Exhibit 10(qq)
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
DATED OCTOBER 16, 1997,
BETWEEN M&I AND XX. X.X. XXXXXX
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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THIS AGREEMENT, entered into as of the 16th day of October, 1997, by and
between XXXXXXXX & ILSLEY CORPORATION (the "Company"), and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx the
"Executive") (hereinafter collectively referred to as "the parties").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") recognizes
that the possibility of a Change of Control (as hereinafter defined in Section
2) exists and that the threat of or the occurrence of a Change of Control can
result in significant distractions of its key management personnel because of
the uncertainties inherent in such a situation; and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that it is essential and in the best
interest of the Company and its shareholders to retain the services of the
Executive in the event of a threat or occurrence of a Change of Control and to
ensure his continued dedication and efforts in such event without undue concern
for his personal financial and employment security; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Executive to remain in the employ of the
Company, particularly in the event of a threat of or the occurrence of a Change
of Control, the Company desires to enter into this Agreement with the Executive.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective agreements of the
parties contained herein, it is agreed as follows:
1. Employment Term. (a) The "Employment Term" shall commence on the
first date during the Protected Period (as defined in Section 1(c), below) on
which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2, below) occurs (the
"Effective Date") and shall expire on the second anniversary of the Effective
Date; provided, however, that at the end of each day of the Employment Term the
Employment Term shall automatically be extended for one (1) day unless either
the Company or the Executive shall have given written notice to the other at
least thirty (30) days prior thereto that the Employment Term shall not be so
extended; and provided, further, that the Employment Term shall not be
automatically extended beyond the first day of the month following the month in
which the Executive attains age sixty-five (65).
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
contrary, if the Executive's employment is terminated prior to the Effective
Date and the Executive reasonably demonstrates that such termination (i) was at
the request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps
reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control, or (ii) otherwise occurred
in connection with or in anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all
purposes of this Agreement, the Effective Date shall mean the date immediately
prior to the date of such termination of the Executive's employment.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the "Protected Period" shall be the
two (2) year period commencing on the date hereof, provided, however, that at
the end of each day the Protected Period shall be automatically extended for one
(1) day unless at least thirty (30) days prior thereto the Company shall have
given written notice to the Executive that the Protected Period shall not be so
extended; and provided, further, that notwithstanding any such notice by the
Company not to extend, the Protected Period shall not end if prior to the
expiration thereof any third party has indicated an intention or taken steps
reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control, in which event the
Protected Period shall end only after such third party publicly announces that
it has abandoned all efforts to effect a Change of Control.
2. Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change of
Control, shall mean the first to occur of the following:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or "group" (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act")) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of
Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of thirty-three percent (33%) or
more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company
(the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of
the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");
provided, however, that the following acquisitions of common stock shall not
constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company
(excluding an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege or
by one person or a group of persons acting in concert), (ii) any acquisition by
the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by
the Company or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a
reorganization, merger or consolidation which would not be a Change of Control
under subsection (c) of this Section 2; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the
"Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to
the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's
shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors
then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a
result of either an actual or threatened "election contest" or other actual or
threatened "solicitation" (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation
14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) of proxies or consents by or on behalf
of a person other than the Incumbent Board; or
(c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization,
merger or consolidation, unless, following such reorganization, merger or
consolidation, (i) more than two-thirds (2/3) of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
reorganization, merger or consolidation and the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were
the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation,
(ii) no person (excluding the Company, any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such reorganization,
merger or consolidation and any person beneficially owning, immediately prior to
such reorganization, merger or consolidation, directly or indirectly, thirty-
three percent (33%) or more of the Outstanding Company Common Stock or
Outstanding Voting Securities, as the case may be) beneficially owns, directly
or indirectly, thirty-three percent (33%) or more of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
reorganization, merger or consolidation or the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such corporation, entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the
board of directors of the corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger
or consolidation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
execution of the initial agreement providing for such reorganization, merger or
consolidation; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of (i) a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) the sale or other disposition
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a
corporation, with respect to which following such sale or other disposition, (A)
more than two-thirds (2/3) of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial
owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in
substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such
sale or other disposition, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no person
(excluding the Company and any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the
Company or such corporation and any person beneficially owning, immediately
prior to such sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, thirty-three
percent (33%) or more of the Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding
Company Voting Securities, as the case may be) beneficially
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owns, directly or indirectly, thirty-three percent (33%) or more of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation or
the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (C) at
least a majority of the members of the board of directors of such corporation
were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial
agreement or action of the Board providing for such sale or other disposition of
assets of the Company.
3. Employment. (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3, hereof,
the Company agrees to continue to employ the Executive and the Executive agrees
to remain in the employ of the Company during the Employment Term. During the
Employment Term, the Executive shall be employed as Senior Vice President of M&I
Corporation or in such other executive capacity as may be mutually agreed to in
writing by the parties. During the Employment Term, Executive's position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority,
duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material
respects with the most significant of those held or assigned at any time during
the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the Effective Date, and
Executive's services shall be performed at the location where Executive was
employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or at any office or location
less than thirty-five (35) miles from such location, unless mutually agreed to
in writing by the parties.
(b) Excluding periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive
is entitled, during the Employment Term the Executive agrees to devote full time
attention to the business and affairs of the Company to the extent necessary to
discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, provided
that the Executive may take reasonable amounts of time to (i) serve on
corporate, civil or charitable boards or committees, and (ii) deliver lectures,
fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions, if such
activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities hereunder. It is expressly understood and agreed
that to the extent any such activities have been conducted by the Executive
prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the
conduct of activities similar in nature and scope) subsequent to the Effective
Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of
Executive's responsibilities hereunder.
4. Compensation. (a) Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the
Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which
shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve (12) times the highest
monthly base salary paid or payable to the Executive by the Company and its
affiliated companies in respect of the twelve (12) month period immediately
preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment
Term, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually and shall be
increased at any time and from time to time as shall be substantially consistent
with increases in base salary generally awarded in the ordinary course of
business to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other
obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not
be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized
in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in
this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall include any company
controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.
(b) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Term, an
annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the average
annualized (for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve (12) full months
or with respect to which the Executive has been employed by the Company for less
than twelve (12) full months) bonuses paid or payable, including any amounts
which were deferred under any plans of the Company and its affiliated companies,
to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the
three (3) fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the
Effective Date occurs (the "Recent Average Bonus"). Each such Annual Bonus
shall be paid no later than seventy-five (75) days after the end of the fiscal
year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to
defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus under any plan or arrangement of the
Company allowing therefor.
(c) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment
Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings
and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no
event shall such plans,
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practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with incentive
opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special incentive
opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable),
savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less
favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the
Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans,
practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the twelve (12)
month period immediately preceding the Effective Date, or, if more favorable to
the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(d) Benefit Plans. During the Employment Term, the Executive and/or the
Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in
and shall receive all benefits under benefit plans, practices, policies and
programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including,
without limitation, medical, prescription drug, dental, disability, salary
continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident
insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families; but
in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the
Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the
most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the
Executive and his family at any time during the twelve (12) month period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive,
those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families.
(e) Expenses. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by
the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the
Executive at any time during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding
the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
(f) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be
entitled to fringe benefits (including but not limited to Company cars, club
dues and physical examinations) in accordance with the most favorable plans,
practices, programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in
effect for the Executive at any time during the twelve (12) month period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive,
as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(g) Vacation and Sick Leave. During the Employment Term, the Executive
shall be entitled to paid vacation and sick leave (without loss of pay) in
accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of
the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any
time during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the Effective
Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(h) Restrictions. As of the Effective Date, all restrictions limiting
the exercise, transferability or other incidents of ownership of any outstanding
award, including but not limited to restricted stock, options, stock
appreciation rights, or other property or rights of the Company granted to the
Executive shall lapse, and such awards shall become fully vested and be held by
the Executive free and clear of all such restrictions. This provision shall
apply to all such property or rights notwithstanding the provisions of any other
plan or agreement, unless the effect of the application of this provision to a
particular right or property would result in such right or property failing to
qualify for favorable tax treatment under the particular section of the Internal
Revenue Code for which it was designed to qualify, or would result in the loss
of favorable securities law treatment for participants under the plan pursuant
to which the award was granted.
5. Termination of Employment. During the Employment Term, the
Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated under the following
circumstances:
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(a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment Term. If the
Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has
occurred during the Employment Term (pursuant to the definition of Disability
set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with
Section 5 of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive's
employment. In such event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall
terminate effective on the thirtieth (30th) day after receipt of such notice
by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within thirty
(30) days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties
with the Company on a full-time basis for one hundred eighty (180) consecutive
business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which
is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company
or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal
representative, provided if the parties are unable to agree, the parties shall
request the Xxxx of the Medical College of Wisconsin to choose such physician.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment for
"Cause." A termination for Cause is a termination evidenced by a resolution
adopted in good faith by a majority of the Board that the Executive (i)
willfully, deliberately and continually failed to substantially perform his
duties under Section 3, above (other than a failure resulting from the
Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which failure
constitutes gross misconduct, and results in and was intended to result in
demonstrable material injury to the Company, monetary or otherwise, or (ii)
committed acts of fraud and dishonesty constituting a felony, as determined by a
final judgment or order of a court of competent jurisdiction, and resulting or
intended to result in gain to or personal enrichment of the Executive at the
Company's expense, provided, however, that no termination of the Executive's
employment shall be for Cause as set forth in (i), above, until (a) Executive
shall have had at least sixty (60) days to cure any conduct or act alleged to
provide Cause for termination after a written notice of demand has been
delivered to the Executive specifying in detail the manner in which the
Executive's conduct violates this Agreement, and (b) the Executive shall have
been provided an opportunity to be heard by the Board (with the assistance of
the Executive's counsel if the Executive so desires). No act, or failure to
act, on the Executive's part, shall be considered "willful" unless he has acted
or failed to act in bad faith and without a reasonable belief that his action
or failure to act was in the best interest of the Company. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no failure to perform by
the Executive after Notice of Termination is given by the Executive shall
constitute Cause for purposes of this Agreement.
(c) Good Reason.
(1) The Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence after a
Change of Control of any of the events or conditions described in Subsections
(i) through (vi) hereof:
(i) A change in the Executive's status, title, position or
responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which, in the
Executive's reasonable judgment, does not represent a promotion from his
status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior
thereto; the assignment to the Executive of any duties or responsibilities
which, in the Executive's reasonable judgment, are inconsistent with his
status, title, position or responsibilities in effect immediately prior
to such assignment; or any removal of the Executive from or failure to
reappoint or reelect him to any position, except in connection with the
termination of his employment for Disability, Cause, as a result of his
death or by the Executive other than for Good Reason;
(ii) Any failure by the Company to comply with any of the
provisions of Section 4 of this Agreement.
(iii) The insolvency or the filing (by any party, including the
Company) of a petition for bankruptcy of the Company;
(iv) Any material breach by the Company of any provision of this
Agreement;
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(v) Any purported termination of the Executive's employment for
Cause by the Company which does not comply with the terms of Section 5 of
this Agreement; and
(vi) The failure of the Company to obtain an agreement,
satisfactory to the Executive, from any successor or assign of the Company,
to assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as contemplated in Section 10
hereof.
(2) Any event or condition described in Section 5(c) (1) which occurs
prior to the Effective Date but which the Executive reasonably demonstrates (i)
was at the request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken
steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control, or (ii) otherwise
arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change of Control, shall
constitute Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding that it
occurred prior to the Effective Date.
(3) The Executive's right to terminate his employment pursuant to
this Section 5(c) shall not be affected by his incapacity due to physical or
mental illness. The Executive's continued employment or failure to give Notice
of Termination shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with
respect to, any circumstances constituting Good Reason hereunder.
(4) For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination
of Good Reason made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
(d) Voluntary Termination. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his
employment hereunder at any time.
(e) Notice of Termination. Any purported termination by the Company or
by the Executive (other than by death of the Executive) shall be communicated by
Notice of Termination to the other. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice
of Termination" shall mean a written notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent
applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed
to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under
theprovision so indicated, and (iii) the Termination Date. For purposes of this
Agreement, no such purported termination of employment shall be effective
without such Notice of Termination.
(f) Termination Date, Etc. "Termination Date" shall mean in the case of
the Executive's death, his date of death, or in all other cases, the date
specified in the Notice of Termination subject to the following:
(1) If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company, the
date specified in the Notice of Termination shall be at least thirty (30) days
after the date the Notice of Termination is given to the Executive, provided,
however, that in the case of Disability, the Executive shall not have returned
to the full-time performance of his duties during such period of at least thirty
(30) days;
(2) If the Executive's employment is terminated for Good Reason, the
date specified in the Notice of Termination shall not be more than sixty (60)
days after the date the Notice of Termination is given to the Company; and
(3) In the event that within thirty (30) days following the date of
receipt of the Notice of Termination, one party notifies the other that a
dispute exists concerning the basis for termination, the Executive's employment
hereunder shall not be terminated except after the dispute is finally resolved
and a Termination Date is determined either by a mutual written agreement of the
parties, or by a binding and final judgment order or decree of a court of
competent jurisdiction (the time for appeal therefrom having expired and no
appeal having been perfected).
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6. Obligations of the Company Upon Termination.
(a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, during the
Employment Term, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other
than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for
Good Reason:
(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within five (5) days after the Termination Date the aggregate of the following
amounts:
A. The sum of:
(1) The Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Termination
Date to the extent not theretofore paid.
(2) The product of (x) the higher of (I) the Recent Average
Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or payable, including any amount
deferred, (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than
twelve (12) full months or for which the Executive has been employed for
less than twelve (12) full months) for the most recently completed
fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any (such higher amount
being referred to as the "Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days completed in the current fiscal
year through the Termination Date, and the denominator of which is 365;
and
(3) Any compensation previously deferred by the Executive
(together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued
vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid.
The sum of the amounts described in Clauses (1), (2) and (3) shall
be hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued Obligations."
B. The amount equal to the product of (1) two and (2) the sum of
(x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary (increased for this purpose by any
Section 401(k) deferrals, cafeteria plan elections, or other deferrals that
would have increased Executive's Annual Base Salary if paid in cash to
Executive when earned) and (y) the Executive's Highest Annual Bonus;
C. A separate lump-sum supplemental retirement benefit equal to the
difference between (1) the actuarial equivalent (utilizing for this purpose
the most favorable to the Executive actuarial assumptions and Company
contribution history with respect to the applicable retirement plan,
incentive plans, savings plans and other plans described in Section 4(c) (or
any successor plan thereto) (the "Retirement Plans") during the twelve (12)
month period immediately preceding the Effective Date) of the benefit
payable under the Retirement Plans and any supplemental and/or excess
retirement plan providing benefits for the Executive (the "SERP") which the
Executive would receive if the Executive's employment continued for an
additional two (2) years after the Termination Date with annual compensation
equal to the sum of the Annual Base Salary and Highest Annual Bonus,
assuming for this purpose that all accrued benefits and contributions are
fully vested and that benefit accrual formulas and Company contributions are
no less advantageous to the Executive than those in effect during the twelve
(12) month period immediately preceding the Effective Date, and (2) the
actuarial equivalent (utilizing for this purpose the actuarial assumptions
utilized with respect to the Retirement Plans during the twelve (12) month
period immediately preceding the Effective Date) of the Executive's actual
benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the Retirement Plans and the SERP.
For example, if there were a termination today this supplemental retirement
benefit would be interpreted with respect to two plans in existence today as
follows: (i) with respect to the Retirement Growth Plan of the Company, the
Executive would receive no less than two times eight percent (8%) of the
maximum compensation that can be taken into account under the Plan assuming
Executive's compensation is as set forth above, and (ii) with respect to the
Incentive Savings Plan of the Company, the Executive would receive no less
than two times an annual Company match of fifty percent (50%) of
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Employee's maximum allowable contribution to the Plan assuming Executive's
compensation is as set forth above; D. The amount equal to the product of
(i) two and (ii) the sum of (x) the imputed income reflected on Executive's
W-2 attributable to the car provided to Executive by the Company or its
affiliates for the last calendar year ending before the Effective Date and
(y) the club dues for Executive paid by the Company or its affiliates
attributable to such year.
(ii) For twenty-four (24) months after the Termination Date, or such
longer period as any plan, program, practice or policy may provide, the Company
shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least
equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the
plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(d) of this
Agreement if the Executive's employment had not been terminated in accordance
with the most favorable plans, practices, programs or policies of the Company
and its affiliated companies applicable generally to other peer executives and
their families during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at
any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families; provided, however, that if the
Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive
medical or other benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and
other benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such
other plan during such applicable period of eligibility, provided that the
aggregate coverage of the combined benefit plans is no less favorable to the
Executive, in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him, than the
coverage required hereunder. For purposes of determining eligibility of the
Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and
policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until the
end of such twenty-four (24) month period and to have retired on the last day of
such period.
(iii) The Executive shall have the right to purchase the car provided
to him by the Company or its affiliates during the twelve (12) month period
immediately preceding the Effective Date (or a comparable car acceptable to the
Executive if such car is no longer owned by the Company or its affiliates), at
the book value thereof on the Termination Date, exercisable within thirty (30)
days after the Termination Date; and if the car is not purchased, Executive
shall return the car to the Company.
(iv) To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company
shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits
required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive
pursuant to this Agreement under any plan, program, policy or practice or
contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other
amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").
(b) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive's death during the Employment Term, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this
Agreement, except that the Company shall pay or provide the Accrued Obligations,
six (6) months of Annual Base Salary, and the Other Benefits. The Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Termination
Date. The six (6) months of Annual Base Salary shall be paid during the six (6)
month period following the Termination Date on a monthly basis. With respect to
the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this
Section 6(b) shall include, and the Executive's family shall be entitled to
receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the
Company and any of its affiliated companies to surviving families of peer
executives of the Company and such affiliated companies under such plans,
programs, practices and policies relating to family death benefits, if any, as
in effect with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time
during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect
on the date of the Executive's death with respect to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies and their families.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's Disability during the Employment Term, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, except that the Company
shall pay or provide the Accrued Obligations and the Other Benefits. The
Accrued Obligations
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shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of
the Termination Date. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term
Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall include, and the Executive
shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and
other benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided
by the Company and its affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their
families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies
relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other
peer executives and their families at any time during the twelve (12) month
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any time thereafter
generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families.
(d) Cause; Other Than for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment shall
be terminated for Cause during the Employment Term, or if the Executive
voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment Term for other than Good
Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive Annual Base Salary
through the Date of Termination, any other amounts earned or accrued through the
Termination Date, and the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid; provided that if
Executive voluntarily terminates Executive shall receive the benefits normally
provided upon normal or early retirement with respect to other peer Executives
and their families to the extent he qualifies therefore. All salary or
compensation hereunder shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination.
(e) If any of the payments referred to in this Section 6 are not paid within
the time specified after the Termination Date (hereinafter a "Delinquent
Payment"), in addition to such principal sum, the Company will pay to the
Executive interest on all such Delinquent Payments computed at the prime rate as
announced from time to time by M&I Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx Bank, or its successor,
compounded monthly.
7. No Mitigation. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek
other employment to take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such
amounts shall not be reduced (except to the extent set forth in Section
6(a)(ii)) whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.
8. Unauthorized Disclosure. The Executive shall not make any Unauthorized
Disclosure. For purposes of this Agreement, "Unauthorized Disclosure" shall
mean disclosure by the Executive without the consent of the Board to any person,
other than an employee of the Company or a person to whom disclosure is
reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance by the
Executive of his duties as an executive of the Company or as may be legally
required, of any confidential information obtained by the Executive while in the
employ of the Company (including, but not limited to, any confidential
information with respect to any of the Company's customers or methods of
operation) the disclosure of which he knows or has reason to believe will be
materially injurious to the Company; provided, however, that such term shall not
include the use or disclosure by the Executive, without consent, of any
information known generally to the public (other than as a result of disclosure
by him in violation of this Section 8) or any information not otherwise
considered confidential by a reasonable person engaged in the same business as
that conducted by the Company. In no event shall an asserted violation of this
Section 8 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise
payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
9. Successors and Assigns.
(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
the Company, its successors and assigns and the company shall require any
successor or assign (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to expressly assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be
required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place. The
term "Company" as used herein shall include such successors and assigns. The
term "successors and assigns" as used herein shall mean a corporation or other
entity acquiring all or substantially all the assets and business of the Company
(including this Agreement) whether by operation of law or otherwise.
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(b) Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder shall be
assignable or transferable by the Executive, his beneficiaries or legal
representatives, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Executive's legal representative.
10. Fees and Expenses. From and after the Effective Date, the Company
shall pay all legal fees and related expenses (including the costs of experts,
evidence and counsel) reasonably incurred by the Executive as they become due as
a result of (i) the Executive's termination of employment (including all such
fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting or disputing any such
termination of employment), (ii) the Executive's hearing before the Board as
contemplated in Section 5(b) of this Agreement or (iii) the Executive's seeking
to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement or by any
other plan or arrangement maintained by the Company under which the Executive is
or may be entitled to receive benefits.
11. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in the Agreement (including the Notice of
Termination) shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
when personally delivered or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, if to the Company, to Xxxxxxxx & Ilsley Corporation, 000 Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000, or if to Executive, to the address
set forth below Executive's signature, or to such other address as the party may
be notified, provided that all notices to the Company shall be directed to the
attention of the Board with a copy to the Secretary of the Company. All notices
and communications shall be deemed to have been received on the date of delivery
thereof or on the third business day after the mailing thereof, except that
notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
12. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or
limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any benefit, bonus,
incentive or other plan or program provided by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries for which the Executive may qualify. Amounts which are vested
benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan
or program of the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall be payable in
accordance with such plan or program, except as explicitly modified by this
Agreement.
13. Settlement of Claims. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which
the Company may have against the Executive or others.
14. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived
or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in
writing and signed by the Executive and the Company. No waiver by either party
hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance
with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other
party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions
at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreement or
representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the
subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not expressly set
forth in this Agreement.
15. Employment. The Executive and the Company acknowledge that the
employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will" and prior to the
Effective Date, may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any
time. Moreover, if prior to the Effective Date, the Executive's employment with
the Company terminates then the Executive shall have no further rights under
this Agreement.
16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin without giving
effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.
17. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed
severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.
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18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements, if any,
understandings and arrangements, oral or written, between the parties hereto
with respect to the subject matter hereof.
19. Headings. The headings herein contained are for reference only and
shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this
Agreement.
20. Modification. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived
or discharged unless such modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in
writing signed by both the Executive and the Company.
21. Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from amounts
paid to the Executive hereunder any federal, estate or local withholding or
other taxes or charges which it is, from time to time, required to withhold.
The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of counsel if any question
as to the amount or requirement of any such withholding shall arise.
22. Limitation on Payments.
(a) Within fifteen (15) business days of the Termination Date, an
independent national accounting firm designated by the Company (the "Accounting
Firm") shall compute whether there would be any "excess parachute payments"
payable to the Executive, within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), taking into account the total
"parachute payments," within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, payable to
the Executive by the Company or any successor thereto under this Agreement and
any other plan, agreement or otherwise. If there would be any excess parachute
payments, the Accounting Firm will compute the net after-tax proceeds to the
Executive, taking into account the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Code, if (i) the payments hereunder were reduced, but not below zero, such that
the total parachute payments payable to the Executive would not exceed 299% of
the "base amount" as defined in Section 280G of the Code, or (ii) the payments
hereunder were not reduced. If reducing the payments hereunder would result in
a greater after-tax amount to the Executive, such lesser amount shall be paid to
the Executive. If not reducing the payments hereunder would result in a greater
after-tax amount to the Executive, such payments shall not be reduced. The
determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the
Executive subject to the application of Section 22(b) hereof.
(b) As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Sections 280G of
the Code, it is possible that excess parachute payments will be paid when such
payment would result in a lesser after-tax amount to the Executive; this is not
the intent hereof. In such cases, the payment of any excess parachute payments
will be void ab initio as regards any such excess. Any excess will be treated
as a loan by the Company to the Executive. The Executive will return the excess
to the Company, within fifteen (15) business days of any determination by the
Accounting Firm that excess parachute payments have been paid when not so
intended, with interest at an annual rate equal to the rate provided in Section
1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code (or 120% of such rate if the Accounting Firm
determines that such rate is necessary to avoid an excise tax under Section 4999
of the Code) from the date the Executive received the excess until it is repaid
to the Company.
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(c) All fees, costs and expenses (including, but not limited to, the cost
of retaining experts) of the Accounting Firm shall be borne by the Company and
the Company shall pay such fees, costs and expenses as they become due. In
performing the computations required hereunder, the Accounting Firm shall assume
that taxes will be paid for state and federal purposes at the highest possible
marginal tax rates which could be applicable to the Executive in the year of
receipt of the payments, unless the Executive agrees otherwise.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed
by its duly authorized officer and the Executive has executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.
XXXXXXXX & XXXXXX CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
---------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Secretary
EXECUTIVE:
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Address: 0000 Xxxxxx Xx.
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
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