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

 

D ate of Report (Date of ear liest event reported) November 19 , 2018

 

 


 

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY  

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 


 

Florida

 

333-191801

 

27 - 2980805

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

file number)

 

(IRS employer

identification no.)

 

 

1897 Capital Circle NE, Second Floor, Tallahassee , FL

 

3 2 3 0 8

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone n umber, including area code: (850 907 - 23 0 1

 

Not Applicable

(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 1933 (§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.☑

 

 


 

 

 

Item 5.02.

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

 

On November 19, 2018, Prime Meridian Holding Company (“PMHG”) and Prime Meridian Bank (the “Bank”) (collectively, the “Company”) entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Bank Executive Vice President and Senior Lender Chris L. Jensen, Jr. On the same date, the Company also entered into Defined Contribution Agreements (the “DCAs”) with Company Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President Sammie D. Dixon, Jr. and Mr. Jensen.

 

The following summaries of the Employment Agreement and the DCAs do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Employment Agreement and the DCAs, which are attached as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3, respectively, to this Form 8-K and are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Employment Agreement

 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement included in this Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.1, Mr. Jensen is retained as Executive Vice President and Senior Lender of the Bank for a period of three years, subject to an automatic extension for an additional year on each anniversary of the original expiration date of the Agreement. In addition, the term of the Agreement will be extended for an additional three years upon a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the Agreement). Following an extension of the term of the Agreement incident to a Change in Control of the Company, the term of the Agreement will be automatically extended for an additional year on each anniversary of the date of the Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either the Company or Mr. Jensen may cause the term of the Agreement to cease at the end of the then current term by giving the other written notice of not less than 60 days prior to the expiration of the then current term of the Agreement. Termination of Mr. Jensen’s employment for any reason shall constitute his resignation of his positions on the Boards of Directors of PMHG, the Bank, and either of their subsidiaries.

 

The Agreement provides for Mr. Jensen to receive a base salary and automobile allowance, to be eligible to receive an annual bonus, and to participate in the Company’s benefit plans. The Bank will also establish a nonqualified account balance deferred compensation plan for the benefit of Mr. Jensen.

 

If his employment is terminated because of death, Mr. Jensen’s estate is entitled to receive accrued and earned payments or benefits due and a prorated portion of the bonus he received in his final year of employment. If Mr. Jensen’s employment is terminated as a result of disability, then he is entitled to receive accrued and earned payments or benefits due and health and other insurance benefits for a period of twelve months following the date of termination.

 

If employment is terminated by the Company for reasons other than Cause (as defined in the Agreement) or disability, or if Mr. Jensen terminates the Agreement for Good Reason (as defined in the Agreement), Mr. Jensen is entitled to receive his base salary through the date of termination, a prorated portion of the bonus he received in his final year of employment, 12 months of health and other insurance coverage, all other accrued and earned payments or benefits due, and a cash payment equal to two times the average of his base salary over the previous three years. However, if such a termination occurs during the period beginning three months prior to and ending 12 months after a Change in Control, such payment shall equal two times the sum of Mr. Jensen’s then current base salary and the average bonus earned by Mr. Jensen during each of the three calendar years preceding the date of termination.

 

The Agreement includes confidentiality provisions to protect the Company’s proprietary and confidential information. The Agreement also prohibits Mr. Jensen from competing with the Company during the term of the Agreement and during the two-year period following termination by the Company for reasons other than Cause or disability, or termination by Mr. Jensen for Good Reason. During such period, Mr. Jensen will be prohibited from engaging in the business of banking in Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, and Wakulla Counties, Florida and anywhere within 20 miles of a Bank branch office that is operational on the date of termination of the Agreement. The Agreement also restricts Mr. Jensen from soliciting certain existing and prospective customers of the Bank for a period of two years following termination of employment. In addition, during the two-year period following termination of employment, the Agreement restricts Mr. Jensen from inducing any Bank employee to terminate his or her employment with the Bank or to accept employment with any other employer. The foregoing non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-recruitment provisions do not apply if Mr. Jensen’s employment is terminated as a result of the expiration of the Agreement or the nonrenewal of the term of the Agreement.

 

 

 

 

DCAs

 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the DCA included in this Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.2, the Bank shall establish a nonqualified account balance deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) for the benefit of Mr. Dixon, to which the Bank will, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Holding Company (the “ Holding Company Board ”), credit annually an amount then determined to be sufficient to result in an account balance at the date Mr. Dixon would attain age 65 which would be sufficient to pay to Mr. Dixon at least $150,000 of annual retirement benefits for ten (10) years after his qualifying retirement. Payments under the plan shall commence upon the later of (i) Mr. Dixon attaining age 65 and (ii) the date that Mr. Dixon is no longer providing services to the Bank as an employee. All of Mr. Dixon’s rights under the plan shall be subject to all other terms and conditions of that plan.

 

If prior to Mr. Dixon reaching the age of 65: (i) the Company discharges Mr. Dixon for reasons other than cause; (ii) Mr. Dixon becomes permanently disabled; (iii) Mr. Dixon dies; or (iv) on or within 12 months following a Change in Control (as defined in the DCA) Mr. Dixon resigns, the Company shall pay to Mr. Dixon the balance of the Plan. Mr. Dixon will forfeit his interest in the Plan if he is terminated for cause or if grounds exist for his termination for cause.

 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the DCA included in this Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.3, the Bank shall also establish a Plan for the benefit of Mr. Jensen.

 

The terms of the Plan applicable to Mr. Jensen are identical to the terms of the Plan for Mr. Dixon, except that the Bank will, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Holding Company (the “ Holding Company Board ”), credit annually an amount then determined to be sufficient to result in an account balance at the date Mr. Jensen would attain age 65 which would be sufficient to pay to Mr. Jensen at least $50,000 of annual retirement benefits for ten (10) years after his qualifying retirement.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits .

 

(d)

Exhibits

     
 

10.1

Employment Agreement by and between Prime Meridian Holding Company, Inc., Prime Meridian Bank, and Chris L. Jensen, Jr., dated as of November 19, 2018.

 

 

10.2

Defined Contribution Agreement by and between Prime Meridian Holding Company, Inc., Prime Meridian Bank, and Sammie D. Dixon, Jr., dated as of November 19, 2018.

 

 

10.3

Defined Contribution Agreement by and between Prime Meridian Holding Company, Inc., Prime Meridian Bank, and Chris L. Jensen, Jr., dated as of November 19, 2018.

 

 

S IGNATURE

 

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.

 

 

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY

     
     
 

By:

/s/ R. Randy Guemple

   

R. Randy Guemple

   

Chief Financial Officer and

Executive Vice President

 

Date: November 20, 2018

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

Employment AGREEMENT

 

This EMPLOYMENT Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into this 19th day of November, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Prime MeridIan holding company , a Florida corporation (the “ Holding Company ”), Prime MeridIan bank , a Florida bank and wholly owned subsidiary of the Holding Company (the “ Bank ”), and Chris L. Jensen, Jr. (“ Executive ”). The Holding Company and the Bank are collectively referred to herein as the “Bank.”

 

BACKGROUND

 

WHEREAS , Executive is currently engaged as the Executive Vice President/Senior Lender of the Bank; and

 

WHEREAS , the Bank and Executive desire to enter into an employment agreement to memorialize the terms of Executive’s continued employment;

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the payments, consents and acknowledgements described below, in consideration of Executive’s continued employment with the Bank, and in consideration of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of all of which is hereby acknowledged, the Bank and Executive agree as follows:

 

1.      Effective Date; Term . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Bank hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts such employment, for the term commencing on the Effective Date and, unless otherwise earlier terminated pursuant to Section 4 hereof, the close of business on the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Term ”). The third anniversary of the Effective Date is referred to herein as the “ Term End Date .” Beginning on Term End Date and on each anniversary of the Term End Date thereafter, the Term shall, without further action by Executive or the Bank, be extended by an additional one-year period; provided , however , that either party may cause the Term to cease to extend automatically, by giving written notice to the other not less than sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled expiration of the Term. Upon such notice, the Term shall terminate upon the expiration of, as applicable, the Term End Date or the then-current one-year extension period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A attached hereto) occurs during the Term, then, on the effective date of the Change in Control, the Term shall, without further action by Executive or the Bank, be extended by an additional three-year period. Thereafter, the Term shall be extended by an additional one-year period on each anniversary of the Change in Control instead of each anniversary of the Term End Date and the provisions regarding notice of non-extension shall apply to the anniversaries of the Change in Control rather than the anniversaries of the Term End Date.

 

2.      Employment; Extent of Service . Executive is hereby employed on the Effective Date as the Executive Vice President/Senior Lender of the Holding Company and the Bank. In his capacity as the Executive Vice President/Senior Lender, Executive shall have the duties, responsibilities and authority commensurate with such positions and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Holding Company and the Bank. In his capacity as Executive Vice President/Senior Lender, Executive will report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Holding Company and the Bank.

 

3.      Compensation and Benefits .

 

(a)      Base Salary . During the Term, the Bank shall pay to Executive base salary at the rate of $181,541.00 per year (“ Base Salary ”), less normal withholdings, payable in approximately equal bi-weekly or other installments (no less frequently than monthly) as are or become customary under the Bank’s payroll practices for its Executives from time to time. The Bank shall review Executive’s Base Salary annually and may increase or, but only with Executive’s consent, decrease Executive’s Base Salary from year to year. Such adjusted salary then shall become Executive’s Base Salary for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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(b)      Annual Bonus . During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus based upon the achievement of performance goals established from year to year by the Chief Executive Officer and President (the “ Annual Bonus ”). Any Annual Bonus that becomes payable to Executive shall be paid by March 15 th of the fiscal year of the Bank immediately following the year to which such Annual Bonus relates.

 

(c)      Retirement and Welfare Benefit Plans . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in any retirement plans available to other Bank employees similarly situated to Executive (“ Peer Executives ”) and the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Bank, and on the same basis as such Peer Executives.

 

(d)      Expenses . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in the course of performing his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Bank to the extent available to other Peer Executives with respect to travel and other business expenses.

 

(f)      Vacation . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation time annually on a non-cumulative basis to be paid by the Bank.

 

(g)      Automobile Allowance . During the Term, Executive shall receive an automobile allowance of $550.00 per month.

 

(h)      Continuing Education . During the Term, the Bank shall reimburse Executive for the cost of Executive’s professional dues, licensing, membership fees for professional associations and continuing education costs (“ Professional Expenses ”). Reimbursements for Professional Expenses shall be paid within ten (10) business days following Executive’s submission of evidence of the incurrence of such Professional Expenses.

 

(i)      Clawback of Compensation . Executive agrees to repay the gross amount of any compensation previously paid or otherwise made available to Executive under this Agreement that is subject to recovery under any applicable law (including any rule of any exchange or service through which the securities of the Holding Company are then traded) or compensation recoupment policy the Bank may adopt from time to time, including, but not limited to, the following circumstances:

 

(1)     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;

 

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

 

(3)     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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(4)     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 Section 3(i) shall be modified to the extent, and remain in effect for the period, required by applicable law.

 

(j)     The Bank shall establish a nonqualified account balance deferred compensation plan for the benefit of Executive to which the Bank will, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Holding Company (the “ Holding Company Board ”), credit annually an amount then determined to be sufficient to result in an account balance at the date Executive would attain age 65 which would be sufficient to pay to Executive at least $50,000 of annual retirement benefits for ten (10) years after his qualifying retirement. Payments under the plan shall commence upon the later of (i) Executive attaining age 65 and (ii) the date that Executive is no longer providing services to the Bank as an employee. All of Executive’s rights under the plan shall be subject to all other terms and conditions of that plan.

 

4.      Termination of Employment .

 

(a)      Death . Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death.

 

(b)      Disability . If the Bank or Executive determines in good faith that the Disability (as defined below) of Executive has occurred during the Term, either such party may give written notice to the other party of its or his intention to terminate Executive’s employment on account of Executive’s Disability. In such event, Executive’s employment with the Bank shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such written notice by either party, provided that, within the thirty (30) days after such receipt, Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of Executive’s duties. “ Disability ” shall mean the inability of Executive, as reasonably determined by either party, to perform the essential functions of his regular duties and responsibilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, due to a medically determinable physical or mental illness which has lasted (or can reasonably be expected to last) for a period of six (6) consecutive months. At the request of Executive or his personal representative or the Bank, either party’s determination that the Disability of Executive has occurred shall be certified by a physician mutually agreed upon by Executive, or his personal representative, and the Bank.

 

(c)      Termination by Bank . The Bank may terminate Executive’s employment during the Term with or without Cause immediately on written notice to Executive. “ Cause ” shall mean: (i) Executive’s failure to follow the reasonable directions of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Holding Company and the Bank and the failure to cure such failure to the Bank’s satisfaction within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Holding Company and the Bank specifying the particulars of the failure; (ii) any intentional misconduct by Executive in connection with the Bank’s business or relating to Executive’s duties hereunder, or any willful violation of any laws, rules or regulations applicable to banks or the banking industry generally; (iii) Executive’s material failure to comply with the Bank’s written policies and the failure to cure such failure to the Bank’s satisfaction within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Holding Company and the Bank specifying the particulars of the failure; (iv) any act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement by Executive; (v) a material breach of this Agreement that is not cured by Executive within ten (10) days of written notice by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Holding Company and the Bank of the breach; or (vi) the conviction of Executive of, or Executive’s pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude (including pleading guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or lesser charge which results from plea bargaining).

 

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(d)      Termination by Executive .

 

(1)     Executive’s employment may be terminated by Executive without Good Reason (as defined herein) by delivering to the Bank written notice of termination thirty (30) days prior to the desired date of termination.

 

(2)     Executive’s employment may be terminated by Executive with Good Reason by first delivering to the Bank written notice setting forth with specificity the occurrence deemed to give rise to a right to terminate for Good Reason (which notice must be given no later than thirty (30) days after the initial occurrence of such event) (the “ Good Reason Notice ”). If the Bank has not taken action to correct, rescind or otherwise substantially reverse the occurrence supporting termination for Good Reason as identified by Executive within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such Good Reason Notice, then Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason; provided, however, that Executive’s date of termination must occur within a period of ninety (90) days after the occurrence of an event of Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Good Reason ” shall mean any of the following, without Executive’s consent: (i) a material diminution in Executive’s Base Salary; (ii) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities; (iii) the relocation of the Bank’s principal office to a location that is more than twenty-five (25) miles from the location of the Bank’s principal office on the Effective Date; or (iv) any material breach of this Agreement by the Bank. Good Reason shall not include Executive’s death or Disability.

 

5.      Obligations of the Bank upon Termination .

 

(a)      Qualifying Termination . If, during the Term, (i) Executive resigns for Good Reason or (ii) the Bank terminates Executive’s employment other than for Cause or Disability (each, a “ Qualifying Termination ”), then, subject to Section 6 hereof:

 

(1)     the Bank shall pay to Executive in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days after the date of termination, the exact payment date to be determined by the Bank, Executive’s Base Salary through the date of termination to the extent not theretofore paid (the “ Accrued Salary ”), (ii) any earned and unpaid Annual Bonus for any year prior to the year in which the date of termination occurs, and (iii) any unreimbursed business expenses incurred by Executive on or before the date of termination;

 

(2)     Executive shall be entitled to receive a pro rata portion of the Annual Bonus for the year in which the date of termination occurs, equal to (i) the Annual Bonus, if any, that would have been earned by Executive for such year if he had remained employed on such payment date, based on actual performance under applicable financial metrics, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days worked by Executive during such final year and the denominator of which is 365 (the “ Final Year Pro Rata Bonus ”), and such Final Year Pro Rata Bonus shall be paid a single lump sum cash payment at the time such bonus awards are normally paid for such plan year;

 

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(3)     the Bank shall pay to Executive an amount equal to the sum of (x) Executive’s then-current Base Salary plus (y) the average of the Annual Bonuses earned by Executive for each of the three (3) calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the date of termination occurs (the “ Non-CIC Severance Payment ”); provided, however, that if such Qualifying Termination occurs during the period beginning three months prior to, and ending eighteen (18) months after the closing of, a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A attached hereto), then the Bank shall pay to Executive an amount equal to two (2) times the sum of (i) Executive’s then-current Base Salary plus (ii) the average of the Annual Bonuses earned by Executive for each of the three calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the date of termination occurs (the “ CIC Severance Payment ”). Subject to Sections 6 and 12 hereof, the Non-CIC Severance Payment or the CIC Severance Payment, as applicable, shall be paid in a single lump sum in cash within sixty (60) days following the date of termination (except that the excess of the CIC Severance Payment over the non-CIC Severance Payment on the date of the Qualifying Termination shall be paid within sixty (60) days following the date of the closing of the relevant Change in Control if the termination of employment occurs during the period beginning three months prior to and ending on the date of the Change in Control), the exact payment date to be determined by the Bank. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive shall not be entitled to receive both the CIC Severance Payment and the Non-CIC Severance Payment;

 

(4)     if Executive elects to continue participation in any group medical, dental, vision and/or prescription drug plan benefits to which Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents would be entitled under Section 4980B of the Code (COBRA), then for twelve (12) months following the date of termination (the “ COBRA Reimbursement Period ”), the Bank shall pay to Executive monthly payments (the “ COBRA Payments ”) of an amount equal to the excess of (a) the COBRA cost of such coverage over (b) the amount that Executive would have had to pay for such coverage if he had remained employed during the COBRA Reimbursement Period and paid the active employee rate for such coverage, less withholding for taxes and other similar items; provided, however, that (i) if Executive becomes eligible to receive group health benefits under a program of a subsequent employer or otherwise, the Bank’s obligation to pay any portion of the cost of health coverage as described herein shall cease, except as otherwise provided by law; and (ii) the COBRA Reimbursement Period shall only run for the period during which Executive is eligible to elect health coverage under COBRA and timely elects such coverage;

 

(5)      the Bank shall continue to pay (no less frequently than monthly) Executive’s long-term disability premiums and life insurance premiums for Executive for a period of twelve (12) months (the “ Other Premium Payments ”); and

 

(6)     to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Bank shall timely pay or provide to Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Bank and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “ Other Benefits ”).

 

(b)      Termination Other than by Reason of a Qualifying Termination; Expiration of Term . If Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason other than a Qualifying Termination, or if Executive’s employment ends because this Agreement is not renewed in accordance with Section 1, then the Bank shall have no further obligations to Executive or Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Salary and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of his death or Disability, Executive, or his estate or legal representative, as applicable, shall be entitled to the Final Year Pro Rata Bonus and, in the case of a termination by reason of his Disability, COBRA Payments and Other Premium Payments for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of termination.

 

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(c)      Resignations . Termination of Executive’s employment for any reason whatsoever shall constitute Executive’s resignation from the boards of directors of any subsidiary on which he serves, and resignation as an officer of the Holding Company and the Bank, and of any of the subsidiaries for which he serves as an officer.

 

6.      Release of Claims . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Bank shall be obligated to provide the benefits and payments specified in Section 5(a) hereof only if within forty-five (45) days after the date of termination, Executive shall have executed a full general release of claims and covenant not to sue substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and returned same to the Company and such Release Agreement shall not have been revoked within any revocation period specified in the Release Agreement.

 

7.      Protective Covenants .

 

(a)      Definitions . The following capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them below, which definitions shall apply to both the singular and the plural forms of such terms:

 

(i)     “Competitive Services” means engaging in the business of community banking or commercial banking, including, without limitation, originating, underwriting, closing and selling loans, receiving deposits and otherwise engaging in the business of banking, as well as the business of providing any other activities, products, or services of the type conducted, authorized, offered, or provided by the Bank as of Executive’s Termination Date, or during the two (2) years immediately prior to Executive’s Termination Date.

 

(ii)     “Confidential Information” means any and all data and information relating to the Bank, its activities, business, or clients that (i) is disclosed to Executive or of which Executive becomes aware as a consequence of his employment with the Bank; (ii) has value to the Bank; and (iii) is not generally known outside of the Bank. “Confidential Information” shall include, but is not limited to the following types of information regarding, related to, or concerning the Bank: trade secrets (as defined by applicable law); financial plans and data; management planning information; business plans; operational methods; market studies; marketing plans or strategies; pricing information; product development techniques or plans; customer lists; customer files, data and financial information; details of customer contracts; current and anticipated customer requirements; identifying and other information pertaining to business referral sources; past, current and planned research and development; computer aided systems, software, strategies and programs; business acquisition plans; management organization and related information (including, without limitation, data and other information concerning the compensation and benefits paid to officers, directors, employees and management); personnel and compensation policies; new personnel acquisition plans; and other similar information. “Confidential Information” also includes combinations of information or materials which individually may be generally known outside of the Bank, but for which the nature, method, or procedure for combining such information or materials is not generally known outside of the Bank. In addition to data and information relating to the Bank, “Confidential Information” also includes any and all data and information relating to or concerning a third party that otherwise meets the definition set forth above, that was provided or made available to the Bank by such third party, and that the Bank has a duty or obligation to keep confidential. This definition shall not limit any definition of “confidential information” or any equivalent term under state or federal law. “Confidential Information” shall not include information that has become generally available to the public by the act of one who has the right to disclose such information without violating any right or privilege of the Bank.

 

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(iii)     “Material Contact” means contact between Executive and a customer or potential customer of the Bank (i) with whom or which Executive has or had dealings on behalf of the Bank; (ii) whose dealings with the Bank are or were coordinated or supervised by Executive; (iii) about whom Executive obtains Confidential Information in the ordinary course of business as a result of his employment with the Bank; or (iv) who receives products or services of the Bank, the sale or provision of which results or resulted in compensation, commissions, or earnings for Executive within the two (2) years prior to Executive’s Termination Date.

 

(iv)     “Person” means any individual or any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity or enterprise.

 

(v)     “Principal or Representative” means a principal, owner, partner, shareholder, joint venturer, investor, member, trustee, director, officer, manager, employee, agent, representative or consultant.

 

(vi)     “Protected Customer” means any Person to whom the Bank has sold its products or services or actively solicited to sell its products or services, and with whom Executive has had Material Contact on behalf of the Bank during his employment with the Bank.

 

(viii)     “Non-Compete Restricted Period” means any time during Executive’s employment with the Bank, and, if Executive incurs a Qualifying Termination, then the Non-Compete Restricted Period shall mean during Executive’s employment plus two (2) years from Executive’s Termination Date by reason of such Qualifying Termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if either the Bank or Executive provides notice to the other party under Section 1 to cause the Term to cease to extend automatically, then the Non-Compete Restricted Period shall end upon expiration of the Term.

 

(ix)     “Non-Recruitment Restricted Period” means any time during Executive’s employment with the Bank, plus two (2) years from Executive’s Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if either the Bank or Executive provides notice to the other party under Section 1 to cause the Term to cease to extend automatically, then the Non-Recruitment Restricted Period shall end upon expiration of the Term.

 

(x)     “Non-Solicitation Restricted Period” means any time during Executive’s employment with the Bank, plus two (2) years from Executive’s Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if either the Bank or Executive provides notice to the other party under Section 1 to cause the Term to cease to extend automatically, then the Non-Solicitation Restricted Period shall end upon expiration of the Term.

 

(xi)     “Restricted Territory” means Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla Counties in the State of Florida, and anywhere within a twenty (20) mile radius of a branch office of the Bank that is operational as of the Termination Date.

 

(xii)     “Restrictive Covenants” means the restrictive covenants contained in Section 7(b) through 7(f) hereof.

 

(xiii)     “Termination” means the termination of Executive’s employment with the Bank, for any reason, whether with or without cause, upon the initiative of either party.

 

(xiv)     “Termination Date” means the date of Executive’s Termination.

 

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(b)      Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Confidential Information . Executive agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use any Confidential Information on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any Person other than the Bank, or reveal, divulge, or disclose any Confidential Information to any Person not expressly authorized by the Bank to receive such Confidential Information. This obligation shall remain in effect for as long as the information or materials in question retain their status as Confidential Information. Executive further agrees that he shall fully cooperate with the Bank in maintaining the Confidential Information to the extent permitted by law. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, alter either the Bank’s rights or Executive’s obligations under any state or federal statutory or common law regarding trade secrets and unfair trade practices. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive shall not be restricted from: (i) disclosing information that is required to be disclosed by law, court order or other valid and appropriate legal process; provided, however , that in the event such disclosure is required by law, Executive shall provide the Bank with prompt notice of such requirement so that the Bank may seek an appropriate protective order prior to any such required disclosure by Executive; or (ii) reporting possible violations of federal, state, or local law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal, state, or local law or regulation, and Executive shall not need the prior authorization of the Bank to make any such reports or disclosures and shall not be required to notify the Bank that Executive has made such reports or disclosures.

 

(c)      Non-Competition . Executive agrees that, during the Non-Compete Restricted Period, he will not, without prior written consent of the Bank, directly or indirectly (a) carry on or engage in Competitive Services within the Restricted Territory on his own or on behalf of any Person or any Principal or Representative of any Person, or (b) own, manage, operate, join, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control, of any business, whether in corporate, proprietorship or partnership form or otherwise where such business is engaged in the provision of Competitive Services within the Restricted Territory.

 

(d)      Non-Solicitation of Protected Customers . Executive agrees that, during the Non-Solicitation Restricted Period, he shall not, without the prior written consent of the Bank, directly or indirectly, on his own behalf or as a Principal or Representative of any Person, solicit, divert, take away, or attempt to solicit, divert, or take away a Protected Customer for the purpose of engaging in, providing, or selling Competitive Services.

 

(e)      Non-Recruitment of Employees . Executive agrees that during the Non-Recruitment Restricted Period, he shall not, without the prior written consent of the Bank, directly or indirectly, whether on his own behalf or as a Principal or Representative of any Person, solicit or induce or attempt to solicit or induce any employee of the Bank to terminate his employment relationship with the Bank or to enter into employment with Executive or any other Person.

 

(f)      Return of Materials . Executive agrees that he will not retain or destroy (except as set forth below), and will immediately return to the Bank on or prior to the Termination Date, or at any other time the Bank requests such return, any and all property of the Bank that is in his possession or subject to his control, including, but not limited to, keys, credit and identification cards, personal items or equipment, customer files and information, papers, drawings, notes, manuals, specifications, designs, devices, code, email, documents, flash drives, CDs, keys, access cards, credit cards, identification cards, computers, mobile devices, other electronic media, all other files and documents relating to the Bank and its business (regardless of form, but specifically including all electronic files and data of the Bank), together with all Confidential Information belonging to the Bank or that Executive received from or through his employment with the Bank. Executive will not make, distribute, or retain copies of any such information or property.

 

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(g)      Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants .

 

(i)      Rights and Remedies Upon Breach . The parties specifically acknowledge and agree that the remedy at law for any breach of the Restrictive Covenants will be inadequate, and that in the event Executive breaches, or threatens to breach, any of the Restrictive Covenants, the Bank shall have the right and remedy, without the necessity of proving actual damage or posting any bond, to enjoin, preliminarily and permanently, Executive from violating or threatening to violate the Restrictive Covenants and to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction, it being agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Bank and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Bank.

 

(ii)      Severability and Modification of Covenants . Executive acknowledges and agrees that each of the Restrictive Covenants is reasonable and valid in time and scope and in all other respects. The parties agree that it is their intention that the Restrictive Covenants be enforced in accordance with their terms to the maximum extent permitted by law. Each of the Restrictive Covenants shall be considered and construed as a separate and independent covenant. Should any part or provision of any of the Restrictive Covenants be held invalid, void, or unenforceable, such invalidity, voidness, or unenforceability shall not render invalid, void, or unenforceable any other part or provision of this Agreement or such Restrictive Covenant. If any of the provisions of the Restrictive Covenants should ever be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to exceed the scope permitted by the applicable law, such provision or provisions shall be automatically modified to such lesser scope as such court may deem just and proper for the reasonable protection of the Bank’s legitimate business interests and may be enforced by the Bank to that extent in the manner described above and all other provisions of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable.

 

8.      Non-exclusivity of Rights . Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Executive’s continuing or future participation in any employee benefit plan, program, policy or practice provided by Parent or its affiliated companies and for which Executive may qualify, except as specifically provided herein. Amounts that are vested benefits or which Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of the Bank or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the date of termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

 

9.      Full Settlement; No Mitigation . The Bank’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Bank may have against Executive or others. In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Executive obtains other employment.

 

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10.      Limitation of Benefits .

 

(a)     Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event it shall be determined that any benefit, payment or distribution by the Bank to or for the benefit of Executive (whether payable or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise) (such benefits, payments or distributions are hereinafter referred to as “ Payments ”) would, if paid, be an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, but for the application of this sentence (“ Parachute Payments ”), then the aggregate present value of the Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to an amount expressed in present value that maximizes the aggregate present value of the Payments without causing the Payments or any part thereof to be Parachute Payments; 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 Payments to be provided, determined on an after-tax basis (taking into account the excise tax imposed by 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 Executive or the Bank, the determination of whether any reduction in such Payments is required pursuant to the preceding sentence will be made at the expense of the Bank by an independent, nationally recognized accounting firm or compensation consulting firm mutually acceptable to the Bank and Executive (the “ Determination Firm ”). In the event the Payments are required to be reduced pursuant to this Section, the Payments will be reduced by category in the following order: (a) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are subject to Code Section 409A (beginning with the amounts with the latest payment dates); (b) reduction or elimination of cash severance benefits that are not subject to Code Section 409A(beginning with the amounts with the latest payment dates); (c) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Payments that are subject to Code Section 409A(beginning with the amounts with the latest payment dates); (d) reduction or elimination of any remaining portion of the Payments that are not subject to Code Section 409A (beginning with the amounts with the latest payment dates) and (e) cancellation of accelerated vesting of 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 maximizes the aggregate Payments to be provided, determined on an after-tax basis.

 

(b)     Section 7 of this Agreement contains covenants of Executive to refrain from certain activities deemed harmful to the Bank for a set period of time in exchange for the promises contained herein. If Executive is deemed eligible to receive Payments under this Agreement that could be subject to the Excise Tax, the Bank shall seek a valuation from the Determination Firm to determine the value of the covenants contained in Section 7 of this Agreement 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 the covenants contained in Sections 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement by the Accountants not be considered a Parachute Payment for purposes of this Section 4.4.

 

(c)     For purposes of this Section 10, present value shall be determined in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code. All determinations required to be made under this Section 10, including whether an Excise Tax would otherwise be imposed, whether the Payments shall be reduced, the amount of the reduction, and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determinations, shall be made in writing and in good faith by the Determination Firm, which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Bank and Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from Executive that a Payment is due to be made, or such earlier time as is requested by the Bank. All fees and expenses of the Determination Firm shall be borne solely by the Bank. The Bank and Executive shall provide the Determination Firm with such information and documents as the Determination Firm may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 10. The Determination Firm’s determinations shall be final and binding on the Bank and Executive.

 

11.      Successors . This Agreement is personal to Executive and shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s legal representatives. This Agreement can be assigned by the Bank and shall be binding and inure to the benefit of the Bank, its successors and assigns.

 

12.      Code Section 409A .

 

(a)      General . 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 (and any applicable transition relief under Section 409A of the Code). 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 Executive as a result of the application of Section 409A of the Code.

 

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(b)      Definitional Restrictions . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any amount or benefit that would constitute non-exempt “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code (“ Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation ”) would otherwise be payable or distributable hereunder by reason of a Change in Control or Executive’s termination of employment, such Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation will not be payable or distributable to Executive by reason of such circumstance unless (i) the Change in Control satisfies the definition of a change in the ownership or effective control of the Bank or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Bank and (ii) the circumstances giving rise to such termination of employment meet any description or definition of “separation from service,” in each case within the meanings under Section 409A of the Code and applicable regulations (without giving effect to any elective provisions that may be available under such definition). This provision does not affect the dollar amount or prohibit the vesting of any Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation upon a termination of employment, however defined. If this provision prevents the payment or distribution of any Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation, such payment or distribution shall be made at the time and in the form that would have applied absent the non-409A-conforming event.

 

(c)      Treatment of Installment Payments . Each payment of termination benefits under Section 5 of this Agreement, including, without limitation, each installment payment and each payment or reimbursement of premiums for continued medical, dental, disability or life insurance coverage, shall be considered a separate payment, as described in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-2(b)(2), for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(d)      Timing of Release of Claims . Whenever in this Agreement a payment or benefit is conditioned on Executive’s execution of a release of claims, such release must be executed and delivered to the Bank and all revocation periods shall have expired within 60 days after the date of termination; failing which such payment or benefit shall be forfeited. If such payment or benefit constitutes Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation, then such payment or benefit (including any installment payments) that would have otherwise been payable during such 60-day period shall be accumulated and paid on the 60 th day after the date of termination provided such release shall have been executed and such revocation periods shall have expired. If such payment or benefit is exempt from Section 409A of the Code, the Bank may elect to make or commence payment at any time during such period.

 

(e)      Six-Month Delay in Certain Circumstances . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any amount or benefit that would constitute Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation would otherwise be payable or distributable under this Agreement by reason of Executive’s separation from service during a period in which he is a Specified Employee (as defined below), then, subject to any permissible acceleration of payment by the Bank under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ii) (domestic relations order), (j)(4)(iii) (conflicts of interest), or (j)(4)(vi) (payment of employment taxes): (i) the amount of such Non-Exempt Deferred Compensation that would otherwise be payable during the six-month period immediately following Executive’s separation from service will be accumulated through and paid or provided on the first day of the seventh month following Executive’s separation from service (or, if Executive dies during such period, within 30 days after Executive’s death) (in either case, the “ Required Delay Period ”); and (ii) the normal payment or distribution schedule for any remaining payments or distributions will resume at the end of the Required Delay Period. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Specified Employee” has the meaning given such term in Code Section 409A and the final regulations thereunder.

 

11

 

 

(f)      Timing of Reimbursements and In-kind Benefits . If Executive is entitled to be paid or reimbursed for any taxable expenses under this Agreement, including but not limited to Sections 3(d), 3(g), 3(h), 5(a)(4), 5(a)(5) or 14(1) and such payments or reimbursements are includible in Executive’s federal gross taxable income, the amount of such expenses reimbursable in any one calendar year shall not affect the amount reimbursable in any other calendar year, and the reimbursement of an eligible expense must be made no later than December 31 of the year after the year in which the expense was incurred. No right of Executive to reimbursement of expenses under this Agreement, including but not limited to Sections 3(d), 3(g), 3(h), 5(a)(4), 5(a)(5) or 14(1) shall be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

13.      Regulatory Action .

 

(a)     If Executive is removed and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e)(4) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“ FDIA ”) (12 U.S.C. 1818(e)(4) and (g)(1)), all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate, as of the effective date of such order.

 

(b)     If Executive is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by a notice served under Section 8(e)(3) or 8(g)(1) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. 1818(e)(3) and (g)(1)), all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement shall be suspended as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Bank shall reinstate (in whole or in part) any of its obligations which were suspended.

 

(c)     If the Bank is in default (as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA), all obligations under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default.

 

(d)     All obligations under this Agreement shall be terminated, except to the extent a determination is made that continuation of the Agreement is necessary for the continued operation of the Bank (1) by the director of the FDIC or his or his designee (the “ Director ”), at the time the FDIC enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority contained in 12(c) of the FDIA; or (2) by the Director, at the time the Director approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to operation of the Bank when the Bank is determined by the Director to be in an unsafe and unsound condition.

 

(e)     Notwithstanding the timing for the payment of any severance amounts described in Section 5, no such payments shall be made or commence, as applicable, that require the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency of the Bank pursuant to 12 C.F.R. Section 359 prior to the receipt of such concurrence or consent. The Bank shall have the obligation to submit an application to make such payment to the appropriate federal banking agency within fifteen (15) business days of Executive’s right to such payment arising and shall provide a copy of such application to Executive. Any payments suspended by operation of this Section 13(e) 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.

 

(f)     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 or federal banking laws.

 

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14.      Miscellaneous .

 

(a)      Applicable Law; Forum Selection; Consent to Jurisdiction : The Bank and Executive agree that this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida without giving effect to its conflicts of law principles. Executive agrees that the exclusive forum for any action to enforce this Agreement, as well as any action relating to or arising out of this Agreement, shall be the state or federal courts of the State of Florida. With respect to any such court action, Executive hereby (i) irrevocably submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts; (ii) consents to service of process; (iii) consents to venue; and (iv) waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction, service of process, or venue. The parties hereto further agree that the state and federal courts of the State of Florida are convenient forums for any dispute that may arise herefrom and that neither party shall raise as a defense that such courts are not convenient forums.

 

(b)      Captions . The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.

 

(c)      Amendments . This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than-by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

 

(d)      Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows: if to Executive, the address on file with the Bank, and if to the Bank, Prime Meridian Bank, 1897 Capital Circle NE, Second Floor, Tallahassee, Florida, Attention: Jill McMillan, or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.

 

(e)      Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

 

(f)      Withholding . The Bank may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

(g)      Waivers . Failure of either party to insist, in one or more instances, on performance by the other in strict accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of any right granted in this Agreement or of the future performance of any such term or condition or of any other term or condition of this Agreement, unless such waiver is contained in a writing signed by the party making the waiver.

 

(h)      Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Bank and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and, from and after the date hereof, this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement, written or oral, between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.      

 

(i)      Construction . The parties understand and agree that because they both have been given the opportunity to have counsel review and revise this Agreement, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. Instead, the language of all parts of this Agreement shall be construed as a whole, and according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against either of the parties.

 

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

 

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(k)      Third Party Beneficiary . The parties acknowledge and agree that the Holding Company is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Agreement and may enforce the Bank’s rights hereunder.

 

(l)      Legal Fees . If, after a Change of Control, it appears to Executive that (a) the Bank has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (b) the Bank 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 Bank irrevocably authorizes Executive from time to time to retain counsel of his choice, at the Bank’s expense, to represent Executive in connection with the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Bank or any of its affiliated companies or any director, officer, shareholder, or other person affiliated with the Bank. The fees and expenses of counsel selected from time to time by Executive as provided in this Section 14(l) shall be paid or reimbursed to Executive by the Bank, whether suit or an arbitration proceeding has been brought or not. The Bank’s obligation to pay Executive’s legal fees provided by this Section 14(l) operates separately from and in addition to any legal fee reimbursement obligation the Bank have with Executive under any separate severance or other agreement.

 

[Signature Page to Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , Executive has hereunto set Executive’s hand and the Bank has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

      PRIME MERIDIAN BANK
           
           
By: /s/ Chris L. Jensen, Jr.   By: /s/ Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.  
Name: Chris L. Jensen, Jr.     Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.  
  Executive Vice President &     President & Chief Executive Officer  
  Senior Lender        
           
      PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY
           
           
      By: /s/ Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.  
        Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.  
        President & Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Change in Control

 

For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Change in Control ” shall mean (i) any transaction, whether by merger, consolidation, asset sale, recapitalization, reorganization, combination, stock purchase, tender offer, reverse stock split, or otherwise, which results in the acquisition of, or beneficial ownership (as such term is defined under rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) by any entity, person or any group thereof acting in concert, of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Holding Company; or (ii) the sale of 50% or more of the collective assets of the Holding Company.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the occurrence of a Change in Control alone shall not trigger any payments under this Agreement. Rather, the occurrence of a Change in Control shall (i) impact the Term, pursuant to Section 1 of this Agreement, (ii) dictate the formula for the severance payment, if applicable, pursuant to Section 5(a)(3) of this Agreement and (iii) provide for the time for payment of additional severance in connection with the Change in Control.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of the Effective Date, as defined in Paragraph 6 hereof, by and between Prime MeridIan bank (the “ Bank ”), PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY (“ PMHC ” and, together with the Bank, collectively referred to herein as the “ Company ”) and __________ (“ Executive ”). Together, the Company and Executive may be referred to hereinafter as the “Parties.”

 

In consideration of the payments, covenants and releases described below, and in consideration of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of all of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

 

1.      Separation from Employment . Executive’s employment with the Company ended on _______________ (the “ Termination Date ”). Executive will receive by separate letter information regarding his rights regarding continuation of health insurance under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code (“ COBRA ”), and to the extent that Executive has such rights, nothing in this Agreement will change or impair those rights.

 

2.      Separation Obligations of the Company . In consideration of Executive’s promises contained in this Agreement, the Company agrees as follows:

 

[Insert compensation based on relevant portion of Section 5(a).]

 

The Parties acknowledge and agree that the payments and benefits set forth in this Paragraph 2 exceed any and all actions, pay, and benefits that the Company might otherwise have owed to Executive by contract or law, and that the payments and benefits set forth in this Paragraph 2 constitute good, valuable, and sufficient consideration for Executive’s release and agreements herein. The Company’s obligation to provide the payments and benefits set forth in this Paragraph 2 is expressly contingent on Executive executing and not revoking this Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 6 below.

 

3.      General Release of Claims . In consideration of the payments made to him by the Company and the promises contained in this Agreement, Executive on behalf of himself and his agents and successors in interest, hereby UNCONDITIONALLY RELEASES AND DISCHARGES the Company, its successors, subsidiaries, parent companies (including, without limitation, Prime Meridian Holding Company), assigns, joint ventures, and affiliated companies and their respective agents, legal representatives, shareholders, attorneys, employees, members, managers, officers and directors (collectively, the “ Releasees ”) from ALL CLAIMS, LIABILITIES, DEMANDS AND CAUSES OF ACTION which he may by law release, as well as all contractual obligations not expressly set forth in this Agreement, whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, that he may have or claim to have against any Releasee for any reason as of the date of execution of this Agreement. This Release and Covenant Not To Sue includes, but is not limited to, claims arising under federal, state or local laws prohibiting employment discrimination; claims arising under severance plans and contracts; and claims growing out of any legal restrictions on the Company’s rights to terminate its employees or to take any other employment action, whether statutory, contractual or arising under common law or case law. Executive specifically acknowledges and agrees that he is releasing any and all rights under federal, state and local employment laws including without limitation the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the anti-retaliation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and any and all other local, state, and federal law claims arising under statute or common law. It is agreed that this is a general release and it is to be broadly construed as a release of all claims, except those that cannot be released by law. This Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission by the Company or any of the Releasees of wrongdoing or liability or that Executive has any rights against the Company or any of the Releasees. Executive represents and agrees that he has not transferred or assigned, to any person or entity, any claim that he is releasing in this Paragraph 3.

 

 

 

 

4.      Protected Rights .  Executive understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits his ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (“ Government Agencies ”).  Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit his ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agencies in connection with any charge or complaint, whether filed by Executive, on his behalf, or by any other individual.  However, based on Executive’s release of claims set forth in Paragraph 3 of this Agreement, Executive understands that he is releasing all claims that he may have, as well as, to the extent permitted by applicable law, his right to recover monetary damages or obtain other relief that is personal to Executive in connection with any claim he is releasing under this Agreement.

 

5.      Acknowledgment . The Company hereby advises Executive to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement and Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company has advised, and hereby does advise, him of his opportunity to consult an attorney or other advisor and has not in any way discouraged him from doing so. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that he has been offered at least twenty-one (21) days to consider this Agreement before signing it, that he has read this Agreement and Release carefully, that he has had sufficient time and opportunity to consult with an attorney or other advisor of his choosing concerning the execution of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he fully understands that the Agreement is final and binding, that it contains a full release of all claims and potential claims, and that the only promises or representations he has relied upon in signing this Agreement are those specifically contained in the Agreement itself. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he is signing this Agreement voluntarily, with the full intent of releasing the Company from all claims covered by Paragraph 3.

 

6.      Revocation and Effective Date . The Parties agree Executive may revoke the Agreement at will within seven (7) days after he executes the Agreement by giving written notice of revocation to Company. Such notice must be delivered to _______________, and must actually be received by [him/her] at or before the above-referenced seven-day deadline. The Agreement may not be revoked after the expiration of the seven-day deadline. In the event that Executive revokes the Agreement within the revocation period described in this Paragraph, this Agreement shall not be effective or enforceable, and all rights and obligations hereunder shall be void and of no effect. Assuming that Executive does not revoke this Agreement within the revocation period described above, the effective date of this Agreement (the “ Effective Date ”) shall be the eighth (8 th ) day after the day on which Executive executes this Agreement.

 

7.      Termination of Employment Agreement; Survival of Protective Covenants . Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Employment Agreement is hereby terminated, without further action by the Parties, as of the Termination Date and shall be of no further force and effect, and that except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall have no continuing obligations to Executive under the Employment Agreement; provided, however, that Sections 7 and 14 of the Employment Agreement shall survive and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.

 

 

 

 

8.      Confidentiality of Agreement . Executive agrees not to disclose the underlying facts that led up to this Agreement or the terms, amount, or existence of this Agreement or the benefits Executive is receiving under this Agreement to anyone other than a member of his immediate family, attorney, or other professional advisor and, even as to such a person, only if the person agrees to honor this confidentiality requirement. Such a person’s violation of this confidentiality requirement will be treated as a violation of this Agreement by Executive. This Paragraph 8 does not prohibit Executive from disclosing the terms, amount, or existence of this Agreement to the extent necessary legally to enforce this Agreement. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive shall not be restricted from disclosing information that is required to be disclosed by law, court order, other valid and appropriate legal process, or a valid request by a Government Agency.

 

9.      Final Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements between the Parties, except as set forth in Paragraph 7 above. The Parties agree that this Agreement may not be modified except by a written document signed by both Parties. The Parties agree that this Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.

 

10.      Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Florida without giving effect to its conflict of law principles.

 

11.      Waiver . The failure of either party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of any such provision. Any waiver of any provision of this Agreement must be in a writing signed by the party making such waiver. No waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall be held to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

 

12.      Enforcement . In the event that either Party initiates a lawsuit against the other Party to enforce its rights under this Agreement or otherwise relating to or arising under this Agreement, the Party that prevails in such lawsuit shall be entitled to recover from the other Party his or its attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in connection with such lawsuit.

 

13.      Code Section 409A . 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 Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) and applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder. The tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed to Executive, who is responsible for all taxes assessed on any payments made pursuant to this Agreement, whether under Section 409A of the Code or otherwise. Neither the Company nor its directors, officers, employees or advisers shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties or other monetary amounts owed by Executive as a result of the application of Section 409A of the Code.

 

[Signature Page to Follow]

 

 

 

 

The Parties hereby signify their agreement to these terms by their signatures below.

 

EMPLOYEE  
   
   
/s/ Chris L. Jensen, Jr.  
Name: Chris L. Jensen, Jr.  
     
Date: November 19, 2018  
     
PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY  
     
     
By: /s/ Sammie D. Dixon, Jr  
  Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.  
  President & Chief Executive Officer  
     
     
Date: November 19, 2018  
     
PRIME MERIDIAN BANK  
     
     
By: /s/ Sammie D. Dixon, Jr .  
  Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.  
  President & Chief Executive Officer  
     
     
Date: November 19, 2018  

 

 

[Signature Page to Separation Agreement]

Exhibit 10.2

 

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

This DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into this 19 th day of November, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and among PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY , a Florida corporation (the “ Holding Company ”), PRIME MERIDIAN BANK , a Florida bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Holding Company (the “ Bank ” and collectively with the Holding Company, the “ Employer ”), and SAMMIE D. DIXON, JR. (the “ Executive ”). Capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 10 of this Agreement.

 

BACKGROUND

 

In connection with the Bank’s employment of the Executive pursuant to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated the 19 th day of July, 2018, by and among the Employer and the Executive (the “ Employment Agreement ”), and to incentivize the Executive to devote his full business time, attention, and energies to the business of the Employer, the Employer has agreed to provide the Executive with the compensation and benefits set forth in the Executive’s Employment Agreement.

 

Section 3(k) of the Employment Agreement provides that the Bank shall establish a nonqualified account balance deferred compensation plan for the benefit of Executive, consistent with the terms set forth therein.

 

The Employer and the Executive now desire to enter into this Agreement to establish the terms and conditions of the nonqualified account balance deferred compensation plan to be maintained by the Employer on the Executive’s behalf pursuant to Section 3(k) of the Employment Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.      General Terms and Conditions . The Bank hereby establishes a nonqualified account balance deferred compensation plan for the benefit of the Executive, in accordance with the terms of Section 3(k) of the Employment Agreement. Section 2 below describes the benefits available to the Executive, or the Executive’s Beneficiary, upon the occurrence of certain events as described in, and subject to the terms and conditions of, this Agreement; provided the Executive remains in the Continuous Service of the Employer from the Effective Date until the specified event. Each benefit described in Section 2 is in lieu of any other benefit therein. No benefits under this Agreement shall be payable with respect to any event other than the events described below, and the benefits otherwise payable pursuant to Section 2 below are subject to the further limitations in Section 2 (g) .

 

2.      Retirement Benefits .

 

(a)      Termination on or after Normal Retirement Age . If Executive remains in the Continuous Service of the Employer until on or after attaining Normal Retirement Age, then following the date on which the Executive experiences a Separation from Service on or after Normal Retirement Age (the “ Normal Retirement Date ”) for any reason other than (i) discharge of the Executive by the Employer for Cause, (ii) because the Executive dies or becomes Permanently Disabled or (iii) on or within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control, the Bank shall pay to the Executive an annual benefit for fifteen (15) years equal to the Executive’s Account Balance at Executive’s Normal Retirement Age divided by fifteen (15) (rounded down to the nearest whole dollar) (without interest). Payment of the annual benefit shall commence upon the Executive’s Normal Retirement Date, beginning with the month immediately following the Executive’s Normal Retirement Date, and be paid in equal monthly installments (without interest) on the first day of each month thereafter until paid in full.

 

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(b)      Termination Prior to Normal Retirement Age . If prior to the Executive attaining Normal Retirement Age, (i) the Employer involuntarily discharges Executive for any reason other than (A) for Cause, (B) because the Executive becomes Permanently Disabled or (C) on or within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control or (ii) the Executive resigns other than (A) because the Executive becomes Permanently Disabled or (B) on or within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control, then the Bank shall pay to the Executive in a single lump sum on or within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s Separation from Service an amount equal to the Executive’s Account Balance at the time of Executive’s Separation from Service.

 

(c)      Termination in Connection w ith a Change in Control . If before, on or after Normal Retirement Age, (i) the Employer on or within the twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control involuntarily discharges Executive other than (A) for Cause or (B) because the Executive becomes Permanently Disabled or (ii) the Executive on or within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control resigns other than because the Executive becomes Permanently Disabled, then the Bank shall pay to the Executive in a single lump sum on or within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s Separation from Service an amount equal to the Executive’s Account Balance at the time of Executive’s Separation from Service.

 

(d)      Disability . If Executive becomes Permanently Disabled before any event described in Subsections (a), (b) or (c) above, the Employer shall pay to the Executive in a single lump sum on or within thirty (30) days following the date on which the Executive becomes Permanently Disabled an amount equal to the Executive’s Account Balance at the time Executive becomes Permanently Disabled.

 

(e)      Death . If Executive dies while in the employ of the Employer and before the occurrence of any event triggering the Executive’s entitlement to a benefit under Subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) above, then the Bank shall pay to the Executive’s Beneficiary in a single lump sum on or within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s death an amount equal to the Executive’s Account Balance at the time of Executive’s death. If Executive dies after the occurrence of any event triggering the Executive’s entitlement to a benefit under Subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) above and prior to payment of Executive’s entire Account Balance, the Executive’s Beneficiary shall receive in a single lump sum on or within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s death an amount equal to the Executive’s remaining Account Balance at the time of Executive’s death.

 

(f)      Forfeiture of Benefits; Regulatory Limitations . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if (i) the Employer discharges the Executive for Cause, or grounds exist for the Employer to discharge the Executive for Cause, regardless of whether an event triggering an entitlement to a benefit under Subsection (a) through (e) has occurred, no benefits shall be paid under this Agreement and any previously paid amounts shall be repaid to Employer by Executive upon five (5) days’ notice. The obligations of the Employer under this Agreement are further subject to its adherence to applicable state and federal banking regulations, rules, or statutes.

 

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(g)      Temporary Suspension Applicable to a Specified Employee . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2 , if Executive is a “specified employee,” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, as of the date of Executive’s Separation from Service with the Employer other than by reason of death, payment of benefit amounts otherwise due shall be delayed to the extent necessary under Code Section 409A until the earlier of six (6) months after Separation from Service or the date of Executive’s death, as applicable. Any payments that are so delayed shall be paid in a single lump sum in cash in the seventh month following Executive’s Separation from Service or, within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s death, if earlier.

 

3.      Amendment; Termination . This Agreement may be amended or terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Employer and the Executive. The Employer may unilaterally amend the Agreement to conform with written directives to the Employer to comply with legislative changes or tax law, including, without limitation, Code Section 409A and any and all Treasury regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder. No amendment shall provide for or otherwise permit any acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment under the Agreement in a manner that would be prohibited under Code Section 409A. No waiver of any provision contained in this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom such waiver is asserted. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Section 3 , the Employer may elect to terminate the Agreement under any circumstances permitted by Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix). In any such event, the Employer shall distribute to the Executive the Accrual Balance in a single lump sum at the earliest date permitted under such Treasury Regulations. The amount of the benefit (but not the timing of payment) shall be determined as if the effective date of the termination of the Agreement constituted an involuntary discharge by the Employer other than for Cause on or within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control.

 

4.      ERISA Provisions .

 

(a)      Plan Administrator Duties . This Agreement shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Bank (the “ Board of Directors ”), or such committee or person(s) as the Board of Directors shall appoint. The Board of Directors, (or its delegatee(s)) in its capacity as the “administrator” of the Agreement for purposes of ERISA, shall 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 the Agreement. The decision or action of the Board of Directors (or its delegatee) with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation and application of the Agreement and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in the Agreement. The “Named Fiduciary” under the Agreement is the Bank.

 

(b)      Claims Procedures .

 

(i)      Notice of Denial .

 

(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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(2)     With respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled, 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 Agreement (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 Agreement (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.

 

(ii)      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 being Permanently Disabled, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall set forth:

 

(1)     the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

 

(2)     specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based;

 

(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;

 

(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;

 

(5)     in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled:

 

(A)      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 Agreement 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 Agreement 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 Agreement made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(B)     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;

 

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

 

(D)     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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(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 being Permanently Disabled), which shall include:

 

(A)     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

 

(B)     in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled:

 

i.     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 Agreement or other person making the benefit determination (or at the direction of the Agreement 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

 

ii.     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.

 

(iv)      Application for Review .

 

(1)     If a claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement, other than a claim described in paragraph (2) of this Section 4 (b)(iv) , he must submit the written application to the Claims Administrator within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

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

 

(v)      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.

 

(vi)      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.

 

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

 

(viii)      Decision on Review . No later than sixty (60) days (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled) 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 being Permanently Disabled) 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 being Permanently Disabled) 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 being Permanently Disabled, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall include:

 

(1)     the specific reason or reasons for the adverse benefit determination;

 

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

 

(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;

 

(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;

 

(5)     a statement regarding the availability of other voluntary alternative dispute resolution options;

 

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(6)     in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled:

 

(A)     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;

 

(B)     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 Agreement 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 Agreement 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 Agreement made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(C)     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

 

(D)     the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Agreement 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.

 

(ix)      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.

 

(x)      Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Notices . With respect to any notices required to be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, the Agreement 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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(xi)      Adjudication of Disability Benefit Claims: Independence and Impartiality . All claims and appeals with respect to benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled 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.

 

(xii)      Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Available under the Agreement .

 

(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.

 

(2)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled, 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 Agreement demonstrates that the violation was for good cause or due to matters beyond the control of the Agreement and that the violation occurred in the context of an ongoing, good faith exchange of information between the Agreement and the claimant. A violation shall not be de minimis if it is part of a pattern or practice of violations by the Agreement. The claimant may request a written explanation of the violation from the Agreement, and the Agreement 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 Agreement met the standards for the de minimis exception the claim shall be considered as refiled on appeal upon the Agreement’s receipt of the court’s decision. Within a reasonable time after the receipt of the decision, the Agreement shall provide the claimant with notice of the resubmission.

 

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

 

(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 being Permanently Disabled, 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.

 

(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 being Permanently Disabled made pursuant to this Subsection (b).

 

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(3)     “ Claims Administrator ” means the Board of Directors or such other person designated by the Board of Directors from time to time and named by notice to Executive.

 

(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 being Permanently Disabled, 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.

 

(xiv)      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).

 

5.      Funding by Employer .

 

(a)     The benefit obligations of the Employer set forth herein constitute an unfunded retirement arrangement, the obligations under which shall be reflected on the general ledger of the Employer (the “ Retirement Liability ”). The general corporate funds of the Employer shall be the sole source of payment of the Retirement Liability. The Employer shall be under no obligation to set aside, earmark or otherwise segregate any funds with which to pay the Retirement Liability. Executive and Executive’s Beneficiary or any successor in interest shall be and shall remain unsecured general creditors of the Employer with respect to the Retirement Liability. Executive and Executive’s Beneficiary shall have no interest in any property of the Employer or any other rights with respect thereto except to the extent of the contractual right to the Retirement Liability represented by the obligations described in Section 2 of this Agreement.

 

(b)     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Employer has no obligation whatsoever to set aside assets, either directly or indirectly, in a trust for purposes of paying the Retirement Liability under this Agreement. The Retirement Liability is not a deposit, is not otherwise funded by the Employer and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and does not constitute a trust account or any other special obligation of the Employer and does not have priority of payment over any other general obligations of the Employer. If the Employer determines in its sole discretion to set aside assets in a grantor trust for the purpose of paying benefits under this Agreement, the grantor trust shall not be located outside of the United States or subsequently transferred to any trust outside of the United States.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Employer, in its sole discretion, may procure corporate-owned life insurance covering the life of the Executive, with respect to which the Employer shall be the beneficiary, to pay the Employer’s obligations under this Agreement. Executive agrees to fully cooperate with the Employer to enable the Employer to procure such life insurance, including undertaking a physical to the extent needed to procure the policy. Executive and Executive’s Beneficiary, however, shall have no interest in any such policy of the Employer or any other rights with respect to such policy, the proceeds of which will be paid to the Employer. The Employer in its sole discretion will determine whether to procure any such policy and, if the Employer elects to procure such policy, the face amount of such policy.

 

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6.      Employment of Executive; Other Agreements . The benefits provided for herein for Executive are supplemental retirement benefits and shall not be deemed to modify, affect or limit any salary or salary increases, bonuses, profit sharing or any other type of compensation of Executive in any manner whatsoever. No provision contained in this Agreement shall in any way affect, restrict or limit any existing employment agreement between the Employer and Executive, nor shall any provision or condition contained in this Agreement create specific employment rights of Executive or limit the right of the Employer to discharge Executive with or without cause. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, Employer and the Executive agree that this Agreement fulfills the Employer’s obligations under Section 3(k) of the Employment Agreement.

 

7.      Withholding .

 

(a)     The Executive is responsible for payment of all taxes applicable to compensation and benefits paid or provided to the Executive under the Agreement, including federal and state income tax withholding, except the Employer shall withhold any taxes that, in its reasonable judgment, are required to be withheld, including but not limited to taxes owed under Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder, if any, and all employment taxes due to be paid by the Employer pursuant to Code Section 3121(v) and regulations promulgated thereunder ( i.e ., Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“ FICA ”) taxes on the present value of payments hereunder which are no longer subject to vesting). The Employer’s sole liability regarding taxes is to forward any amounts withheld to the appropriate taxing authority(ies). By participating in the Agreement, the Executive consents to the deduction of all tax withholdings attributable to participation in the Agreement from the benefits due under the Agreement or other payments due to the Executive by the Employer to satisfy the employee-portion of such obligations. If insufficient cash wages are available or, if the Executive so desires, the Executive may remit payment in cash for the withholding amounts.

 

(b)     Notwithstanding any other provision in the Agreement to the contrary, to the extent permitted by Code Section 409A, payments due under the Agreement may be accelerated to pay, where applicable, the FICA tax imposed under Code Sections 3101, 3121(a), and 3121(v)(2) and any state, local, and foreign tax obligations (the “ Tax Obligations ”) that may be imposed on amounts deferred pursuant to the Agreement prior to the time such amounts are paid or made available and to pay the income tax at source on wages imposed under Code Section 3401 or the corresponding withholding provisions of applicable state, local, or foreign tax laws as a result of an accelerated payment of the Tax Obligations (the “ Income Tax Obligations ”). Accelerated payments pursuant to this Section 7 (b) shall not exceed the amount of the Tax Obligations and Income Tax Obligations and shall be made as a payment directly to taxing authorities pursuant to the applicable withholding provisions. Any accelerated payments pursuant to this Section 7 (b) shall reduce the benefit otherwise payable to the Executive pursuant to the Agreement.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding any other provision in the Agreement to the contrary, the Executive shall be liable for all taxes related to payments under this Agreement, and the Employer shall not be liable to any interested party for any such taxes or if the Agreement fails to be exempt from or to comply with Code Section 409A.

 

8.      Jury Trial Waiver . EXECUTIVE AND THE EMPLOYER HEREBY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ALL DISPUTES, CONTROVERSIES AND CLAIMS BY, BETWEEN OR AGAINST EXECUTIVE OR THE EMPLOYER, WHETHER THE DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM IS SUBMITTED TO ARBITRATION OR IS DECIDED BY A COURT.

 

Executive must initial here:       SDD      

 

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9.      Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

(a)      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts. Each counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile transmission of an executed counterpart.

 

(b)      Construction . As used in this Agreement, the neuter gender shall include the masculine and the feminine, the masculine and feminine genders shall be interchangeable among themselves and each with the neuter, the singular numbers shall include the plural, and the plural the singular. The term “ person ” shall include all persons and entities of every nature whatsoever, including, but not limited to, individuals, corporations, partnerships, governmental entities and associations. The terms “including,” “included,” “such as” and terms of similar import shall not imply the exclusion of other items not specifically enumerated.

 

(c)      Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable or inconsistent with any present or future law, ruling, rule or regulation of any court, governmental or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the subject matter of this Agreement, such provision shall be rescinded or modified in accordance with such law, ruling, rule or regulation and the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such provision to the person or circumstances other than those as to which it is held inconsistent shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

 

(d)      Governing Law . This Agreement is made in the State of Florida and shall be governed in all respects and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflicts of law principles, except to the extent superseded by the Federal laws of the United States.

 

(e)      Binding Effect . This Agreement is binding upon the parties, their respective successors, assigns, heirs and legal representatives. Without limiting the foregoing this Agreement shall be binding upon any successor of the Employer whether by merger or acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or liabilities of the Employer. This Agreement may not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of each other party hereto.

 

(f)      No Trust . Nothing contained in this Agreement and no action taken pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Employer and Executive, Executive’s Beneficiary or any other person.

 

(g)      Assignment of Rights and Benefits . No right or benefit provided in this Agreement will be transferable by Executive except, upon his death, to a named Beneficiary as provided in this Agreement. No right or benefit provided for in the Agreement will be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, assign, pledge, encumber, or charge the same will be void. No right or benefit provided for in the Agreement will in any manner be liable for or subject to any debts, contracts, liabilities or torts of the person entitled to such benefits; provided, however, that the undistributed portion of any benefit payable hereunder shall at all times be subject to set-off for debts owed by Executive to the Employer.

 

(h)      Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and all prior or contemporaneous negotiations, agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, are hereby superseded, merged and integrated into this Agreement.

 

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(i)      Notices . All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and, if mailed by prepaid first-class mail or certified mail, return receipt requested, shall be deemed to have been received on the earlier of the date shown on the receipt or three (3) business days after the postmarked date thereof. In addition, notices hereunder may be delivered by hand, facsimile transmission or overnight courier, in which event the notice shall be deemed effective when delivered or transmitted. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be given to the parties hereto, at the following addresses:

 

Employer:

 

Prime Meridian Holding Company

1897 Capital Circle NE, Second Floor

Tallahassee, Florida

Attention: Jill McMillan

 

Executive: Address on file with Bank

 

(j)      Non-waiver . No delay or failure by either party to exercise any right under this Agreement, and no partial or single exercise of that right, shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right.

 

(k)      Headings . Headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used to interpret or construe its provisions.

 

(l)      Accelerated Payouts in the Event of 409A Violations . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement to the contrary, the Employer shall make payments hereunder before such payments are otherwise due if it determines that the provisions of the Agreement fail to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; provided, however, that such payment(s) may not exceed the amount required to be included in income as a result of such failure to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and, to the extent permissible therein, any taxes, penalties, interest and costs attributable thereto.

 

10.      Definitions . Where the following words and phrases appear in the Agreement, they shall have the respective meanings set forth below, unless their context clearly indicates to the contrary:

 

(a)     “ Account ” means the bookkeeping account established by the Bank under this Agreement for the benefit of Executive and to which the Bank shall record the amount of each contribution.

 

(b)     “ Account Balance ” means, as of any date, the aggregate amount credited to the Executive’s Account under this Agreement. The Bank, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine what, if any, amounts shall be credited to Executive’s Account in any particular calendar year, provided, however, that the Bank must credit to the Executive’s Account, no later than the Executive’s Normal Retirement Age, that amount which would result in an Account Balance at the time of Executive’s Normal Retirement Age which would be sufficient to pay the Executive at least $150,000 of annual retirement benefits for fifteen (15) years commencing upon the Executive’s Normal Retirement Date.

 

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(c)     “ Beneficiary ” shall mean the person(s) designated by the Executive to receive any death benefits described under Section 2 (e ) of the Agreement. The Executive shall designate his Beneficiary in writing to the Employer pursuant to procedures as may be established from time to time; provided, however, if no such designation has been made or if the Beneficiary predeceases Executive, the Beneficiary of Executive under this Agreement shall be Executive’s legally-married spouse, if any, or, if there is no legally-married surviving spouse, the Beneficiary shall be Executive’s estate.

 

(d)     “ Cause ” shall have the same meaning given to the same or similar term in any employment agreement between the parties as may be in effect from time to time; provided, however, if there is no such term or similar term in the employment agreement or if there is no such employment agreement, then the term shall mean (i) intentional misconduct or gross malfeasance, or an act or acts of gross negligence in the course of employment or any material breach of the Executive’s obligations contained herein, including, without limitation, acts competitive with or deliberately harmful to the business of the Employer; (ii) any intentional misstatement or omission to the directors or executive officers of the Employer with respect to any matter; (iii) the intentional failure of the Executive to follow the reasonable instructions and policies of the Employer; (iv) the Executive’s conviction, admission or confession of any felony or an unlawful act involving active and willful fraud or moral turpitude; or (v) the violation by the Executive of applicable state and federal banking regulations, rules, or statutes.

 

(e)     “ Change in Control ” shall mean (i) any transaction, whether by merger, consolidation, asset sale, recapitalization, reorganization, combination, stock purchase, tender offer, reverse stock split, or otherwise, which results in the acquisition of, or beneficial ownership (as such term is defined under rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) by any entity, person or any group thereof acting in concert, of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Holding Company; or (ii) the sale of 50% or more of the collective assets of the Holding Company. For purposes of this Section 10(f) , persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Holding Company. Change in Control shall be construed consistent with its meaning under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(f)     “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(g)     “ Continuous Service ” shall mean continuous full-time employment by the Executive with the Employer or any affiliates as a common law employee.

 

(h)     “ ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,

 

(i)     “ Normal Retirement Age ” means the attainment of age sixty-five (65) by the Executive.

 

(j)      “ Permanently Disabled ” shall mean 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 that results in Executive (i) being unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity; or (ii) receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under the Employer’s long-term disability plan covering Executive. The determination of whether Executive is Permanently Disabled shall be made by the Employer and shall be construed consistent with its meaning under Section 409A of the Code.

 

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(k)     “ Separation from Service ” shall mean a termination of the Executive’s employment where either (i) the Executive has ceased to perform any services for the Employer and all affiliated companies that, together with the Employer, constitute the “service recipient” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder (collectively, the “ Service Recipient ”) or (ii) the level of bona fide services the Executive performs for the Service Recipient after a given date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) permanently decreases (excluding either a decrease as a result of military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six (6) months, or if longer, so long as the Executive retains a right to reemployment with the Service Recipient under an applicable statute or by contract or any other decrease permitted under Code Section 409A) to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed for the Service Recipient (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding 36-month period (or the full period of service if the Executive has been providing services to the Service Recipient for less than 36 months), consistent with a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A. All references to termination or discharge of employment shall be deemed to refer to a “separation from service.”

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Weidner

 

 

 

 

 

  Name: Richard A. Weidner  
       
  Title: Chairman of the Board  
       
       
       
  PRIME MERIDIAN BANK :  
     
     

 

  By:

/s/ Richard A. Weidner

 

         
  Name: Richard A. Weidner  
       
  Title: Chairman of the Board  
       
     
     
  EXECUTIVE :  
     
  /s/ Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.  
  Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.  

 

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DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY FORM
UNDER
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

Pursuant to Section 10 ( d ) of the DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”), I, SAMMIE D. DIXON, JR., hereby designate the beneficiary(ies) listed below to receive any benefits under the Agreement that may be due following my death. This designation shall replace and revoke any prior designation of beneficiary(ies) made by me under the Agreement.

 

Full Name(s), Address(es) and Social Security Number(s) of Primary Beneficiary(ies) *:

 

 


 


 


 

*If more than one beneficiary is named above, the beneficiaries will share equally in any benefits, unless you have otherwise provided above. Further, if you have named more than one beneficiary and one or more of the beneficiaries is deceased at the time of your death, any remaining beneficiary(ies) will share equally, unless you have provided otherwise above. If no primary beneficiary survives you, then the contingent beneficiary designated below will receive any benefits due upon your death. In the event you have no designated beneficiary upon your death, any benefits due will be paid to your legally-married spouse, if any, or, if there is no legally-married surviving spouse, to your estate. In the event that you are naming a beneficiary that is not a person, please provide pertinent information regarding the designation.

 

Full Name, Address and Social Security Number of Contingent Beneficiary :

 

 


 


 


 

 

Date      
      Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.

 

16

Exhibit 10.3

 

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

This DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into this 19 th day of November, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and among PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY , a Florida corporation (the “ Holding Company ”), PRIME MERIDIAN BANK , a Florida bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Holding Company (the “ Bank ” and collectively with the Holding Company, the “ Employer ”), and CHRIS L. JENSEN, JR . (the “ Executive ”). Capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 10 of this Agreement.

 

BACKGROUND

 

In connection with the Bank’s employment of the Executive pursuant to the Employment Agreement dated the 19 th day of November, 2018, by and among the Employer and the Executive (the “ Employment Agreement ”), and to incentivize the Executive to devote his full business time, attention, and energies to the business of the Employer, the Employer has agreed to provide the Executive with the compensation and benefits set forth in the Executive’s Employment Agreement.

 

Section 3( j ) of the Employment Agreement provides that the Bank shall establish a nonqualified account balance deferred compensation plan for the benefit of Executive, consistent with the terms set forth therein.

 

The Employer and the Executive now desire to enter into this Agreement to establish the terms and conditions of the nonqualified account balance deferred compensation plan to be maintained by the Employer on the Executive’s behalf pursuant to Section 3(j) of the Employment Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.      General Terms and Conditions . The Bank hereby establishes a nonqualified account balance deferred compensation plan for the benefit of the Executive, in accordance with the terms of Section 3( j ) of the Employment Agreement. Section 2 below describes the benefits available to the Executive, or the Executive’s Beneficiary, upon the occurrence of certain events as described in, and subject to the terms and conditions of, this Agreement; provided the Executive remains in the Continuous Service of the Employer from the Effective Date until the specified event. Each benefit described in Section 2 is in lieu of any other benefit therein. No benefits under this Agreement shall be payable with respect to any event other than the events described below, and the benefits otherwise payable pursuant to Section 2 below are subject to the further limitations in Section 2(g) .

 

2.      Retirement Benefits .

 

(a)      Termination on or after Normal Retirement Age . If Executive remains in the Continuous Service of the Employer until on or after attaining Normal Retirement Age, then following the date on which the Executive experiences a Separation from Service on or after Normal Retirement Age (the “ Normal Retirement Date ”) for any reason other than (i) discharge of the Executive by the Employer for Cause, (ii) because the Executive dies or becomes Permanently Disabled or (iii) on or within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control, the Bank shall pay to the Executive an annual benefit for ten (10) years equal to the Executive’s Account Balance at Executive’s Normal Retirement Age divided by ten (10) (rounded down to the nearest whole dollar) (without interest). Payment of the annual benefit shall commence upon the Executive’s Normal Retirement Date, beginning with the month immediately following the Executive’s Normal Retirement Date, and be paid in equal monthly installments (without interest) on the first day of each month thereafter until paid in full.

 

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(b)      Termination Prior to Normal Retirement Age . If prior to the Executive attaining Normal Retirement Age, (i) the Employer involuntarily discharges Executive for any reason other than (A) for Cause, (B) because the Executive becomes Permanently Disabled or (C) on or within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control or (ii) the Executive resigns other than (A) because the Executive becomes Permanently Disabled or (B) on or within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control, then the Bank shall pay to the Executive in a single lump sum on or within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s Separation from Service an amount equal to the Executive’s Account Balance at the time of Executive’s Separation from Service.

 

(c)      Termination in Connection with a Change in Control . If before, on or after Normal Retirement Age, (i) the Employer on or within the twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control involuntarily discharges Executive other than (A) for Cause or (B) because the Executive becomes Permanently Disabled or (ii) the Executive on or within twelve (12) months following the effective date of a Change in Control resigns other than because the Executive becomes Permanently Disabled, then the Bank shall pay to the Executive in a single lump sum on or within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s Separation from Service an amount equal to the Executive’s Account Balance at the time of Executive’s Separation from Service.

 

(d)      Disability . If Executive becomes Permanently Disabled before any event described in Subsections (a), (b) or (c) above, the Employer shall pay to the Executive in a single lump sum on or within thirty (30) days following the date on which the Executive becomes Permanently Disabled an amount equal to the Executive’s Account Balance at the time Executive becomes Permanently Disabled.

 

(e)      Death . If Executive dies while in the employ of the Employer and before the occurrence of any event triggering the Executive’s entitlement to a benefit under Subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) above, then the Bank shall pay to the Executive’s Beneficiary in a single lump sum on or within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s death an amount equal to the Executive’s Account Balance at the time of Executive’s death. If Executive dies after the occurrence of any event triggering the Executive’s entitlement to a benefit under Subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) above and prior to payment of Executive’s entire Account Balance, the Executive’s Beneficiary shall receive in a single lump sum on or within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s death an amount equal to the Executive’s remaining Account Balance at the time of Executive’s death.

 

(f)      Forfeiture of Benefits; Regulatory Limitations . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if (i) the Employer discharges the Executive for Cause, or grounds exist for the Employer to discharge the Executive for Cause, regardless of whether an event triggering an entitlement to a benefit under Subsection (a) through (e) has occurred, no benefits shall be paid under this Agreement and any previously paid amounts shall be repaid to Employer by Executive upon five (5) days’ notice. The obligations of the Employer under this Agreement are further subject to its adherence to applicable state and federal banking regulations, rules, or statutes.

 

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(g)      Temporary Suspension Applicable to a Specified Employee . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2 , if Executive is a “specified employee,” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, as of the date of Executive’s Separation from Service with the Employer other than by reason of death, payment of benefit amounts otherwise due shall be delayed to the extent necessary under Code Section 409A until the earlier of six (6) months after Separation from Service or the date of Executive’s death, as applicable. Any payments that are so delayed shall be paid in a single lump sum in cash in the seventh month following Executive’s Separation from Service or, within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s death, if earlier.

 

3.      Amendment; Termination . This Agreement may be amended or terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Employer and the Executive. The Employer may unilaterally amend the Agreement to conform with written directives to the Employer to comply with legislative changes or tax law, including, without limitation, Code Section 409A and any and all Treasury regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder. No amendment shall provide for or otherwise permit any acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment under the Agreement in a manner that would be prohibited under Code Section 409A. No waiver of any provision contained in this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom such waiver is asserted. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Section 3 , the Employer may elect to terminate the Agreement under any circumstances permitted by Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix). In any such event, the Employer shall distribute to the Executive the Accrual Balance in a single lump sum at the earliest date permitted under such Treasury Regulations. The amount of the benefit (but not the timing of payment) shall be determined as if the effective date of the termination of the Agreement constituted an involuntary discharge by the Employer other than for Cause on or within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control.

 

4.      ERISA Provisions .

 

(a)      Plan Administrator Duties . This Agreement shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Bank (the “ Board of Directors ”), or such committee or person(s) as the Board of Directors shall appoint. The Board of Directors, (or its delegatee(s)) in its capacity as the “administrator” of the Agreement for purposes of ERISA, shall 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 the Agreement. The decision or action of the Board of Directors (or its delegatee) with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation and application of the Agreement and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in the Agreement. The “Named Fiduciary” under the Agreement is the Bank.

 

(b)      Claims Procedures .

 

(i)      Notice of Denial .

 

(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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(2)     With respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled, 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 Agreement (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 Agreement (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.

 

(ii)      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 being Permanently Disabled, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall set forth:

 

(1)     the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

 

(2)     specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based;

 

(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;

 

(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;

 

(5)     in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled:

 

(A)      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 Agreement 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 Agreement 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 Agreement made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(B)     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;

 

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

 

(D)     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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(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 being Permanently Disabled), which shall include:

 

(A)     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

 

(B)     in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled:

 

i.     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 Agreement or other person making the benefit determination (or at the direction of the Agreement 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

 

ii.     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.

 

(iv)      Application for Review .

 

(1)     If a claimant wishes a review of the decision denying his claim to benefits under this Agreement, other than a claim described in paragraph (2) of this Section 4(b)(iv) , he must submit the written application to the Claims Administrator within sixty (60) days after receiving written notice of the denial.

 

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

 

(v)      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.

 

(vi)      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.

 

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

 

(viii)      Decision on Review . No later than sixty (60) days (forty-five (45) days with respect to a claim for benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled) 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 being Permanently Disabled) 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 being Permanently Disabled) 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 being Permanently Disabled, be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner) and shall include:

 

(1)     the specific reason or reasons for the adverse benefit determination;

 

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

 

(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;

 

(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;

 

(5)     a statement regarding the availability of other voluntary alternative dispute resolution options;

 

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(6)     in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled:

 

(A)     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;

 

(B)     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 Agreement 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 Agreement 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 Agreement made by the Social Security Administration;

 

(C)     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

 

(D)     the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Agreement 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.

 

(ix)      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.

 

(x)      Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Notices . With respect to any notices required to be provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, the Agreement 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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(xi)      Adjudication of Disability Benefit Claims: Independence and Impartiality . All claims and appeals with respect to benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled 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.

 

(xii)      Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Available under the Agreement .

 

(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.

 

(2)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a claim for benefits due to Executive being Permanently Disabled, 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 Agreement demonstrates that the violation was for good cause or due to matters beyond the control of the Agreement and that the violation occurred in the context of an ongoing, good faith exchange of information between the Agreement and the claimant. A violation shall not be de minimis if it is part of a pattern or practice of violations by the Agreement. The claimant may request a written explanation of the violation from the Agreement, and the Agreement 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 Agreement met the standards for the de minimis exception the claim shall be considered as refiled on appeal upon the Agreement’s receipt of the court’s decision. Within a reasonable time after the receipt of the decision, the Agreement shall provide the claimant with notice of the resubmission.

 

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

 

(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 being Permanently Disabled, 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.

 

(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 being Permanently Disabled made pursuant to this Subsection (b).

 

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(3)     “ Claims Administrator ” means the Board of Directors or such other person designated by the Board of Directors from time to time and named by notice to Executive.

 

(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 being Permanently Disabled, 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.

 

(xiv)      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).

 

5.      Funding by Employer .

 

(a)     The benefit obligations of the Employer set forth herein constitute an unfunded retirement arrangement, the obligations under which shall be reflected on the general ledger of the Employer (the “ Retirement Liability ”). The general corporate funds of the Employer shall be the sole source of payment of the Retirement Liability. The Employer shall be under no obligation to set aside, earmark or otherwise segregate any funds with which to pay the Retirement Liability. Executive and Executive’s Beneficiary or any successor in interest shall be and shall remain unsecured general creditors of the Employer with respect to the Retirement Liability. Executive and Executive’s Beneficiary shall have no interest in any property of the Employer or any other rights with respect thereto except to the extent of the contractual right to the Retirement Liability represented by the obligations described in Section 2 of this Agreement.

 

(b)     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Employer has no obligation whatsoever to set aside assets, either directly or indirectly, in a trust for purposes of paying the Retirement Liability under this Agreement. The Retirement Liability is not a deposit, is not otherwise funded by the Employer and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and does not constitute a trust account or any other special obligation of the Employer and does not have priority of payment over any other general obligations of the Employer. If the Employer determines in its sole discretion to set aside assets in a grantor trust for the purpose of paying benefits under this Agreement, the grantor trust shall not be located outside of the United States or subsequently transferred to any trust outside of the United States.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Employer, in its sole discretion, may procure corporate-owned life insurance covering the life of the Executive, with respect to which the Employer shall be the beneficiary, to pay the Employer’s obligations under this Agreement. Executive agrees to fully cooperate with the Employer to enable the Employer to procure such life insurance, including undertaking a physical to the extent needed to procure the policy. Executive and Executive’s Beneficiary, however, shall have no interest in any such policy of the Employer or any other rights with respect to such policy, the proceeds of which will be paid to the Employer. The Employer in its sole discretion will determine whether to procure any such policy and, if the Employer elects to procure such policy, the face amount of such policy.

 

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6.      Employment of Executive; Other Agreements . The benefits provided for herein for Executive are supplemental retirement benefits and shall not be deemed to modify, affect or limit any salary or salary increases, bonuses, profit sharing or any other type of compensation of Executive in any manner whatsoever. No provision contained in this Agreement shall in any way affect, restrict or limit any existing employment agreement between the Employer and Executive, nor shall any provision or condition contained in this Agreement create specific employment rights of Executive or limit the right of the Employer to discharge Executive with or without cause. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, Employer and the Executive agree that this Agreement fulfills the Employer’s obligations under Section 3( j ) of the Employment Agreement.

 

7.      Withholding .

 

(a)     The Executive is responsible for payment of all taxes applicable to compensation and benefits paid or provided to the Executive under the Agreement, including federal and state income tax withholding, except the Employer shall withhold any taxes that, in its reasonable judgment, are required to be withheld, including but not limited to taxes owed under Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder, if any, and all employment taxes due to be paid by the Employer pursuant to Code Section 3121(v) and regulations promulgated thereunder ( i.e ., Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“ FICA ”) taxes on the present value of payments hereunder which are no longer subject to vesting). The Employer’s sole liability regarding taxes is to forward any amounts withheld to the appropriate taxing authority(ies). By participating in the Agreement, the Executive consents to the deduction of all tax withholdings attributable to participation in the Agreement from the benefits due under the Agreement or other payments due to the Executive by the Employer to satisfy the employee-portion of such obligations. If insufficient cash wages are available or, if the Executive so desires, the Executive may remit payment in cash for the withholding amounts.

 

(b)     Notwithstanding any other provision in the Agreement to the contrary, to the extent permitted by Code Section 409A, payments due under the Agreement may be accelerated to pay, where applicable, the FICA tax imposed under Code Sections 3101, 3121(a), and 3121(v)(2) and any state, local, and foreign tax obligations (the “ Tax Obligations ”) that may be imposed on amounts deferred pursuant to the Agreement prior to the time such amounts are paid or made available and to pay the income tax at source on wages imposed under Code Section 3401 or the corresponding withholding provisions of applicable state, local, or foreign tax laws as a result of an accelerated payment of the Tax Obligations (the “ Income Tax Obligations ”). Accelerated payments pursuant to this Section 7(b) shall not exceed the amount of the Tax Obligations and Income Tax Obligations and shall be made as a payment directly to taxing authorities pursuant to the applicable withholding provisions. Any accelerated payments pursuant to this Section 7(b) shall reduce the benefit otherwise payable to the Executive pursuant to the Agreement.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding any other provision in the Agreement to the contrary, the Executive shall be liable for all taxes related to payments under this Agreement, and the Employer shall not be liable to any interested party for any such taxes or if the Agreement fails to be exempt from or to comply with Code Section 409A.

 

8.      Jury Trial Waiver . EXECUTIVE AND THE EMPLOYER HEREBY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ALL DISPUTES, CONTROVERSIES AND CLAIMS BY, BETWEEN OR AGAINST EXECUTIVE OR THE EMPLOYER, WHETHER THE DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM IS SUBMITTED TO ARBITRATION OR IS DECIDED BY A COURT.

 

Executive must initial here:       CLJ      

 

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9.      Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

(a)      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts. Each counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile transmission of an executed counterpart.

 

(b)      Construction . As used in this Agreement, the neuter gender shall include the masculine and the feminine, the masculine and feminine genders shall be interchangeable among themselves and each with the neuter, the singular numbers shall include the plural, and the plural the singular. The term “ person ” shall include all persons and entities of every nature whatsoever, including, but not limited to, individuals, corporations, partnerships, governmental entities and associations. The terms “including,” “included,” “such as” and terms of similar import shall not imply the exclusion of other items not specifically enumerated.

 

(c)      Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable or inconsistent with any present or future law, ruling, rule or regulation of any court, governmental or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the subject matter of this Agreement, such provision shall be rescinded or modified in accordance with such law, ruling, rule or regulation and the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such provision to the person or circumstances other than those as to which it is held inconsistent shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

 

(d)      Governing Law . This Agreement is made in the State of Florida and shall be governed in all respects and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflicts of law principles, except to the extent superseded by the Federal laws of the United States.

 

(e)      Binding Effect . This Agreement is binding upon the parties, their respective successors, assigns, heirs and legal representatives. Without limiting the foregoing this Agreement shall be binding upon any successor of the Employer whether by merger or acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or liabilities of the Employer. This Agreement may not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of each other party hereto.

 

(f)      No Trust . Nothing contained in this Agreement and no action taken pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Employer and Executive, Executive’s Beneficiary or any other person.

 

(g)      Assignment of Rights and Benefits . No right or benefit provided in this Agreement will be transferable by Executive except, upon his death, to a named Beneficiary as provided in this Agreement. No right or benefit provided for in the Agreement will be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, assign, pledge, encumber, or charge the same will be void. No right or benefit provided for in the Agreement will in any manner be liable for or subject to any debts, contracts, liabilities or torts of the person entitled to such benefits; provided, however, that the undistributed portion of any benefit payable hereunder shall at all times be subject to set-off for debts owed by Executive to the Employer.

 

(h)      Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and all prior or contemporaneous negotiations, agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, are hereby superseded, merged and integrated into this Agreement.

 

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(i)      Notices . All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and, if mailed by prepaid first-class mail or certified mail, return receipt requested, shall be deemed to have been received on the earlier of the date shown on the receipt or three (3) business days after the postmarked date thereof. In addition, notices hereunder may be delivered by hand, facsimile transmission or overnight courier, in which event the notice shall be deemed effective when delivered or transmitted. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be given to the parties hereto, at the following addresses:

 

Employer:

 

Prime Meridian Holding Company

1897 Capital Circle NE, Second Floor

Tallahassee, Florida

Attention: Jill McMillan

 

Executive: Address on file with Bank

 

(j)      Non-waiver . No delay or failure by either party to exercise any right under this Agreement, and no partial or single exercise of that right, shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right.

 

(k)      Headings . Headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used to interpret or construe its provisions.

 

(l)      Accelerated Payouts in the Event of 409A Violations . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement to the contrary, the Employer shall make payments hereunder before such payments are otherwise due if it determines that the provisions of the Agreement fail to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; provided, however, that such payment(s) may not exceed the amount required to be included in income as a result of such failure to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and, to the extent permissible therein, any taxes, penalties, interest and costs attributable thereto.

 

10.      Definitions . Where the following words and phrases appear in the Agreement, they shall have the respective meanings set forth below, unless their context clearly indicates to the contrary:

 

(a)     “ Account ” means the bookkeeping account established by the Bank under this Agreement for the benefit of Executive and to which the Bank shall record the amount of each contribution.

 

(b)     “ Account Balance ” means, as of any date, the aggregate amount credited to the Executive’s Account under this Agreement. The Bank, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine what, if any, amounts shall be credited to Executive’s Account in any particular calendar year, provided, however, that the Bank must credit to the Executive’s Account, no later than the Executive’s Normal Retirement Age, that amount which would result in an Account Balance at the time of Executive’s Normal Retirement Age which would be sufficient to pay the Executive at least $50,000 of annual retirement benefits for ten (10) years commencing upon the Executive’s Normal Retirement Date.

 

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(c)     “ Beneficiary ” shall mean the person(s) designated by the Executive to receive any death benefits described under Section 2(e) of the Agreement. The Executive shall designate his Beneficiary in writing to the Employer pursuant to procedures as may be established from time to time; provided, however, if no such designation has been made or if the Beneficiary predeceases Executive, the Beneficiary of Executive under this Agreement shall be Executive’s legally-married spouse, if any, or, if there is no legally-married surviving spouse, the Beneficiary shall be Executive’s estate.

 

(d)     “ Cause ” shall have the same meaning given to the same or similar term in any employment agreement between the parties as may be in effect from time to time; provided, however, if there is no such term or similar term in the employment agreement or if there is no such employment agreement, then the term shall mean (i) intentional misconduct or gross malfeasance, or an act or acts of gross negligence in the course of employment or any material breach of the Executive’s obligations contained herein, including, without limitation, acts competitive with or deliberately harmful to the business of the Employer; (ii) any intentional misstatement or omission to the directors or executive officers of the Employer with respect to any matter; (iii) the intentional failure of the Executive to follow the reasonable instructions and policies of the Employer; (iv) the Executive’s conviction, admission or confession of any felony or an unlawful act involving active and willful fraud or moral turpitude; or (v) the violation by the Executive of applicable state and federal banking regulations, rules, or statutes.

 

(e)     “ Change in Control ” shall mean (i) any transaction, whether by merger, consolidation, asset sale, recapitalization, reorganization, combination, stock purchase, tender offer, reverse stock split, or otherwise, which results in the acquisition of, or beneficial ownership (as such term is defined under rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) by any entity, person or any group thereof acting in concert, of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Holding Company; or (ii) the sale of 50% or more of the collective assets of the Holding Company. For purposes of this Section 10(f) , persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Holding Company. Change in Control shall be construed consistent with its meaning under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(f)     “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(g)     “ Continuous Service ” shall mean continuous full-time employment by the Executive with the Employer or any affiliates as a common law employee.

 

(h)     “ ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,

 

(i)     “ Normal Retirement Age ” means the attainment of age sixty-five (65) by the Executive.

 

(j)      “ Permanently Disabled ” shall mean 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 that results in Executive (i) being unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity; or (ii) receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under the Employer’s long-term disability plan covering Executive. The determination of whether Executive is Permanently Disabled shall be made by the Employer and shall be construed consistent with its meaning under Section 409A of the Code.

 

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(k)     “ Separation from Service ” shall mean a termination of the Executive’s employment where either (i) the Executive has ceased to perform any services for the Employer and all affiliated companies that, together with the Employer, constitute the “service recipient” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder (collectively, the “ Service Recipient ”) or (ii) the level of bona fide services the Executive performs for the Service Recipient after a given date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) permanently decreases (excluding either a decrease as a result of military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six (6) months, or if longer, so long as the Executive retains a right to reemployment with the Service Recipient under an applicable statute or by contract or any other decrease permitted under Code Section 409A) to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed for the Service Recipient (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding 36-month period (or the full period of service if the Executive has been providing services to the Service Recipient for less than 36 months), consistent with a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A. All references to termination or discharge of employment shall be deemed to refer to a “separation from service.”

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

  Name: Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.  
       
  Title: Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,  
  President, and Principal Executive Officer  
     
     
     
  PRIME MERIDIAN BANK :  
     
     

 

By:

/s/ Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.

 

       
  Name: Sammie. D. Dixon, Jr.  
       
  Title: Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,  
  President, and Principal Executive Officer  
     
     
     
  EXECUTIVE :  
     
  /s/ Chris L. Jensen, Jr.  
  Chris L. Jensen, Jr.  

 

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DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY FORM
UNDER
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

Pursuant to Section 10(d) of the DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”), I, Chris L. Jensen, Jr, hereby designate the beneficiary(ies) listed below to receive any benefits under the Agreement that may be due following my death. This designation shall replace and revoke any prior designation of beneficiary(ies) made by me under the Agreement.

 

Full Name(s), Address(es) and Social Security Number(s) of Primary Beneficiary(ies) *:

 

 


 


 


 

*If more than one beneficiary is named above, the beneficiaries will share equally in any benefits, unless you have otherwise provided above. Further, if you have named more than one beneficiary and one or more of the beneficiaries is deceased at the time of your death, any remaining beneficiary(ies) will share equally, unless you have provided otherwise above. If no primary beneficiary survives you, then the contingent beneficiary designated below will receive any benefits due upon your death. In the event you have no designated beneficiary upon your death, any benefits due will be paid to your legally-married spouse, if any, or, if there is no legally-married surviving spouse, to your estate. In the event that you are naming a beneficiary that is not a person, please provide pertinent information regarding the designation.

 

Full Name, Address and Social Security Number of Contingent Beneficiary :

 

 


 


 


 

 

Date      
      Chris L. Jensen, Jr.

 

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