Transaction Bonus In addition, in the event of a transaction involving a Change in Control, in a transaction approved by the Company's Board of Directors, which transaction results in the receipt by the Company's stockholders of consideration with a value representing, in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors, a significant premium over the average of the closing prices per share of the Company's common stock as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market for 20 trading days ending one day prior to the public announcement of such transaction (a "Change in Control Transaction"), Executive shall be paid a Transaction Bonus at the closing of such a transaction in the amount equal to three (3) times 50% of Executive's Base Salary in effect immediately preceding the closing of such a transaction. Executive shall also be paid said Transaction Bonus if the Company enters into a transaction approved by the Board of Directors which is not a Change in Control Transaction, but which, nonetheless, involves a significant change in the ownership of the Company or the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company, or which results in receipt of a premium for the Company's stockholders (a "Significant Event"). In the event Executive receives a Transaction Bonus, no Achievement Bonus will be paid to Executive in the year in which such Transaction Bonus is paid. If the Company enters into a transaction which is a Change in Control Transaction, then all of the Executive's stock options granted prior to July 27, 1999 shall become exercisable in full and all of the shares of the common stock of the Company awarded to Executive under the Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1993 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan prior to July 27, 1999 shall become fully vested. If the Company enters into a transaction which is not a Change in Control Transaction but which is a Significant Event, then the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that all, or a portion, of the Executive's stock options granted prior to July 27, 1999 shall become exercisable in full and all, or a portion, of the shares of the common stock of the Company awarded to Executive under the Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1993 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan prior to July 27, 1999 shall become fully vested.
Retention Bonus You will be eligible for a lump sum cash payment on the first anniversary of the Acquisition Date provided that you are employed by the Company as of such date in an amount equal to the sum of (i) 100% of your annual base salary in effect as of the Acquisition Date, plus (ii) 100% of the annual bonus paid to you for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2008 (such sum, the “First Year Retention Bonus”). You will be eligible for a lump sum cash payment on the second anniversary of the Acquisition Date provided that you are employed by the Company as of such date in an amount equal to the sum of (i) 100% of your annual base salary in effect as of the Acquisition Date, plus (ii) 100% of the annual bonus paid to you for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2008 (such sum, the “Second Year Retention Bonus”). Except as set forth below, you will not be eligible for the retention bonuses as set forth above if your employment terminates prior to such applicable anniversary. In the event of your Voluntary Termination for Good Reason (as defined below), the termination of your employment by the Company other than for Justifiable Cause, or in the event of your death or “permanent disability” as defined in the Company’s long-term disability policy (i) during the first twelve month period following the Acquisition Date, you will be eligible for a pro rata portion of the First Year Retention Bonus, counting full months of employment with the Company from the Acquisition Date through such termination, and (ii) during the second twelve month period following the Acquisition Date, you will be eligible for a pro rata portion of the Second Year Retention Bonus, counting full months of employment with the Company from the first anniversary of the Acquisition Date through such termination. Any prorated payment pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be made within 10 business days of such termination. If the annual bonus payment for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2008 has not been paid to you or otherwise determined by the Company as of the date the prorated payment is due, the prorated payment shall be calculated using your target bonus amount for 2008. Payments under this Section 8 shall be net of any applicable withholding taxes. For purposes of this Section 8, “Voluntary Termination for Good Reason” shall have the same meaning as given to such term under the Key Employee Change in Control Severance Plan as in effect immediately prior to the Acquisition Date, but with respect to the First Year Retention Bonus only, determined without regard to clause (ii) thereof.”
Severance Payment Executive will be paid continuing payments of severance pay at a rate equal to Executive’s base salary rate, as then in effect, for twelve (12) months from the date of such termination of employment, to be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll policies.
Separation Payment Except with respect to the Accrued Benefits as defined in the Employment Agreement, if you sign this Agreement, agreeing to be bound by the General Release in Paragraph 3 below and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement described below, and comply with the requirements of this Paragraph 2 (other than the Accrued Benefits), you will receive the compensation and benefits as contemplated by the Employment Agreement. You will not be eligible for the payment and benefits described in this Paragraph 2 unless: (i) you sign this Agreement no later than twenty-one (21) days after you receive it, promptly return the Agreement to the Company after you sign it, and do not timely revoke it; and (ii) you have returned all Company property and documents in accordance with Paragraph 15 below.
Retention Bonuses Provided Executive becomes and remains an active employee of Mercantile, Mercantile will pay Executive retention bonuses in accordance with the following schedule:
Severance Benefit If the Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause (as defined below) or if the Employee terminates his/her employment for Good Reason (as defined below), the Company shall provide Employee with the following:
Change in Control Severance Benefits If there is a Change in Control, and within one (1) year of such Change in Control, the Executive’s employment is terminated under the circumstances described in Sections 4(a) through 4(f) above, the Executive shall be entitled to the following: (I) if such termination is a termination by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section 4(a) or the Executive resigns for Good Reason pursuant to Section 4(b), the Company shall pay the Executive the Accrued Obligations and, in addition, subject to the provisions of Section 19, (A) an amount equal to twenty-four (24) months of the Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect on the date of termination or resignation, payable in a lump sum within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of termination or resignation; and (B) provided the Executive timely elects continuation coverage under COBRA, the Company shall also pay, on the Executive’s behalf, the portion of monthly premiums for the Executive’s group health insurance, including coverage for the Executive’s dependents, that the Company paid immediately prior to the date of termination or resignation, during the eighteen (18) month period following the date of termination or resignation, subject to the Executive’s continued eligibility for COBRA coverage. The Company will pay for such COBRA coverage for eligible dependents only for those dependents who were enrolled immediately prior to the date of termination or resignation. The Executive will continue to be required to pay that portion of the premium for the Executive’s health coverage, including coverage for the Executive’s eligible dependents, that the Executive was required to pay as an active employee immediately prior to the date of termination or resignation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that under applicable guidance the reimbursement of COBRA premiums causes the Company’s group health plan to violate any applicable nondiscrimination rule, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith a mutually agreeable alternative arrangement; and (II) if such termination is a termination or resignation under the circumstances described in Sections 4(c), 4(d), 4(e) or 4(f), the Executive shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits for which the Executive is eligible under such sections.
Change in Control Benefits Agreement shall mean any separate agreement between Participant and the Corporation which provides Participant with special vesting acceleration and/or other special benefits with respect to one or more awards of restricted stock units made to Participant for shares of Common Stock, including (to the extent applicable) the restricted stock units evidenced by this Agreement, in the event of a change in control or ownership of the Corporation (whether or not constituting a Change in Control hereunder).
Change in Control Bonus “Change in Control Bonus” has the meaning set forth in Section 5a(iii)(1).
Change in Control Benefit If a Change in Control occurs followed within twenty-four (24) months by Separation from Service prior to Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall distribute to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.4 in lieu of any other benefit under this Article.
