Exhibit 10.7

 

FORM OF

 

SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

 

BETWEEN

 

HERITAGE OAKS BANK

 

AND

 

This Salary Continuation Agreement (the “Agreement”) by and between HERITAGE
OAKS BANK, a California corporation, (hereinafter referred to as the “Employer”)
and ______________ (hereinafter referred to as the “Executive”), effective as of
the ___ day of _____________, formalizes the agreements and understanding
between the Employer and the Executive.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by the Employer;

 

WHEREAS, the Employer recognizes the valuable services the Employee has
performed for the Employer and wishes to encourage the Executive’s continued
employment and to provide the Executive with additional incentive to achieve
corporate objectives;

 

WHEREAS, the Employer wishes to provide the terms and conditions upon which the
Employer shall pay additional retirement benefits to the Executive; and

 

WHEREAS, the Employer intends this Agreement shall at all times be administered
and interpreted i) to comply with Code Section 409A and ii) in such a manner as
to constitute an unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement,
maintained primarily to provide supplemental retirement benefits for the
Executive, a member of select group of management or highly compensated employee
of the Employer.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual promises
herein contained, the Employer and the Executive agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

 

For the purpose of this Agreement, the following phrases or terms shall have the
indicated meanings:

 

1.1       “Accrued Benefit” means the dollar value of the liability that should
be accrued by the Employer, under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, for
the Employer’s obligation to the Executive under this Agreement, by applying
Accounting Principles Board Opinion Number 12 as amended by Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards Number 106 and the Discount Rate.

 

1.2       “Administrator” means the Board or its designee.

 

1.3       “Affiliate” means any business entity with whom the Employer would be
considered a single employer under Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code.  Such
term shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the definition of “service
recipient” contained in Code Section 409A.

 

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1.4       “Beneficiary” means the person or persons designated in writing by the
Executive to receive benefits hereunder in the event of the Executive’s death.

 

1.5       “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Employer, unless
specifically noted otherwise.

 

1.6       “Cause” means any of the following acts or circumstances: (i) willful
destruction by the Executive of property of the Employer having a material value
to the Employer; (ii) fraud, embezzlement, theft, or comparable dishonest
activity committed by the Executive; (iii) the Executive’s conviction of or
entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any crime constituting a felony
or any misdemeanor involving fraud, dishonesty, or moral turpitude; (iv) the
Executive’s breach, neglect, refusal, or failure to materially  discharge the
Executive’s duties (other than due to physical or mental illness) commensurate
with the Executive’s title and function or the Executive’s failure to comply
with the lawful directions of a senior managing officer of the Employer in any
such case that is not cured within fifteen (15) days after the Executive has
received written notice thereof from such senior managing officer; or (v) any
willful misconduct by the Executive which may cause substantial economic or
reputation injury to the Employer, including, but not limited to, sexual or
other harassment.

 

1.7       “Change in Control” means a change in the ownership or effective
control of the Employer, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the
assets of the Employer, as such change is defined in Code Section 409A and
regulations thereunder.

 

1.8       “Claimant” means a person who believes that he or she is being denied
a benefit to which he or she is entitled hereunder.

 

1.9       “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

1.10     “Disability” means a condition of the Executive whereby the Executive
either: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of
any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to
result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less
than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or
mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to
last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income
replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an
accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer.  The Administrator
will determine whether the Executive has incurred a Disability based on its own
good faith determination and may require the Executive to submit to reasonable
physical and mental examinations for this purpose.  The Executive will also be
deemed to have incurred a Disability if determined to be totally disabled by the
Social Security Administration or in accordance with a disability insurance
program, provided that the definition of disability applied under such
disability insurance program complies with the initial sentence of this Section.

 

1.11     “Early Termination” means Separation from Service before Normal
Retirement Age except when such Separation from Service occurs within twelve
(12) months following a Change in Control or due to Termination for Cause.

 

1.12     “Effective Date” means _______________.

 

1.13     “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

 

1.14     “Normal Retirement Age” means the date the Executive attains age
sixty-five (65).

 

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1.15     “Plan Year” means each twelve (12) month period commencing on January 1
and ending on December 31 of each year.  The initial Plan Year shall commence on
the Effective Date and end on the following December 31.

 

1.16     “Separation from Service” means a termination of the Executive’s
employment with the Employer and its Affiliates for reasons other than death or
Disability.  A Separation from Service may occur as of a specified date for
purposes of the Agreement even if the Executive continues to provide some
services for the Employer or its Affiliates after that date, provided that the
facts and circumstances indicate that the Employer and the Executive reasonably
anticipated at that date that either no further services would be performed
after that date, or that the level of bona fide services the Executive would
perform after such date (whether as an Employee or as an independent contractor)
would permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average
level of bona fide services performed over the immediately preceding thirty-six
(36) month period (or the full period during which the Executive performed
services for the Employer, if that is less than thirty-six (36) months).  A
Separation from Service will not be deemed to have occurred while the Executive
is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the
period of such leave does not exceed six (6) months or, if longer, the period
for which a statute or contract provides the Executive with the right to
reemployment with the Employer.  If the Executive’s leave exceeds six (6) months
but the Executive is not entitled to reemployment under a statute or contract,
the Executive incurs a Separation of Service on the next day following the
expiration of such six (6) month period.  In determining whether a Separation of
Service occurs the Administrator shall take into account, among other things,
the definition of “service recipient” and “employer” set forth in Treasury
regulation §1.409A-1(h)(3).  The Administrator shall have full and final
authority, to determine conclusively whether a Separation from Service occurs,
and the date of such Separation from Service.

 

1.17     “Specified Employee” means an individual that satisfies the definition
of a “key employee” of the Employer as such term is defined in Code
§416(i) (without regard to Code §416(i)(5)), provided that the stock of the
Employer is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise, as
defined in Code §1.897-1(m).  If the Executive is a key employee at any time
during the twelve (12) months ending on December 31, the Executive is a
Specified Employee for the twelve (12) month period commencing on the first day
of the following April.

 

1.18     “Vested Accrued Benefit” means the Accrued Benefit multiplied by the
vesting percentage determined below:

 

 

Date of Early Termination

Vesting Percentage

Prior to _________

0%

________ – _________

10%

________ – _________

20%

________ – _________

30%

________ – _________

40%

________ – _________

50%

________ – _________

60%

________ – _________

70%

________ – _________

80%

________ – _________

90%

After __________

100%

 

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ARTICLE 2

PAYMENT OF BENEFITS

 

2.1       Normal Retirement Benefit.  Upon Separation from Service after Normal
Retirement Age, the Employer shall pay the Executive an annual benefit in the
amount of _____________.  The Employer will pay the annual benefit in twelve
(12) equal monthly installments for a period of fifteen (15) years commencing on
the first day of the second month following Separation from Service, subject to
the conditions and limitations hereinafter set forth.

 

2.2       Early Termination Benefit.  If Early Termination occurs, the Employer
shall pay the Executive the Vested Accrued Benefit determined as of the end of
the Plan Year preceding Separation from Service in a lump sum within ninety (90)
days following Separation from Service

 

2.3       Disability Benefit.  In the event the Executive suffers a Disability
prior to Normal Retirement Age the Employer shall pay the Executive an annual
benefit in the amount of ________________.  The Employer will pay the annual
benefit in twelve (12) equal monthly installments for a period of fifteen (15)
years commencing on the first day of the month following Normal Retirement Age.

 

2.4       Change in Control Benefit.  If a Change in Control occurs, followed
within twelve (12) months by Separation of Service prior to Normal Retirement
Age, the Employer shall pay the Executive an annual benefit in the amount of
_________________.  The Employer will pay the annual benefit in twelve (12)
equal monthly installments for a period of fifteen (15) years commencing on the
first day of the second month following Separation from Service.

 

2.5       Death Prior to Commencement of Benefit Payments.  In the event the
Executive dies prior to Separation from Service and Disability, the Employer
shall pay the Beneficiary an annual benefit in the amount of _________________. 
The Employer will pay the annual benefit in twelve (12) equal monthly
installments for a period of fifteen (15) years commencing on the first day of
the fourth month following the Executive’s death.

 

2.6       Death Subsequent to Commencement of Benefit Payments.  In the event
the Executive dies while receiving payments, but prior to receiving all payments
due and owing hereunder, Employer shall pay the Beneficiary the same benefits to
which the Executive was entitled at the same times as the Executive would have
been paid.

 

2.7       Death Before Benefit Distributions Commence.  In the event the
Executive is entitled to benefit distributions under Section 2.3 or 2.4 of this
Agreement but dies prior to the commencement of said benefit distributions, the
Employer shall pay the Beneficiary the same benefits to which the Executive was
entitled, except that the payments shall be made as specified in Section 2.5 and
shall commence on the first day of the fourth month following the Executive’s
death.  In the event Executive is entitled to benefit distributions under
Section 2.1 or 2.2 of this Agreement but dies prior to the commencement of said
benefit distributions, Employer shall pay the Beneficiary the amounts to which
the Executive was entitled at the same times as the Executive would have been
paid.

 

2.7       Termination for Cause Prior to Normal Retirement Date.  If the
Employer terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, then the Executive
shall not be entitled to any benefits under the terms of this Agreement.

 

2.8       Restriction on Commencement of Distributions.  Notwithstanding any
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is considered a
Specified Employee at the time of Separation from Service, the provisions of
this Section shall govern all distributions hereunder.  Distributions which
would otherwise be made to the Executive due to Separation from Service shall
not be made during the first six (6) months following Separation from Service. 
Rather, any distribution which would otherwise be paid to the Executive during
such period shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the
first day of the seventh month following Separation from Service.  All
subsequent distributions shall be paid as they would have had this Section not
applied.

 

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2.9       Acceleration of Payments.  Except as specifically permitted herein, no
acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment may be made hereunder. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments may be accelerated, in accordance with
the provisions of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(j)(4) in the following
circumstances: (i) as a result of certain domestic relations orders; (ii) in
compliance with ethics agreements with the federal government; (iii) in
compliance with the ethics laws or conflicts of interest laws; (iv) in limited
cashouts (but not in excess of the limit under Code §402(g)(1)(B)); (v) to pay
employment-related taxes; or (vi) to pay any taxes that may become due at any
time that the Agreement fails to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

2.10     Delays in Payment by Employer.  A payment may be delayed to a date
after the designated payment date under any of the circumstances described
below, and the provision will not fail to meet the requirements of establishing
a permissible payment event.  The delay in the payment will not constitute a
subsequent deferral election, so long as the Employer treats all payments to
similarly situated Participants on a reasonably consistent basis.

 

(a)        Payments subject to Code Section 162(m).  If the Employer reasonably
anticipates that the Employer’s deduction with respect to any distribution under
this Agreement would be limited or eliminated by application of Code
Section 162(m), then to the extent deemed necessary by the Employer to ensure
that the entire amount of any distribution from this Agreement is deductible,
the Employer may delay payment of any amount that would otherwise be distributed
under this Agreement.  The delayed amounts shall be distributed to the Executive
(or the Beneficiary in the event of the Executive’s death) at the earliest date
the Employer reasonably anticipates that the deduction of the payment of the
amount will not be limited or eliminated by application of Code Section 162(m).

 

(b)        Payments that would violate Federal securities laws or other
applicable law.  A payment may be delayed where the Employer reasonably
anticipates that the making of the payment will violate Federal securities laws,
orders issued by Employer’s Federal or State regulators, restrictions imposed on
the Employer as a TARP recipient or other applicable law provided that the
payment is made at the earliest date at which the Employer reasonably
anticipates that the making of the payment will not cause such violation.  The
making of a payment that would cause inclusion in gross income or the
application of any penalty provision of the Internal Revenue Code is not treated
as a violation of law.

 

(c)        Solvency.  Notwithstanding the above, a payment may be delayed where
the payment would jeopardize the ability of the Employer to continue as a going
concern.

 

2.11     Treatment of Payment as Made on Designated Payment Date.  Any payment
under this Agreement made after the required payment date shall be deemed made
on the required payment date provided that such payment is made by the latest
of: (i) the end of the calendar year in which the payment is due; (ii) the
15th day of the third calendar month following the payment due date; (iii) if
Employer cannot calculate the payment amount on account of administrative
impracticality which is beyond the Executive’s control, the end of the first
calendar year which payment calculation is practicable; and (iv) if Employer
does not have sufficient funds to make the payment without jeopardizing the
Employer’s solvency, in the first calendar year in which the Employer’s funds
are sufficient to make the payment.

 

2.12     Facility of Payment.  If a distribution is to be made to a minor, or to
a person who is otherwise incompetent, then the Administrator may make such
distribution: (i) to the legal guardian, or if none, to a parent of a minor
payee with whom the payee maintains his or her residence; or (ii) to the
conservator or administrator or, if none, to the person having custody of an
incompetent payee.  Any such distribution shall fully discharge the Employer and
the Administrator from further liability on account thereof.

 

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2.13     Excise Tax Limitation.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement
to the contrary, if any benefit payment hereunder would be treated as an “excess
parachute payment” under Code Section 280G, the Employer shall reduce such
benefit payment to the extent necessary to avoid treating such benefit payment
as an excess parachute payment.

 

2.14     Changes in Form of Timing of Benefit Payments.  The Employer and the
Executive may, subject to the terms of Section 6.1, amend this Agreement to
delay the timing or change the form of payments.  Any such amendment:

 

(a)        may not accelerate the time or schedule of any distribution;

(b)        must, for benefits distributable due solely to the arrival of a
specified date, or on account of Separation from Service or Change in Control,
delay the commencement of distributions for a minimum of five (5) years from the
date the first distribution was originally scheduled to be made; and

(c)        must take effect not less than twelve (12) months after the amendment
is made.

 

ARTICLE 3

BENEFICIARIES

 

3.1       Designation of Beneficiaries.  The Executive may designate any person
to receive any benefits payable under the Agreement upon the Executive’s death,
and the designation may be changed from time to time by the Executive by filing
a new designation.  Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the
Executive and shall be in the form prescribed by the Administrator, and shall be
effective only when filed in writing with the Administrator during the
Executive’s lifetime.  If the Executive names someone other than the Executive’s
spouse as a Beneficiary, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion,
determine that spousal consent is required to be provided in a form designated
by the Administrator, executed by the Executive’s spouse and returned to the
Administrator.  The Executive’s beneficiary designation shall be deemed
automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases the Executive or if the
Executive names a spouse as Beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently
dissolved.

 

3.2       Absence of Beneficiary Designation.  In the absence of a valid
Beneficiary designation, or if, at the time any benefit payment is due to a
Beneficiary, there is no living Beneficiary validly named by the Executive, the
Employer shall pay the benefit payment to the Executive’s spouse.  If the spouse
is not living to the Executive’s then the Employer shall pay the benefit payment
to the Executive’s living descendants per stirpes, and if there no living
descendants, to the Executive’s estate.  In determining the existence or
identity of anyone entitled to a benefit payment, the Employer may rely
conclusively upon information supplied by the Executive’s personal
representative, executor, or administrator.

 

3.3       Information to be Furnished by Participants and Beneficiaries;
Inability to Locate Participants or Beneficiaries.  Any communication,
statement, or notice addressed to the Executive or Beneficiary at his or her
last post office address as shown on the Employer’s records shall be binding on
the Executive or Beneficiary for all purposes of this Agreement.  The Employer
shall not be obligated to search for any Executive or Beneficiary beyond the
sending of a registered letter to the last known address.

 

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ARTICLE 4

ADMINISTRATION

 

4.1       Administrator Duties.  The Administrator shall be responsible for the
management, operation, and administration of the Agreement.  When making a
determination or calculation, the Administrator shall be entitled to rely on
information furnished by the Employer, Executive or Beneficiary.  No provision
of this Agreement shall be construed as imposing on the Administrator any
fiduciary duty under ERISA or other law, or any duty similar to any fiduciary
duty under ERISA or other law.

 

4.2       Administrator Authority.  The Administrator shall enforce this
Agreement in accordance with its terms, shall be charged with the general
administration of this Agreement, and shall have all powers necessary to
accomplish its purposes.  Such powers include, but are not limited to, the
following:

 

(a)        To construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Agreement
and to reconcile any inconsistency;

(b)        To compute and certify the amount payable to the Executive and the
Beneficiary; to determine the time and manner in which such benefits are paid;
and to determine the amount of any withholding taxes to be deducted;

(c)        To maintain all records that may be necessary for the administration
of this Agreement;

(d)        To provide for the disclosure of all information and the filing or
provision of all reports and statements to the Executive, the Beneficiary and
governmental agencies as required by law;

(e)        To make and publish such rules for the regulation of this Agreement
and procedures for the administration of this Agreement so long as no such
rules or procedures are not inconsistent with the terms hereof;

(f)         To administer this Agreement’s claims procedures;

(g)        To approve the forms and procedures for use under this Agreement; and

(h)        To employ others, including actuaries, attorneys, accountants,
independent fiduciaries, recordkeepers and administrative consultants, to render
advice or perform services with respect to the responsibilities of the
Administrator under the Agreement.

 

4.3       Binding Effect of Decision.  The decision or action of the
Administrator with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with
the administration, interpretation or application of this Agreement and the
rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final, conclusive and
binding upon all persons having any interest in this Agreement.

 

4.4       Compensation, Expenses and Indemnity.  The Administrator shall serve
without compensation for services rendered hereunder.  The Administrator is
authorized at the expense of the Employer to employ such legal counsel and/or
recordkeeper as it may deem advisable to assist in the performance of its duties
hereunder.  Expense and fees in connection with the administration of this
Agreement shall be paid by the Employer.

 

4.5       Employer Information.  The Employer shall supply full and timely
information to the Administrator on all matters relating to the Executive’s
compensation, death, Disability or Separation from Service, and such other
information as the Administrator reasonably requires.

 

4.6       Termination of Participation.  If the Administrator determines in good
faith that the Executive no longer qualifies as a member of a select group of
management or highly compensated employees, as determined in accordance with
ERISA, the Administrator shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to cease
further benefit accruals hereunder.

 

4.7       Compliance with Code Section 409A.  The Employer and the Executive
intend that the Agreement comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A to
prevent the inclusion in gross income of any amounts deferred hereunder in a
taxable year prior to the year in which amounts are actually paid to the
Executive or Beneficiary.  This Agreement shall be construed, administered and
governed in a manner that affects such intent, and the Administrator shall not
take any action that would be inconsistent therewith.

 

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ARTICLE 5

CLAIMS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES

 

5.1       Claims Procedure.  A Claimant who has not received benefits under this
Agreement that he or she believes should be distributed shall make a claim for
such benefits as follows.

 

(a)           Initiation — Written Claim.  The Claimant initiates a claim by
submitting to the Administrator a written claim for the benefits.  If such a
claim relates to the contents of a notice received by the Claimant, the claim
must be made within sixty (60) days after such notice was received by the
Claimant.  All other claims must be made within one hundred eighty (180) days of
the date on which the event that caused the claim to arise occurred.  The claim
must state with particularity the determination desired by the Claimant.

 

(b)        Timing of Administrator Response.  The Administrator shall respond to
such Claimant within ninety (90) days after receiving the claim.  If the
Administrator determines that special circumstances require additional time for
processing the claim, the Administrator can extend the response period by an
additional ninety (90) days by notifying the Claimant in writing, prior to the
end of the initial ninety (90) day period, that an additional period is
required.  The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and
the date by which the Administrator expects to render its decision.

 

(c)        Notice of Decision.  If the Administrator denies part or all of the
claim, the Administrator shall notify the Claimant in writing of such denial. 
The Administrator shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be
understood by the Claimant.  The notification shall set forth:  (i) the specific
reasons for the denial; (ii) a reference to the specific provisions of this
Agreement on which the denial is based; (iii) a description of any additional
information or material necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim and an
explanation of why it is needed; (iv) an explanation of this Agreement’s review
procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures; and (v) a
statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA
Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on review.

 

5.2       Review Procedure.  If the Administrator denies part or all of the
claim, the Claimant shall have the opportunity for a full and fair review by the
Administrator of the denial as follows.

 

(a)        Initiation — Written Request.  To initiate the review, the Claimant,
within sixty (60) days after receiving the Administrator’s notice of denial,
must file with the Administrator a written request for review.

 

(b)        Additional Submissions — Information Access.  The Claimant shall then
have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records and other
information relating to the claim.  The Administrator shall also provide the
Claimant, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of,
all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable
ERISA regulations) to the Claimant’s claim for benefits.

 

(c)        Considerations on Review.  In considering the review, the
Administrator shall take into account all materials and information the Claimant
submits relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was
submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

 

(d)        Timing of Administrator Response.  The Administrator shall respond in
writing to such Claimant within sixty (60) days after receiving the request for
review.  If the Administrator determines that special circumstances require
additional time for processing the claim, the Administrator can extend the
response period by an additional sixty (60) days by notifying the Claimant in
writing, prior to the end of the initial sixty (60) day period, that an
additional period is required.  The notice of extension must set forth the
special circumstances and the date by which the Administrator expects to render
its decision.

 

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(e)        Notice of Decision.  The Administrator shall notify the Claimant in
writing of its decision on review.  The Administrator shall write the
notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant.  The
notification shall set forth:  (a) the specific reasons for the denial; (b) a
reference to the specific provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is
based; (c) a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request
and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records
and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to
the Claimant’s claim for benefits; and (d) a statement of the Claimant’s right
to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a).

 

ARTICLE 6

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

6.1       Mutuality.  This Agreement may be amended or terminated only by a
written agreement signed by both the Employer and the Executive.

 

6.2       Amendment to Insure Proper Characterization of Agreement. 
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Agreement may be
amended by the Employer at any time, if found necessary in the opinion of the
Employer, i) to ensure that the Agreement is characterized as plan of deferred
compensation maintained for a select group of management or highly compensated
employees as described under ERISA, ii) to conform the Agreement to the
requirements of any applicable law or iii) to comply with the requirements of
the Employer’s auditors or banking regulators.

 

6.3       Effect of Complete Termination.  Subject to the requirements of Code
Section 409A and Treasury Regulations §1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix), in the event of
complete termination of the Agreement, the Employer shall pay the Accrued
Benefit to the Executive.  Such complete termination of the Agreement shall
occur only under the following circumstances and conditions.

 

(a)        Corporate Dissolution or Bankruptcy.  This Agreement may be
terminated and liquidated within twelve (12) months of a corporate dissolution
taxed under Code Section 331, or with the approval of a bankruptcy court
pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §503(b)(1)(A), provided that such benefits under the
Agreement are included in the Executive’s gross income in the latest of: (i) the
calendar year which the termination occurs; (ii) the calendar year in which the
amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (iii) the
first calendar year in which the payment is administratively practicable.

 

(b)        Discretionary Termination.  The Employer may also terminate and
liquidate this Agreement and make distributions provided that: (i) all
arrangements sponsored by the Employer and Affiliates that would be aggregated
with any terminated arrangements under Treasury Regulations §1.409A-1(c) are
terminated; (ii) no payments, other than payments that would be payable under
the terms of this Agreement if the termination had not occurred, are made within
twelve (12) months of this Agreement’s termination; (iii) all payments are made
within twenty-four (24) months following this Agreement’s termination;
(iv) neither the Employer nor any of its Affiliates adopt a new arrangement that
would be aggregated with any terminated arrangement under Treasury Regulations
§1.409A-1(c) if the Executive participated in both arrangements, at any time
within three (3) years following the date of termination of the arrangement; and
(v) the termination does not occur proximate to a downturn in the financial
health of the Employer.

 

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(c)        Change in Control.  This Agreement may be terminated within the
thirty (30) days preceding or the twelve (12) months following a Change in
Control.  This Agreement will then be treated as terminated only if all
substantially similar arrangements sponsored by the Employer which are treated
as deferred under a single plan under Treasury Regulations §1.409A-1(c)(2) are
terminated and liquidated with respect to each participant who experienced the
Change in Control so that the Executive and any participants in any such similar
arrangements are required to receive all amounts of compensation deferred under
the terminated arrangements within twelve (12) months of the date of termination
of the arrangements.

 

ARTICLE 7

MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1       No Effect on Employment Rights.  This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement between the Employer and the Executive as to the subject matter
hereof.  No rights are granted to the Executive by virtue of this Agreement
other than those specifically set forth herein.  Nothing contained herein will
confer upon the Executive the right to be retained in the service of the
Employer nor limit the right of the Employer to discharge or otherwise deal with
the Executive without regard to the existence hereof.

 

7.2       State Law.  To the extent, not governed by ERISA, the provisions of
this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted according to the internal law
of the State of California without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.

 

7.3       Validity.  In case any provision of this Agreement shall be illegal or
invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall affect the remaining
parts hereof, but this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such
illegal or invalid provision had never been inserted herein.

 

7.4       Nonassignability.  Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold,
transferred, assigned, pledged, attached or encumbered in any manner.

 

7.5       Unsecured General Creditor Status.  Payment to the Executive or any
Beneficiary hereunder shall be made from assets which shall continue, for all
purposes, to be part of the general, unrestricted assets of the Employer and no
person shall have any interest in any such asset by virtue of any provision of
this Agreement.  The Employer’s obligation hereunder shall be an unfunded and
unsecured promise to pay money in the future.  In the event that the Employer
purchases an insurance policy insuring the life of the Executive to recover the
cost of providing benefits hereunder, no Executive or Beneficiary shall have any
rights whatsoever in said policy or the proceeds therefrom.

 

7.6       Life Insurance.  If the Employer chooses to obtain insurance on the
life of the Executive in connection with its obligations under this Agreement,
the Executive hereby agrees to take such physical examinations and to truthfully
and completely supply such information as may be required by the Employer or the
insurance company designated by the Employer.

 

7.7       Unclaimed Benefits.  The Executive shall keep the Employer informed of
the Executive’s current address and the current address of the Beneficiary.  If
the location of the Executive is not made known to the Employer within three
years after the date upon which any payment of any benefits may first be made,
the Employer shall delay payment of the Executive’s benefit payment(s) until the
location of the Executive is made known to the Employer; however, the Employer
shall only be obligated to hold such benefit payment(s) for the Executive until
the expiration of three (3) years.  Upon expiration of the three (3) year
period, the Employer may discharge its obligation by payment to the
Beneficiary.  If the location of the Beneficiary is not made known to the
Employer by the end of an additional two (2) month period following expiration
of the three (3) year period, the Employer may discharge its obligation by
payment to the Executive’s estate.  If there is no estate in existence at such
time or if such fact cannot be determined by the Employer, the Executive and
Beneficiary shall thereupon forfeit all rights to any benefits provided under
this Agreement.

 

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7.8       Suicide or Misstatement.  No benefit shall be distributed hereunder if
the Executive commits suicide within two (2) years after the Effective Date, or
if an insurance company which issued a life insurance policy covering the
Executive and owned by the Employer denies coverage (i) for material
misstatements of fact made by the Executive on an application for life
insurance, or (ii) for any other reason.

 

7.9       Removal.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
the Employer shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the
Executive is subject to a final removal or prohibition order issued pursuant to
Section 8(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.  Furthermore, any payments
made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall, if required, comply with
12 U.S.C. 1828, FDIC Regulation 12 CFR Part 359 and any other regulations or
guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

7.10     Notice.  Any notice, consent or demand required or permitted to be
given to the Employer or Administrator under this Agreement shall be sufficient
if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by registered or certified mail to the
Employer’s principal business office.    Any notice or filing required or
permitted to be given to the Executive under this Agreement shall be sufficient
if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by mail to the last known address of
the Executive.  Any notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or,
if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark or on the
receipt for registration or certification.

 

7.11     Headings and Interpretation.  Headings and sub-headings in this
Agreement are inserted for reference and convenience only and shall not be
deemed part of this Agreement.  Wherever the fulfillment of the intent and
purpose of this Agreement requires and the context will permit, the use of the
masculine gender includes the feminine and use of the singular includes the
plural.

 

7.12     Alternative Action.  In the event it becomes impossible for the
Employer or the Administrator to perform any act required by this Agreement due
to regulatory or other constraints, the Employer or Administrator may perform
such alternative act as most nearly carries out the intent and purpose of this
Agreement and is in the best interests of the Employer, provided that such
alternative act does not violate Code Section 409A.

 

7.13     Coordination with Other Benefits.  The benefits provided for the
Executive or the Beneficiary under this Agreement are in addition to any other
benefits available to the Executive under any other plan or program for
employees of the Employer.  This Agreement shall supplement and shall not
supersede, modify, or amend any other such plan or program except as may
otherwise be expressly provided herein.

 

7.14     Inurement.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the Employer, its successor and assigns, and the Executive, the
Executive’s successors, heirs, executors, administrators, and the Beneficiary.

 

7.15     Tax Withholding.  The Employer may make such provisions and take such
action as it deems necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any taxes
which the Employer is required by any law or regulation to withhold in
connection with any benefits under the Agreement.  The Executive shall be
responsible for the payment of all individual tax liabilities relating to any
benefits paid hereunder.

 

7.16     Aggregation of Agreement.  If the Employer offers other non-account
balance deferred compensation plans, this Agreement and those plans shall be
treated as a single plan to the extent required under Code Section 409A.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a representative of the Employer have
executed this Agreement document as indicated below:

 

Executive:

 

Employer:

 

 

 

 

 

Heritage Oaks Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Its:

 

 

 

Salary Continuation Plan

 

Beneficiary Designation Form

I designate the following as Beneficiary under this Agreement:

 

Primary

 

 

____%

 

 

 

____%

 

Contingent

 

 

____%

 

 

 

____%

 

 

I understand that I may change this beneficiary designation by delivering a new
written designation to the Administrator, which shall be effective only upon
receipt by the Administrator prior to my death.  I further understand that the
designation will be automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases me or
if I have named my spouse as Beneficiary and our marriage is subsequently
dissolved.

 

Signature:

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

SPOUSAL CONSENT (Required only if Administrator requests and someone other than
spouse is named Beneficiary)

 

I consent to the beneficiary designation above.  I also acknowledge that if I am
named Beneficiary and my marriage is subsequently dissolved, the beneficiary
designation will be automatically revoked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spouse Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature:

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Received by the Administrator this ________ day of ___________________, 2011.

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

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Executives Officers Covered by Salary Continuation Agreement

and Provisions Subject to Variability

 

 

Provisions Subject to Variability

Executive Officers

Retirement Age

Annual Benefit (1)

Simone Lagomarsino

65

$                   100,000

Joanne Funari

65

$                     48,000

Ronald Oliveira

65

$                     96,000

Thomas J. Tolda

65

$                     72,000

 

 

 

(1)   Based on fully vested benefit at normal retirement age.

 

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