Exhibit 10.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and
entered into as of this 30th day of May, 2013, by and between Banner Corporation
(the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary Banner Bank (the “Bank”), and
Mark J. Grescovich (the “Employee”).

WHEREAS, on April 29, 2010, the parties entered into an employment agreement
(the "Initial Employment Agreement");

WHEREAS, on March 26, 2012, the parties entered into an amended employment
agreement (the "First Amended Employment Agreement"), which superseded the
Initial Employment Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Employee has made and is anticipated to continue making a major
contribution to the success of the Company and the Bank;

WHEREAS, in light of the past, current and anticipated future contributions of
the Employee, the parties desire to again amend the Employee's employment
agreement, as provided for herein;

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company and the board of directors of the
Bank (collectively, the “Board of Directors”, and separately, the “Company Board
of Directors” and the “Bank Board of Directors”, respectively) believe that it
is in the best interests of the Company and the Bank to enter into this
Agreement with the Employee; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has approved and authorized the execution of
this Agreement with the Employee.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein, it is AGREED as follows:

1.           Definitions.

(a)           “Agreement” means this Amended and Restated Employment
Agreement.  This Agreement supersedes and replaces the Initial Employment
Agreement and First Amended Employment Agreement.

(b)           “Change in Control” means (i) any “person,” as such term is used
in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”) (other than the Company, any Consolidated Subsidiaries (as
hereinafter defined), any person (as hereinabove defined) acting on behalf of
the Company as underwriter pursuant to an offering who is temporarily holding
securities in connection with such offering, any trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or the Bank, or
any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the
Company in
 
 
 

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substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company),
is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company or the Bank
representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's or the
Bank’s then outstanding securities; (ii) individuals who are members of the
Company Board of Directors  on the Effective Date (in each case, the “Incumbent
Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided
that any person becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose
election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors
comprising the Incumbent Board or whose nomination for election by the
Company’s  stockholders was approved by the nominating committee serving under
an Incumbent Board or who was appointed as a result of a change at the direction
of the Washington Department of Financial Institutions (“DFI”) or the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), shall be considered a member of the
Incumbent Board; (iii) the stockholders of the Company or the Bank approve a
merger or consolidation of the Company or the Bank with any other corporation,
other than (1) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting
securities of the Company or the Bank outstanding immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined
voting power of the voting securities of the Company or the Bank, or such
surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or
(2) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the
Company or the Bank (or similar transaction) in which no person (as hereinabove
defined) acquires more than 25% of the combined voting power of the Company’s or
the Bank’s then outstanding securities; or (iv) the stockholders of the Company
or the Bank approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or the Bank,
or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company or the Bank of all or
substantially all of the Company’s or the Bank’s assets (or any transaction
having a similar effect); provided that the term “Change in Control” shall not
include an acquisition of securities by an employee benefit plan of the Company
or the Bank or a change in the composition of the Company Board of Directors or
the Bank Board of Directors at the direction of the DFI or the
FDIC.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Change in Control
shall be considered to have occurred pursuant to a transaction or event
described herein, if such transaction or event occurred pursuant to, or in
connection with, a public offering approved by the Company Board of Directors.

(c)           The term “Committee” means with respect to the Company Board of
Directors and the Bank Board of Directors, respectively, a committee of such
Board of Directors which has been delegated authority to act on behalf of the
Company Board of Directors or Bank Board of Directors, as the case may be.

(d)           The term “Consolidated Subsidiaries” means any subsidiary or
subsidiaries of the Company (or its successors) that are part of the affiliated
group (as defined in Section 1504 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”), without regard to subsection (b) thereof) that includes
the Bank, including but not limited to the Company.

(e)           The term “Date of Termination” means the date upon which the
Employee experiences a Separation from Service, as specified in a notice of
termination pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement or the date a succession
becomes effective under Section 11.
 
 
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(f)           The term “Effective Date” means, with respect to this Agreement,
June 1, 2013.

(g)           The term “Involuntary Termination” means the Employee’s Separation
from Service (i) by the Company and the Bank without the Employee's express
written consent; or (ii) by the Employee by reason of a material diminution of
or interference with his duties, responsibilities or benefits as described in
this sentence, if the Employee sends written notice to the Company and the Bank
in accordance with Section 8 of this Agreement that an Involuntary Termination
has occurred within 30 days of  any of the following actions unless consented to
in writing by the Employee:  (1) a requirement that the Employee be based at any
place other than Seattle, Washington, or within a radius of 50 miles from the
location of the Company’s administrative offices as of the Effective Date,
except for (A) reasonable travel on Company or Bank business, and (B) services
performed in Walla Walla, Washington (which is anticipated to be considerable
and is understood by the Employee to constitute an essential part of his
responsibilities hereunder); (2) a material demotion of the Employee (which
shall include his removal by the respective Board of Directors as a director
from the Company Board of Directors or the Bank Board of Directors or the
failure of either Board of Directors to retain the Employee as Chief Executive
Officer of the Company or the Bank subsequent to his appointment unless such
action was effected to comply with a regulatory compliance requirement); (3) a
material reduction in the Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities
(which shall include his removal by the respective Board of Directors as a
director from the Company Board of Directors or the Bank Board of Directors or
the failure of either Board of Directors to  retain the Employee as Chief
Executive Officer of the Company or the Bank subsequent to his appointment
unless such action was effected to comply with a regulatory compliance
requirement); (4) a reduction in the Employee's Salary, other than as part of an
overall program applied uniformly and with equitable effect to all members of
the senior management of the Company or the Bank, or as required to comply with
a regulatory compliance requirement; (5) the failure of the Company Board of
Directors (or a board of directors of a successor of the Company) to elect the
Employee as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company (or a successor
of the Company) or any action by the Company Board of Directors (or a board of
directors of a successor of the Company) removing the Employee from such office,
or the failure of the Bank Board of Directors (or a board of directors of a
successor of the Bank) to elect the Employee as Chief Executive Officer and
President of the Bank (or a successor of the Bank) or any action by the Bank
Board of Directors (or a board of directors of a successor of the Bank) removing
the Employee from such office; (6) involuntary discontinuance or material
reduction in the Employee’s existing incentive compensation awards (but not
awards under the new 2013 Annual Incentive Plan or 2013 Long-term Incentive
Plan), without the Employee’s consent, other than as part of an overall program
applied uniformly and with equitable effect to all members of the senior
management of the Company or the Bank, or as required to comply with a
regulatory compliance requirement; or (7) involuntary discontinuance of the
Employee’s participation in any existing employee benefit or fringe benefit plan
maintained by the Company or the Bank (but not the new 2013 Annual Incentive
Plan or 2013 Long-term Incentive Plan), without the Employee’s consent, unless
such plan is discontinued by reason of law or a regulatory compliance
requirement  or pursuant to the terms of the plan relating to plan
termination.  The term “Involuntary Termination” does not
 
 
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include Termination for Cause, Separation from Service due to death or permanent
disability pursuant to Section 7(f) of this Agreement, retirement or suspension
or temporary or permanent prohibition from participation in the conduct of the
Bank's affairs under Section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act
(“FDIA”).  For purposes of this definition the phrase "regulatory compliance
requirement" includes (but is not limited to) enforcement matters between the
Bank, the FDIC and/or the DFI and the Company and the Federal Reserve Bank of
San Francisco.

(h)           The term “Section 409A” shall mean Section 409A of the Code and
the regulations and guidance of general applicability issued thereunder.

(i)           The term “Separation from Service” shall have the same meaning as
in Section 409A.  For purposes of determining whether the Employee is entitled
to a payment on account of Involuntary Termination under Section 7(a) or Section
7(d) of this Agreement, the term “Separation from Service” shall require the
complete cessation of services to the Bank, the Company and all Consolidated
Subsidiaries.

(j)           The terms “Termination for Cause” and “Terminated for Cause” mean
the Employee’s Separation from Service with the Company or the Bank because of
the Employee's personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of a fiduciary
duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties
(unless Employee is prevented from performing such duties because he is disabled
(within the meaning of Section 7(f)) of this Agreement or suffering from a
medical condition that reasonably prevents him from performing such duties
despite following a treatment plan provided by a physician or licensed medical
specialist), willful violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than
traffic violations or offenses that are classified as misdemeanors) or final
cease-and-desist order, acts or failures to act that may have a material
detrimental effect on the reputation or business of the Company or the Bank or
would be reasonably likely to result in  regulatory sanctions, penalties or
restrictions on the Company’s or the Bank’s operations, or material breach of
any provision of this Agreement unless the Employee cures such material breach
within thirty (30) days after a written notice describing such material breach
is received by the Employee.   The Employee shall not be deemed to have been
Terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the
Employee a copy of a resolution, duly adopted by the Board of Directors at a
meeting of the Board of Directors duly called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice to the Employee and an opportunity for the Employee, together
with the Employee's counsel, to be heard before the Board), stating that in the
good faith opinion of the Board of Directors the Employee has engaged in conduct
described in the preceding sentence and specifying the particulars thereof in
detail.

(k)           The term “Voluntary Termination” means the Employee’s Separation
From Service pursuant to Section 7(c) of this Agreement.

2.           Term.  The initial term of this Agreement shall be a period of
three years, commencing on June 1, 2013.   On each anniversary thereafter, the
term of this Agreement shall be extended for a period of one year from that June
1 anniversary date, provided that (i) neither the Employee nor the Company has
given notice to the other in writing at least 90 days prior to
 
 
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the end of the then current three-year term that this Agreement shall not be
extended further; and (ii) prior to the end of the then current three-year term,
the Board of Directors (or their respective Committees) explicitly reviews and
approves the extension.  Reference herein to the term of this Agreement shall
refer to both the initial term and any extended terms.

3.           Employment; Appointment as Director.  The Employee shall be
employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank.  All employees of the Company
and the Bank shall report to the Employee in his capacity as President of the
Company and the Bank.  The Employee shall render all services and possess the
powers as are customarily performed by persons situated in similar executive
capacities, and shall have such other powers and duties as the Board of
Directors may prescribe from time to time.  The Employee shall also render
services to any subsidiary or subsidiaries of the Company or the Bank as
requested by the Company or the Bank from time to time consistent with his
executive position.  The Employee shall devote his best efforts and reasonable
time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company and the Bank to
the extent necessary to discharge his responsibilities hereunder.  The Employee
shall perform his duties under this Agreement in accordance with such reasonable
standards expected of persons with comparable positions in comparable
organizations and as may be established from time to time by the Board of
Directors.  The Employee may (i) serve on charitable or civic boards or
committees and, in addition, on such corporate boards as are approved in a
resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors or the Committee,
which approval shall not be withheld unreasonably, and (ii) manage personal
investments, so long as such activities do not interfere materially with
performance of his responsibilities hereunder.  The Employee also shall be
elected as a Director of the Company and the Bank, subject to any shareholder
and regulatory approval that may be required.  If the Employee ceases to be an
officer of the Company, the Employee shall immediately resign as a Director of
the Company.  If the Employee ceases to be an officer of the Bank, then the
Employee shall immediately resign as a Director of the Bank.

4.           Cash Compensation.

(a)           Salary.  The Company and the Bank jointly agree to pay the
Employee during the term of this Agreement an annual base salary (the “Salary”)
of $715,000.  The Employee’s Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Company
and the Bank's regular payroll practices and subject to customary tax and other
withholdings.  The amount of the Employee's Salary shall be increased (but shall
not be decreased) from time to time in accordance with the amounts of salary
approved by both the Company's Board of Directors and the Bank's Board of
Directors (or their Committees).  The amount of the Salary shall be reviewed by
both the Company's Board of Directors and the Bank's Board of Directors (or
their Committees), at least annually during the term of this Agreement.

(b)           Bonuses.   The Employee shall be entitled to participate in an
equitable manner with all other executive officers of the Company and the Bank
in such performance-based and discretionary bonuses, if any, as are authorized
and declared by the Board of Directors or the Committee for executive
officers.  No other compensation provided for in this Agreement shall be deemed
a substitute for the Employee's right to participate in such discretionary
bonuses
 
 
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when and as declared by the Board. Any such bonus shall take into account the
Company and the Bank's current financial condition, operations, and the Board's
evaluation of the performance of the Employee. Bonuses provided for under this
Agreement shall be paid no later than 2½ months after the end of the year in
which the right to the payment is no longer subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture (or such other time that still qualifies the payment as a “short-term
deferral” under Section 409A).

(c)           Expenses.  The Employee shall be entitled to receive prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Employee in performing
services under this Agreement in accordance with the policies and procedures
applicable to the executive officers of the Company and the Bank, provided that
the Employee accounts for such expenses as required under such policies and
procedures.

5.           Benefits.

(a)           Participation in Benefit Plans.  The Employee shall be entitled to
participate, to the same extent as executive officers of the Company and the
Bank generally, in all plans of the Company and the Bank relating to pension,
retirement, thrift, profit-sharing, savings, group or other life insurance,
hospitalization, medical and dental coverage, travel and accident insurance,
education, cash bonuses, and other retirement or employee benefits or
combinations thereof.  In addition, the Employee shall be entitled to be
considered for benefits under all of the stock and stock option related plans in
which the Company and the Bank's executive officers are eligible or become
eligible to participate.

(b)           Fringe Benefits.  The Employee shall be eligible to participate
in, and receive benefits under, any other fringe benefit plans or perquisites
which are or may become generally available to the Bank's executive officers,
including but not limited to deferred compensation programs, supplemental
medical or life insurance plans, physical examinations, financial planning and
tax preparation services.  The parties understand the Employee shall not be
entitled to participate in a supplemental executive retirement plan, even though
some of the executive officers of the Company and the Bank are covered by such
plans.  In addition, a life insurance policy will be acquired on the life of the
Employee that provides him a death benefit of $1,000,000 while he is employed as
President of the Company and the Bank.  This life insurance policy shall be
acquired as soon as practical after the Effective Date, and all premiums
thereunder shall be paid by the Company or the Bank.  The Employee shall have no
interest in the life insurance policy other than the above-referenced death
benefit (e.g., no interest in any cash value in the policy), and no rights under
the policy other than to name a beneficiary(ies).  The Employee shall reasonably
cooperate in obtaining the policy, including submitting to insurance physicals
as necessary.

(c)           Automobile.   The Employee shall be provided an automobile for his
business use, at the Company and the Bank’s joint expense.  The automobile
provided shall be determined by the Company Board of Directors in its sole
discretion, taking into account the reasonable preferences of the Employee and
his position with the Company and the Bank.  The initial value of the automobile
shall not exceed $55,000.
 
 
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(d)           Country Club.  The Company and the Bank shall jointly pay the
initiation fee (up to $50,000) for the Employee to join a golf country club in
the greater Seattle, Washington area (which club shall be agreed upon by the
parties), as well as the related monthly membership dues. The Company and the
Bank shall not pay for meals, including meal minimums, with respect to a country
club, except if such meals represent a legitimate business expense that is
reimbursable under Section 4(c) of this Agreement. The country club membership
will be owned by the Company.

(e)           To the extent any reimbursements or in-kind benefit payments under
this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, such reimbursements and in- kind
benefit payments shall be made in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-3(i)(l)(iv).

           6.           Vacations; Leave.  At such reasonable times as the Board
of Directors or the Committee shall in its discretion permit, the Employee shall
be entitled, without loss of pay, to absent himself  voluntarily from the
performance of his  employment under this Agreement, all such voluntary absences
to count as vacation time; provided that:

(a)              The Employee shall be entitled to any annual vacation in
accordance with the policies as periodically established by the Board of
Directors or the Committee for senior management officials of the Company and
the Bank, which shall in no event be less than the current policies of the
Company and the Bank.

(b)              The timing of vacations shall be scheduled in a reasonable
manner by the Employee.  The Employee shall not be entitled to receive any
additional compensation from the Company or the Bank on account of his or her
failure to take a vacation; nor shall he be entitled to accumulate unused
vacation from one fiscal year to the next except to the extent authorized by the
Board or the Committee for senior management officials of the Company or the
Bank.

(c)              In addition to the aforesaid paid vacations, the Employee shall
be entitled without loss of pay, to absent himself voluntarily from the
performance of his employment with the Company and the Bank for such additional
period of time and for such valid and legitimate reasons as each Board of
Directors or its Committee in its sole discretion may determine.  Further, each
Board of Directors or its Committee shall be entitled to grant to the Employee a
leave or leaves of absence with or without pay at such time or times and upon
such terms and conditions as each Board of Directors or its Committee in its
sole discretion may determine.

(d)              In addition, the Employee shall be entitled to annual sick
leave as established by each Board of Directors or its Committee for senior
management officials of the Company and the Bank.  In the event any sick leave
time shall not have been used during any year, such leave shall accrue to
subsequent years only to the extent authorized by each Board of Directors or its
Committee in its sole discretion.  Upon termination of the Employee’s employment
with the Company and the Bank, the Employee shall not be entitled to receive any
additional compensation from the Company and the Bank for unused sick leave,
except to the extent authorized by each Board of Directors or its Committee.

 
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7.           Termination of Employment.

(a)           Involuntary Termination.  Subject to the notice provisions in
Section 8 of this Agreement, the Board of Directors may terminate the Employee's
employment at any time, but, except in the case of Termination for Cause,
termination of employment shall not prejudice the Employee's right to
compensation or other benefits under this Agreement.  In the event of
Involuntary Termination by the Company and the Bank of the Employee, other than
after a Change in Control, the Company and the Bank jointly shall (in addition
to amounts due the Employee in connection with services performed for the
Company and the Bank prior to the Date of Termination): (1) pay to the Employee
within 25 business days after the Date of Termination a cash lump sum equal to
two times the sum of (A) the Employee's annual Salary as in effect on the Date
of Termination and (B) any performance-based bonus provided in Section 4(b),
based on the target opportunity as of the Date of Termination; (2) pay to the
Employee any earned but unpaid performance-based bonus that was established by
the Company or the Bank prior to the Date of Termination, in a cash lump sum no
later than 25 business days after the later of the Date of Termination or the
date the performance objectives are determined to be satisfied, but in no event
later than when the amount must be paid to qualify as a short-term deferral not
subject to Section 409A (it being understood that no bonus payment shall be made
under this Section 7(a)(2) if the performance period to which the bonus relates
has not ended by the Date of Termination); and (3) provide to the Employee, at
the expense of the Company and the Bank, during the 24-month period commencing
on the Date of Termination  and ending on the day preceding the second
anniversary thereof, substantially the same group life insurance,
hospitalization, medical, dental, prescription drug and other health benefits,
and long-term disability insurance (if any) for the benefit of the Employee and
his dependents and beneficiaries who would have been eligible for such benefits
if the Employee had not suffered Involuntary Termination, on terms substantially
as favorable to the Employee, taking into account the amounts of coverage and
deductibles and other costs to him, as if he had not suffered Involuntary
Termination.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent taxable payments
under this Section 7(a) would be considered deferred compensation (within the
meaning of Section 409A), and the Employee is considered a “specified employee”
(as defined in Section 409A), then no deferred compensation shall be paid until
the 185th day following the Employee’s Separation from Service (and any deferred
compensation the payment of which is delayed on account of the foregoing shall
be paid on such 185th day).  The preceding sentence shall be applied by (i)
treating as much of the payment due under this Section 7(a) as “separation pay
due to involuntary separation from service” (within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)) (“Separation Pay”) as is permitted under
Section 409A, so that such Separation Pay may be paid without regard to the
preceding sentence, and (ii) treating the Separation Pay as paid prior to the
deferred compensation, to the extent permitted by Section 409A.  No payment
shall be made under this Section 7(a) that would cause the Bank to be
“undercapitalized” for purposes of 12 C.F.R. Part 225 or any successor
provision.  Payments due under this Section 7(a) shall be conditioned on the
Employee’s compliance with Section 9(b) of this Agreement.  Except as provided
in this Section 7(a), all other bonuses or equity compensation that remains
subject to a forfeiture condition upon Involuntary Termination shall be
forfeited.
 
 
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(b)           Termination for Cause.  In the event of Termination for Cause, the
Company and the Bank shall jointly pay to the Employee the Salary and provide
benefits under this Agreement only through the Date of Termination, and shall
have no further obligation to the Employee under this Agreement.

(c)           Voluntary Termination.  The Employee's employment may be
voluntarily terminated by the Employee at any time upon at least 90 days'
written notice to the Company and the Bank or such shorter period as may be
agreed upon between the Employee and the Board of Directors.  In the event of
such voluntary termination, the Company and the Bank shall be jointly obligated
to continue to pay to the Employee the Salary and provide benefits under this
Agreement only through the Date of Termination, at the time such payments are
due, and shall have no further obligation to the Employee under this Agreement.

(d)           Change in Control.

(1)           In the event of an Involuntary Termination within 24 months after
a Change in Control, the Company and the Bank jointly shall (in addition to
amounts due the Employee in connection with services performed for the Company
and the Bank prior to the Date of Termination): (i) pay to the Employee in a
lump sum in cash within 25 business days after the Date of Termination an amount
equal to three (3) times the sum of (A) the Employee’s annual Salary as in
effect on the Date of Termination, and (B) any performance-based bonus provided
in Section 4(b), based on the target opportunity as of the Date of Termination;
(ii) pay to the Employee any earned but unpaid performance-based bonus that was
established by the Company or the Bank prior to the Involuntary Termination, in
a cash lump sum no later than 25 business days after the later of the Date of
Termination or the date the performance objectives are determined to be
satisfied, but in no event later than when the amount must be paid to qualify as
a short-term deferral not subject to Section 409A (it being understood that no
bonus payment shall be made under this Section 7(d)(1)(ii) if the performance
period to which the bonus relates has not ended by the Date of Termination); and
(iii) provide to the Employee, at the expense of the successor of the Company
and the Bank, during the period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending
on the day next preceding the third anniversary thereof (i.e., for 36 months)
during the remaining term of this Agreement substantially the same group life
insurance, hospitalization, medical, dental, prescription drug and other health
benefits, and long-term disability insurance (if any) for the benefit of the
Employee and his dependents and beneficiaries who would have been eligible for
such benefits if the Employee had not suffered Involuntary Termination, on terms
substantially as favorable to the Employee, taking into account the amounts of
coverage and deductibles and other costs to him, as if he had not suffered
Involuntary Termination; provided, however, that no payment shall be made under
this Section 7(d) that would cause the Bank to be “undercapitalized” for
purposes of 12 C.F.R. Part 225 or any successor provision.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, to the extent the taxable payments under this Section 7(d) would be
considered deferred compensation, and the Employee is considered a “specified
employee” (as defined in Section 409A), then such deferred compensation shall be
paid on the 185th day following the Employee’s Separation from
Service.  Payments due under this Section 7(d) shall be conditioned on the
Employee’s compliance with Section 9(b) of this Agreement.
 
 
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(2)           Except as provided in Section 7(d)(1), in the event of an
Involuntary Termination within 24 months after a Change in Control: (i) equity
compensation that is not subject to performance conditions and which remains
subject to forfeiture conditions shall fully vest upon the Involuntary
Termination; and (ii) equity compensation that remains subject to performance
conditions at the time of the Involuntary Termination shall become
nonforfeitable on the basis that the target performance level with respect to
such equity compensation has been satisfied as of the Involuntary Termination.

(e)           Death.  In the event of the death of the Employee while employed
under this Agreement and prior to any termination of employment, the Company and
the Bank jointly shall pay to the Employee's estate, or such person as the
Employee may have previously designated in writing, the Salary which was not
previously paid to the Employee and which he would have earned if he had
continued to be employed under this Agreement through the last day of the
calendar month in which the Employee died, together with the benefits provided
hereunder through such date.

(f)           Disability.  If the Employee becomes entitled to benefits under
the terms of the then-current disability plan, if any, of the Company or the
Bank (the “Disability Plan”) or becomes otherwise unable to fulfill his duties
under this Agreement, he shall be entitled to receive such group and other
disability benefits, if any, as are then provided by the Company or the Bank for
executive employees.  In the event of such disability, this Agreement shall not
be suspended, except that (i) the obligation to pay the Salary to the Employee
shall be reduced in accordance with the amount of disability income benefits
received by the Employee, if any, pursuant to this paragraph such that, on an
after-tax basis, the Employee shall realize from the sum of disability income
benefits and the Salary the same amount as he would realize on an after-tax
basis from the Salary if the obligation to pay the Salary were not reduced
pursuant to this Section 7(f); and (ii) upon a resolution adopted by a majority
of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors or the Committee, the
Company or the Bank may discontinue payment of the Salary beginning six months
following a determination that the Employee has become entitled to benefits
under the Disability Plan or otherwise unable to fulfill his duties under this
Agreement. If the Employee’s disability does not constitute a disability within
the meaning of Section 409A, and the Employee is a “specified employee” within
the meaning of Section 409A, then payments under this Section 7(f) shall not
commence until the earlier of the Employee’s death or the sixth month
anniversary of the Employee’s Separation from Service, with any delayed payments
being made with the first permissible payment.

(g)           Temporary Suspension or Prohibition.  If the Employee 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 (g)(1) of the FDIA, 12
U.S.C. Section 1818(e)(3) and (g)(1), or pursuant to Section 30.12.040 of the
Revised Code of Washington (R.C.W.), the Bank's obligations 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 may in its
discretion (i) pay the Employee all or part of the compensation withheld while
its obligations under this Agreement were suspended and (ii) reinstate in whole
or in part any of its obligations
 
 
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which were suspended, all in a manner that does not violate Section 409A.

(h)           Permanent Suspension or Prohibition.  If the Employee 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 (g)(1) of the FDIA, 12
U.S.C. Section 1818(e)(4) and (g)(1), or pursuant to R.C.W. Section 30.12.040,
all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate as of the
effective date of the order, but vested rights of the contracting parties shall
not be affected.

(i)           Default of the Bank.  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, but this provision shall not affect any
vested rights of the contracting parties.

(j)           Termination by Regulators.  All obligations under this Agreement
shall be terminated, except to the extent determined that continuation of this
Agreement is necessary for the continued operation of the Bank: (1) at the time
the FDIC enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the
Bank under the authority contained in Section 13(c) of the FDIA; or (2) by the
FDIC, at the time it approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related
to operation of the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the Director to be in
an unsafe or unsound condition.  Any rights of the parties that have already
vested, however, shall not be affected by any such action.

(k)           Reductions of Benefits. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, if payments and the value of benefits received or to be received
under this Agreement, together with any other amounts and the value of benefits
received or to be received by the Employee ("Total Payments"), would be subject
to the excise tax imposed by Code Section 4999 or any similar tax that may
hereafter be imposed ("Excise Tax"), then the Company shall compute the “Net
After-Tax Amount,” and the “Reduced Amount,” and shall adjust the Total Payments
as described below. The Net After-Tax Amount shall mean the present value of the
Employee's Total Payments, net of all federal income, excise and employment
taxes imposed on the Employee by reason of such payments (with such income taxes
being determined using the highest marginal rates then in effect). The Reduced
Amount shall mean the largest aggregate amount of the Total Payments that if
paid to the Employee would result in the Employee receiving a Net After-Tax
Amount that is equal to or greater than the Net After-Tax Amount that the
Employee would have received if the Total Payments had been made. If the Company
determines that there is a Reduced Amount, the Total Payments will be reduced to
the Reduced Amount.  Unless the Employee elects in writing a different order
(provided, however, that such election shall be subject to the Company’s
approval if made on or after the date on which the event that triggers the
payment occurs, and provided further that such election does not violate Section
409A), the reduction to the Total Payments shall be made by first reducing or
eliminating any cash severance benefits, then by reducing or eliminating any
accelerated vesting of equity awards, then by reducing or eliminating any other
remaining Total Payments, in each case in reverse order beginning with the
payments which are to be paid the farthest in time from the date of the
transaction triggering the Excise Tax

(l)           Further Reductions.  Any payments made to the Employee pursuant to
this
 
 
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Agreement, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance
with 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k) and FDIC regulation 12 C.F.R. Part 359, Golden
Parachute and Indemnification Payments.

8.           Notice of Termination.  In the event that the Company or the Bank,
or both, desire to terminate the employment of the Employee during the term of
this Agreement, the Company or the Bank, or both, shall deliver to the Employee
a written notice of termination, stating whether such termination constitutes
Termination for Cause or Involuntary Termination, setting forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances that are the basis for the termination, and
specifying the date upon which employment shall terminate, which date shall be
at least 30 days after the date upon which the notice is delivered, except in
the case of Termination for Cause.  In the event that the Employee determines in
good faith that he has experienced an Involuntary Termination of his employment,
he shall send a written notice to the Company and the Bank stating the
circumstances that constitute such Involuntary Termination and the date upon
which his employment shall have ceased due to such Involuntary Termination.  In
the event that the Employee desires to effect a Voluntary Termination, he shall
deliver a written notice to the Company and the Bank, stating the date upon
which employment shall terminate, which date shall be at least 90 days after the
date upon which the notice is delivered, unless the parties agree to a date
sooner.

9.           Loyalty; Noncompetition.

(a)           The Employee shall devote his full time and best efforts to the
performance of his employment under this Agreement.  During the term of this
Agreement, the Employee shall not, at any time or place, either directly or
indirectly, engage in any business or activity in competition with the business
affairs or interests of the Company or the Bank or be a director, officer or
executive of or consultant to any bank, savings and loan association, credit
union or similar thrift, savings bank or institution or holding company of any
such entity in any county  in which the Company, the Bank or any other affiliate
of the Company operates a full service branch office.

(b)           Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason other than the
reasons set forth in Section 7(a) and (d) of this Agreement, for a period of one
(1) year from the termination of this Agreement, the Employee shall not be a
director, officer or employee of or consultant to any bank, savings and loan
association, credit union or similar thrift, savings bank or institution or
holding company of any such entity in any county  in which the Company, the Bank
or any other affiliate of the Company operates a full service branch office on
the Date of Termination of this Agreement.

(c)           Nothing in Sections 9(a) and 9(b) shall limit the right of the
Employee to invest in the capital stock or other securities of any business
dissimilar from that of Company or the Bank, or solely as a passive investor in
any business.

(d)           Directly or indirectly engaging in any business or activity in
competition with the business affairs or interests of the Company or the Bank
shall include engaging in
 
 
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business as owner, partner, agent or employee of any person, firm or corporation
engaged in such business individually or as beneficiary by interest in any
partnership, corporation or other business entity or in being interested
directly or indirectly in any such business conducted by any person, firm or
corporation.  The preceding sentence shall not apply with respect to ownership
by the Employee of less than one percent of a publicly traded entity.

(e)           In the event of violation by the Employee of this Agreement for
loyalty and noncompetition, the Employee will be subject to damages and because
of the relationship of employer and employee, it is hereby agreed injunctive
relief is necessary for the Company and the Bank to enforce these provisions of
the Agreement to protect its business and good will.
 
10.           Attorneys' Fees.  The Company and the Bank jointly shall pay all
legal fees and related expenses (including the costs of experts, evidence and
counsel) incurred by the Employee as a result of (i) the Employee's contesting
or disputing any termination of employment, or (ii) the Employee'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 or the Bank (or a successor)
or the Consolidated Subsidiaries under which the Employee is or may be entitled
to receive benefits; provided that the Company’s and the Bank's obligation to
pay such fees and expenses is subject to the Employee's prevailing with respect
to the matters in dispute in any action initiated by the Employee or the
Employee's having been determined to have acted reasonably and in good faith
with respect to any action initiated by the Company or the Bank.

11.           No Assignments.

(a)           This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto, and no
party may assign or delegate any of its rights or obligations hereunder without
first obtaining the written consent of the other party; provided, however, that
the Company and the Bank shall require any successor or assign (whether direct
or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) by an assumption
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Employee, to expressly
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company and/or the Bank would be required to perform it, if no
such succession or assignment had taken place.  Failure to obtain such an
assumption agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such succession or
assignment shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the Employee to
compensation and benefits from the Company and the Bank in the same amount and
on the same terms as the compensation and benefits that would be payable to
Employee pursuant to Section 7(d) of this Agreement without regard to whether a
Change in Control has occurred.  For purposes of implementing the provisions of
this Section 11(a), the date on which any such succession becomes effective
shall be deemed the Date of Termination.

(b)             This Agreement and all rights of the Employee hereunder shall
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Employee's personal and legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees,
devisees and legatees.

12.           Notice.  For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or sent by certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to
 
 
 
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the  Company and the Bank at their home offices, to the attention of the Board
of Directors with a copy to the Secretary of the Company and the Secretary of
the Bank, or, if to the Employee, to such home or other address as the Employee
has most recently provided in writing to the Company or the Bank.
 
13.           Amendments.  No amendments or additions to this Agreement shall be
binding unless in writing and signed by both parties, except as herein otherwise
provided.
 
14.           Headings.  The headings used in this Agreement are included solely
for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the
interpretation of this Agreement.
 
15.           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.
 
16.           Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Washington.
 
17.           Arbitration.  Any dispute or controversy arising under or in
connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in
accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in
effect.  Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having
jurisdiction.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company, the  Bank or both may
resort to the Superior Court of Walla Walla  County, Washington for injunctive
and such other relief as may be available in the event that the Employee engages
in conduct, after termination of the Agreement that amounts to a violation of
the Washington Trade Secrets Act or amounts to unlawful interference with the
business expectations of the Company or the Bank. The FDIC may appear at any
arbitration hearing but the decision is not binding on the FDIC.

18.           Scope of Company and Bank Obligations.  Although the Company and
the Bank have jointly obligated themselves to the Employee under certain
provisions of this Agreement, in no event is the Employee entitled to more than
what is provided for hereunder, i.e., no duplicative payments shall be provided
for hereunder.

19.           Knowing and Voluntary Agreement.  Employee represents and agrees
that he has read this Agreement, understands its terms, and that he has the
right to consult counsel of choice and has either done so or knowingly waives
the right to do so.  Employee also represents that he has had ample time to read
and understand the Agreement before executing it and that he enters into this
Agreement without duress or coercion from any source.
 

 * * * * *

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and
year first above written.
 

 
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THIS AGREEMENT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION PROVISION WHICH MAY BE ENFORCED BY
THE PARTIES.
 
 
 
 

 BANNER CORPORATION       /s/Anne Wuesthoff                          By:/s/Gary
Sirmon                                                           Acting
Secretary        Its: Chairman of the
Board                                                  

                                      

BANNER BANK

    /s/Anne Wuesthoff                         By:/s/Gary
Sirmon                                                            Acting
Secretary        Its:Chairman of the
Board                                                   

 
 

  EMPLOYEE            /s/Mark J.
Grescovich                                                      Mark J.
Grescovich        

 
                                                       

 

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