Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan as amended through the date hereof (the “ Plan ”), Citizens Holding Company (the “ Company ”) hereby grants under this Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) to the Grantee named above the number of Restricted Shares specified above (the “ Restricted Shares ”), subject to the restrictions and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan. The Company acknowledges the receipt from the Grantee of consideration with respect to the par value of the Restricted Shares in the form of cash, past or future services rendered to the Company by the Grantee or such other form of consideration as is acceptable to Committee. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

1. Grantee’s Rights . The Grantee shall have no rights with respect to this Agreement unless he or she shall have accepted this Agreement by (i) signing and delivering to the Company a copy of this Agreement, and (ii) delivering to the Company a stock power endorsed in blank. Upon execution of this Agreement by the Grantee, the Restricted Shares shall be issued and held by the Company’s transfer agent in book entry form, and the Grantee’s name shall be entered as the shareholder of record on the books of the Company. Thereupon, the Grantee shall have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to such shares, including voting and dividend rights, subject, however, to the restrictions and conditions specified in Section 2 below.

2. Restrictions and Conditions .

(a) Any book entries for Restricted Shares granted herein shall bear an appropriate legend, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, to the effect that such shares are subject to restrictions as set forth herein and in the Plan.

(b) Restricted Shares granted herein may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the Grantee prior to vesting.

(c) If the Grantee’s employment with the Company or its Affiliates is voluntarily or involuntarily terminated for any reason (including death) prior to vesting of the Restricted Shares granted herein, all unvested shares of Restricted Shares shall immediately and automatically be forfeited and returned to the Company.

3. Vesting of Restricted Shares . The restrictions and conditions in Section 2 of this Agreement shall lapse on the Vesting Date or Dates specified in the following schedule so long as the Grantee remains in the Employment of the Company or an Affiliate on such dates. If a series of Vesting Dates is specified, then the restrictions and conditions in Section 2 shall lapse only with respect to the number of Restricted Shares specified as vested on such date.


Number of

Shares Vested                                                                                                                                        Vesting Date

  (        %)  
  (        %)  
  (        %)  

Subsequent to such Vesting Date or Dates, the Restricted Shares on which all restrictions and conditions have lapsed shall no longer be deemed Restricted Shares. Once the restrictions and conditions have lapsed, the Company shall instruct its transfer agent to issue a stock certificate representing the vested portion of the Restricted Shares. The Committee may at any time accelerate the vesting schedule specified in this Section 3. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary or in the Plan, in the event of a Change of Control, the Restricted Shares shall become fully vested as of the effective time of the Change of Control.

4. Dividends . Dividends on the Restricted Shares, to the extent declared and paid, shall be paid currently to the Grantee.

5. Tax Withholding . The Grantee shall, not later than the date as of which the receipt of this Agreement becomes a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee for payment of any Federal, state, and local taxes required by law to be withheld on account of such taxable event. Except in the case where an election is made pursuant to Section 6 below, the required minimum tax withholding obligations of the Company may be satisfied, in whole or in part, by the Company withholding from the Restricted Shares to be issued a number of Restricted Shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the withholding amount due.

6. Election Under Section 83(b) . The Grantee and the Company hereby agree that the Grantee may, within 30 days following the acceptance of this Agreement as provided in Section 1 of this Agreement, file with the Internal Revenue Service and the Company an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. In the event the Grantee makes such an election, he or she agrees to provide a copy of the election to the Company. The Grantee acknowledges that he or she is responsible for obtaining the advice of his or her tax advisors with regard to the Section 83(b) election and that he or she is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents with regard to such election.

7. Incorporation of Plan . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Restricted Shares shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the powers of the Committee set forth in Section 4 of the Plan.

8. Transferability . Unless otherwise approved by the Committee, this Agreement is personal to the Grantee, is non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

9. No Obligation to Continue Employment . Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates is obligated by or as a result of the Plan or this Agreement to continue the Grantee in employment and neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any such Affiliate to terminate the employment of the Grantee at any time.

10. Notices . Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Grantee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.


11. Amendment . Pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan, the Committee may at any time amend, alter or discontinue the Plan, but no such action may be taken that adversely affects the Grantee’s rights under this Agreement without the Grantee’s consent.

12. Electronic Consent . The Company may choose to deliver certain statutory materials relating to the Plan in electronic form. By accepting the Restricted Shares, the Grantee agrees that the Company may deliver these materials in an electronic format. If at any time the Grantee would prefer to receive paper copies of these documents, as the Grantee is entitled to, the Company will provide paper copies upon written request by the Grantee to the Secretary of the Company.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has executed this Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.

 

CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

By:

   

Name:

   

Title:

   

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned.

 

Dated:                                 

  

 

  

Grantee’s Signature

  

 

  

Grantee’s Name

  

Grantee’s Address:

  

 

  

 

  

 

Exhibit 10.4

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

UNDER THE CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

2013 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

 

Name of Optionee:

  

 

  

No. of Option Shares:

  

 

  

Option Exercise Price Per Share:

  

$

  
  

[FMV on Grant Date]

Grant Date:   

 

  
Expiration Date:   

 

  

Pursuant to the Citizens Holding Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan as amended through the date hereof (the “ Plan ”), Citizens Holding Company (the “ Company ”) hereby grants under this agreement (this “ Agreement ”) to the Optionee named above, who is a director of the Company but is not an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, an option (the “ Stock Option ”) to purchase on or prior to the Expiration Date specified above all or part of the number of Shares specified above at the Option Exercise Price Per Share specified above subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. The Stock Option is not intended to be an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. Capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified in the Plan, unless a different meaning is specified herein.

1. Exercisability Schedule . No portion of the Stock Option may be exercised until such portion shall have become exercisable. Except as set forth below, and subject to the discretion of the Committee to accelerate the exercisability schedule hereunder, the Stock Option shall be exercisable with respect to the following number of Option Shares on the dates indicated:

 

Incremental Number of

Option Shares Exercisable                                                                                                                   Exercisability Date

  (        %)  
  (        %)  
  (        %)  


Once exercisable, the Stock Option shall continue to be exercisable at any time or times prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date, subject to the provisions hereof and of the Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary or in the Plan, in the event of a Change of Control, the Stock Option shall become fully exercisable as of the effective time of the Change of Control.

2. Manner of Exercise .

(a) The Optionee may exercise the Stock Option only in the following manner: from time to time on or prior to the Expiration Date of the Stock Option, the Optionee may give written notice to the Committee of his or her election to purchase some or all of the Option Shares purchasable at the time of such notice. This notice shall specify the number of Option Shares to be purchased.

Payment of the purchase price for the Option Shares may be made by one or more of the following methods: (i) in cash or its equivalent (e.g., by personal check) at the time the Stock Option is exercised, (ii) in Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares being purchased and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by the Committee; provided, that such Shares has been held by the Optionee for no less than six months (or such other period as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment applying generally accepted accounting principles), (iii) partly in cash and partly in Shares (as described in the preceding clause (ii)), (iv) if there is a public market for the Shares at such time, through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell Stock obtained upon the exercise of the Stock Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount out of the proceeds of such sale equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares being purchased; provided that in the event the Optionee chooses to pay the Option Exercise Price Per Share as so provided, the Optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Committee shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure, or (v) through “net settlement” in Shares. In the case of a “net settlement” of a Stock Option, the Company will not require a cash payment of the Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares being purchased, but will reduce the number of Shares issued upon the exercise by the largest number of whole Shares that have a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares set forth in this Agreement. With respect to any remaining balance of the aggregate Option Exercise Price Per Share for the Option Shares, the Company shall accept a cash payment. Payment instruments will be received subject to collection.

The transfer to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the Option Shares will be contingent upon (i) the Company’s receipt from the Optionee of the full purchase price for such Option Shares, as set forth above, (ii) the fulfillment of any other requirements contained herein or in the Plan or in any other agreement or applicable laws and regulations, and (iii) the receipt by the Company of any agreement, statement or other evidence that the Company may require to satisfy itself that the issuance of the Shares pursuant to the exercise of Stock Options under the Plan and any subsequent resale of such Shares will be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.


(b) The Shares purchased upon exercise of the Stock Option shall be transferred to the Optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent upon compliance to the satisfaction of the Committee with all requirements under applicable laws or regulations in connection with such transfer and with the requirements hereof and of the Plan. The determination of the Committee as to such compliance shall be final and binding on the Optionee. The Optionee shall not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any Shares subject to the Stock Option unless and until the Stock Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company or the transfer agent shall have transferred the Shares to the Optionee, and the Optionee’s name shall have been entered as the shareholder of record on the books of the Company.

(c) The minimum number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Option may be exercised at any one time shall be 25 Shares, unless the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Option is being exercised is the total number of Shares subject to exercise under the Stock Option at the time.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or of the Plan, no portion of the Stock Option shall be exercisable after the Expiration Date hereof.

3. Termination as Director . If the Optionee ceases to be a director of the Company, the period within which to exercise the Stock Option may be subject to earlier termination as set forth below.

(a) Termination by Reason of Death . If the Optionee ceases to be a director by reason of the Optionee’s death, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date shall become immediately exercisable in full, whether or not exercisable at such time and may be exercised by his or her legal representative or legatee for a period of 12 months from the date of death or until the Expiration Date, if earlier.

(b) Termination Due to Disability . If the Optionee ceases to be a director by reason of the Optionee’s Disability, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date may be exercised, to the extent exercisable on the date of Disability, by the Optionee, or the Optionee’s legal representative or guardian, as applicable, for a period of 12 months from the date of Disability or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. Any portion of the Stock Option that is not exercisable on the date of Disability shall terminate immediately and be of no further force or effect.

(c) Other Termination . If the Optionee ceases to be a director for any reason other than the Optionee’s death or Disability, any portion of the Stock Option outstanding on such date, to the extent exercisable, may be exercised for a period of three months from the date of termination or until the Expiration Date, if earlier.

4. Incorporation of Plan . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Stock Option shall be subject to and governed by all the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the powers of the Committee set forth in Section 4 of the Plan.


5. Transferability . Unless otherwise approved by the Committee, this Agreement is personal to the Optionee, is non-assignable and is not transferable in any manner, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Except as provided in Section 3(b) of this Agreement, the Stock Option is exercisable, during the Optionee’s lifetime, only by the Optionee, and thereafter, only by the Optionee’s legal representative or legatee.

6. No Obligation to Continue as a Director . Neither the Plan nor the Stock Option confers upon the Optionee any rights to continue to serve as a director.

7. Notices . Notices hereunder shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal place of business and shall be mailed or delivered to the Optionee at the address on file with the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing.

8. Amendment . Pursuant to Section 15 of the Plan, the Committee may at any time amend, alter or discontinue the Plan, but no such action may be taken that adversely affects the Optionee’s rights under this Agreement without the Optionee’s consent.

9. Electronic Consent . The Company may choose to deliver certain statutory materials relating to the Plan in electronic form. By accepting the Stock Option, the Optionee agrees that the Company may deliver these materials in an electronic format. If at any time the Optionee would prefer to receive paper copies of these documents, as the Optionee is entitled to, the Company will provide paper copies upon written request by the Optionee to the Secretary of the Company.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has executed this Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.

 

CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

By:

   

Name:

   

Title:

   

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted and the terms and conditions thereof hereby agreed to by the undersigned.

 

Dated:                                 

  

 

  

Optionee’s Signature

  

 

  

Optionee’s Name

  

Optionee’s Address: