Exhibit 10.5

 

GUARANTY BANCORP

CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN

(As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2009)

 

1.             PURPOSE. THE PURPOSE OF THE GUARANTY BANCORP CHANGE IN CONTROL
SEVERANCE PLAN (AS AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2009) (THE “PLAN”)
IS TO RECRUIT AND FOSTER THE CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT OF KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
OF THE COMPANY AND TO REINFORCE AND ENCOURAGE THEIR CONTINUED ATTENTION AND
DEDICATION TO THEIR DUTIES IN THE EVENT OF ANY THREAT OR OCCURRENCE OF A CHANGE
IN CONTROL (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2), ALTHOUGH NO SUCH CHANGE IS NOW APPARENT OR
CONTEMPLATED.

 

2.             DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS PLAN, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE
THE RESPECTIVE MEANINGS SET FORTH BELOW:

 

(A)           “ANNUAL BONUS” MEANS THE ANNUAL BONUS AWARDED UNDER THE COMPANY’S
EXECUTIVE CASH INCENTIVE PLAN OR ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN (OR, IN EACH CASE, ANY
PREDECESSOR, SUBSTITUTE OR SUCCESSOR PLAN DESIGNATED AS SUCH BY THE BOARD), AS
IN EFFECT FROM TIME TO TIME, OR ANY DISCRETIONARY ANNUAL BONUS AWARDED BY THE
BOARD.

 

(B)           “BASE SALARY” MEANS THE PARTICIPANT’S ANNUAL BASE SALARY IN EFFECT
IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE OCCURRENCE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE GIVING RISE TO THE
PARTICIPANT’S TERMINATION, OR, IF GREATER, THE PARTICIPANT’S ANNUAL BASE SALARY
IN EFFECT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE CHANGE IN CONTROL.

 

(C)           “BOARD” MEANS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY AND, AFTER A
CHANGE IN CONTROL, THE “BOARD OF DIRECTORS” OF THE SURVIVING COMPANY.

 

(D)           “BONUS AMOUNT” MEANS THE AVERAGE OF A PARTICIPANT’S 2 ANNUAL
BONUSES FOR THE 2 FISCAL YEARS ENDING BEFORE THE PARTICIPANT’S DATE OF
TERMINATION; PROVIDED THAT (I) IF A PARTICIPANT HAS BEEN AN EMPLOYEE OF THE
COMPANY THROUGH THE END OF ONLY ONE FISCAL YEAR BEFORE THE PARTICIPANT’S DATE OF
TERMINATION AND WAS ELIGIBLE FOR AN ANNUAL BONUS FOR SUCH FISCAL YEAR (INCLUDING
ON A PRO RATA BASIS), THE BONUS AMOUNT SHALL BE THE AVERAGE OF (X) THE ANNUAL
BONUS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING BEFORE THE DATE OF TERMINATION (IF SUCH BONUS
WAS MADE ON A PRO RATA BASIS, SUCH BONUS SHALL BE ANNUALIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF
CALCULATING THE BONUS AMOUNT) AND (Y) THE PARTICIPANT’S TARGET ANNUAL BONUS,
EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF BASE SALARY IN THE EVENT THE RELEVANT GOALS ARE
100% ACHIEVED, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR IN WHICH THE DATE OF TERMINATION OCCURS AND
(II) IF A PARTICIPANT (X) HAS BEEN AN EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY THROUGH THE END OF
ONLY ONE FISCAL YEAR BEFORE THE PARTICIPANT’S DATE OF TERMINATION AND WAS NOT
ELIGIBLE FOR AN ANNUAL BONUS FOR SUCH FISCAL YEAR OR (Y) HAS NOT BEEN AN
EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY THROUGH THE END OF ONE FISCAL YEAR WITH THE COMPANY
BEFORE THE PARTICIPANT’S DATE OF TERMINATION, THE BONUS AMOUNT SHALL BE THE
PARTICIPANT’S TARGET ANNUAL BONUS, EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF BASE SALARY IN
THE EVENT THE RELEVANT GOALS ARE 100% ACHIEVED, FOR THE YEAR IN WHICH THE DATE
OF TERMINATION OCCURS.

 

(E)           “CAUSE” MEANS (I) AN INTENTIONAL AND CONTINUED FAILURE OF A
PARTICIPANT TO PERFORM DUTIES WITH THE COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES (FOR THE
AVOIDANCE OF

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

DOUBT, EXCLUDING ANY FAILURE DUE TO PHYSICAL OR MENTAL ILLNESS) AND SUCH FAILURE
CONTINUES AFTER A WRITTEN DEMAND FOR SUBSTANTIAL PERFORMANCE IS DELIVERED BY THE
COMPANY TO THE PARTICIPANT THAT SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIES THE MANNER IN WHICH THE
PARTICIPANT HAS FAILED TO PERFORM; (II) AN INTENTIONAL ACT OF ILLEGAL CONDUCT OR
GROSS MISCONDUCT THAT IS DEMONSTRABLY INJURIOUS (OTHER THAN TO A DE MINIMIS
EXTENT) TO THE BUSINESS, REPUTATION OR REGULATORY RELATIONSHIPS OF THE COMPANY;
(III) AN INTENTIONAL ACT OF FRAUD, EMBEZZLEMENT OR THEFT IN CONNECTION WITH THE
BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY; (IV) INTENTIONAL DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
OR TRADE SECRETS OF THE COMPANY OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO
CUSTOMERS OF THE COMPANY OR ITS PARENT, A SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE; (V) AN ACT
CONSTITUTING A FELONY OR A MISDEMEANOR INVOLVING MORAL TURPITUDE FOR WHICH THE
PARTICIPANT IS CONVICTED BY ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL AUTHORITY, OR TO WHICH
THE PARTICIPANT ENTERS A PLEA OF GUILTY OR NOLO CONTENDERE; (VI) AN ACT OR
OMISSION THAT CAUSES THE PARTICIPANT TO BE DISQUALIFIED OR BARRED BY ANY
GOVERNMENTAL OR SELF-REGULATORY AUTHORITY FROM SERVING IN HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT
CAPACITY OR LOSING ANY GOVERNMENTAL OR SELF- REGULATORY LICENSE THAT IS
REASONABLY NECESSARY FOR THE PARTICIPANT TO PERFORM HIS OR HER RESPONSIBILITIES
TO THE COMPANY; OR (VII) INTENTIONAL BREACH OF CORPORATE FIDUCIARY DUTY
INVOLVING PERSONAL PROFIT. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PLAN, NO ACT, OR FAILURE TO
ACT, ON THE PART OF THE PARTICIPANT SHALL BE DEEMED “INTENTIONAL” UNLESS DONE,
OR OMITTED TO BE DONE, BY THE PARTICIPANT NOT IN GOOD FAITH AND WITHOUT
REASONABLE BELIEF THAT HIS OR HER ACTION OR OMISSION WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF
THE COMPANY. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE PARTICIPANT SHALL NOT BE DEEMED
TO HAVE BEEN TERMINATED FOR CAUSE HEREUNDER UNLESS AND UNTIL THERE SHALL HAVE
BEEN DELIVERED TO THE PARTICIPANT A COPY OF A RESOLUTION DULY ADOPTED BY THE
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NOT LESS THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD THEN IN
OFFICE AT A MEETING OF THE BOARD CALLED AND HELD FOR SUCH PURPOSE (AFTER
REASONABLE NOTICE TO THE PARTICIPANT AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PARTICIPANT,
TOGETHER WITH HIS OR HER COUNSEL TO BE HEARD BEFORE THE BOARD), FINDING THAT, IN
THE GOOD FAITH OPINION OF THE BOARD, THE PARTICIPANT HAD COMMITTED AN ACT SET
FORTH ABOVE IN CLAUSES (I) THROUGH (VII) AND SPECIFYING THE PARTICULARS THEREOF
IN DETAIL. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT OF THE PARTICIPANT OR HIS OR HER
BENEFICIARIES TO CONTEST THE VALIDITY OR PROPRIETY OF ANY SUCH DETERMINATION.

 

(F)            “CHANGE IN CONTROL” MEANS THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY ONE OF THE
FOLLOWING EVENTS:

 

(I)            ANY “PERSON” OR “GROUP” (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN
SECTION 13(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (THE “EXCHANGE ACT”) AND
THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER) IS OR BECOMES THE “BENEFICIAL
OWNER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 13D-3 UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT), DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, OF SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY, OR OF ANY ENTITY RESULTING FROM A
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION INVOLVING THE COMPANY, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 50% OF THE
COMBINED VOTING POWER OF THE THEN OUTSTANDING SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY OR SUCH
ENTITY;

 

(II)           THE INDIVIDUALS WHO, AS OF THE DATE HEREOF, ARE MEMBERS OF THE
BOARD (THE “EXISTING DIRECTORS”), CEASE, FOR ANY REASON, TO CONSTITUTE MORE THAN
50% OF THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY AS DETERMINED IN THE
MANNER PRESCRIBED IN THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS;

 

2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

PROVIDED THAT IF THE ELECTION, OR NOMINATION FOR ELECTION, BY THE COMPANY’S
STOCKHOLDERS OF ANY NEW DIRECTOR WAS APPROVED BY A VOTE OF AT LEAST 50% OF THE
EXISTING DIRECTORS, SUCH A NEW DIRECTOR SHALL BE CONSIDERED AN EXISTING
DIRECTOR; PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT NO INDIVIDUAL SHALL BE CONSIDERED AN EXISTING
DIRECTOR IF SUCH INDIVIDUAL INITIALLY ASSUMED OFFICE AS A RESULT OF EITHER AN
ACTUAL OR THREATENED ELECTION CONTEST (“ELECTION CONTEST”) OR OTHER ACTUAL OR
THREATENED SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY OR ON BEHALF OF ANYONE OTHER THAN THE
BOARD (A “PROXY CONTEST”), INCLUDING BY REASON OF ANY AGREEMENT INTENDED TO
AVOID OR SETTLE ANY ELECTION CONTEST OR PROXY CONTEST; OR

 

(III)          THE CONSUMMATION OF A PLAN OF REORGANIZATION, MERGER OR
CONSOLIDATION INVOLVING THE COMPANY OR THE SALE OF ALL OR SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF
THE ASSETS OR DEPOSITS OF THE COMPANY, EXCEPT FOR A REORGANIZATION, MERGER,
CONSOLIDATION OR SALE WHERE (A) THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY IMMEDIATELY
BEFORE SUCH REORGANIZATION, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OWN DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY AT LEAST 55% OF THE COMBINED VOTING POWER OF THE OUTSTANDING VOTING
SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY RESULTING FROM SUCH REORGANIZATION, MERGER OR
CONSOLIDATION OR PURCHASING THE ASSETS OR DEPOSITS (THE “SURVIVING COMPANY”) IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME PROPORTION AS THEIR OWNERSHIP OF VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
COMPANY IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SUCH REORGANIZATION, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE,
AND (B) THE EXISTING DIRECTORS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE EXECUTION OF THE AGREEMENT
PROVIDING FOR SUCH REORGANIZATION, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE CONSTITUTE AT
LEAST HALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SURVIVING COMPANY, OR
OF A COMPANY BENEFICIALLY OWNING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, A MAJORITY OF THE
VOTING SECURITIES OF THE SURVIVING COMPANY (A “RESULTING PARENT”).

 

If there is a reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale of the Company that
does not result in a Change in Control pursuant to clause (iii), references to
“the Company” in this definition will be deemed to have been replaced by
references to the Resulting Parent (or if there is no Resulting Parent, the
Surviving Company).

 

(G)           “CODE” MEANS THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED.

 

(H)           “COMPANY” MEANS GUARANTY BANCORP AND THE TAX-CONTROLLED GROUP OF
WHICH IT IS A MEMBER.

 

(I)            “DATE OF TERMINATION” MEANS (I) IF A PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT IS
TERMINATED FOR DISABILITY, 30 DAYS AFTER NOTICE OF TERMINATION IS GIVEN BY THE
COMPANY (PROVIDED THAT THE PARTICIPANT SHALL NOT HAVE RETURNED TO THE FULL-TIME
PERFORMANCE OF HIS OR HER DUTIES DURING SUCH 30 DAY PERIOD); (II) IF A
PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT IS TERMINATED BY THE PARTICIPANT, THE DATE SPECIFIED IN
THE NOTICE OF TERMINATION, WHICH SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN 30 DAYS AFTER NOTICE OF
TERMINATION IS GIVEN (UNLESS THE COMPANY SELECTS AN EARLIER DATE OF
TERMINATION); OR (III) IF A PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT IS TERMINATED FOR ANY OTHER
REASON, THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE NOTICE OF TERMINATION.

 

3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

(J)            “DISABILITY” SHALL OCCUR IF A PARTICIPANT IS INCAPACITATED AND
ABSENT FROM HIS OR HER DUTIES ON A FULL-TIME BASIS FOR 4 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OR
FOR AT LEAST 180 DAYS (WHICH NEED NOT BE CONSECUTIVE) DURING ANY 12 MONTH
PERIOD.

 

(K)           “GOOD REASON” MEANS, WITHOUT THE PARTICIPANT’S EXPRESS WRITTEN
CONSENT, THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING EVENTS AFTER A CHANGE IN
CONTROL:

 

(I)            THE ASSIGNMENT TO THE PARTICIPANT OF ANY DUTIES INCONSISTENT WITH
HIS OR HER TITLE, POSITION, DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND STATUS WITH THE COMPANY
AS IN EFFECT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE CHANGE IN CONTROL, OR ANY OTHER ACTION BY
THE COMPANY THAT RESULTS IN A DIMINUTION OF THE PARTICIPANT’S TITLE, DUTIES,
POSITION OR REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS, OR ANY REMOVAL OF THE PARTICIPANT FROM, OR
ANY FAILURES TO RE-ELECT THE PARTICIPANT TO, ANY OF SUCH POSITIONS, EXCEPT IN
CONNECTION WITH THE TERMINATION OF HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT FOR CAUSE OR AS A
RESULT OF HIS OR HER DISABILITY OR DEATH, OR TERMINATION BY THE PARTICIPANT
OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON; PROVIDED THAT INSUBSTANTIAL OR INADVERTENT ACTIONS
NOT TAKEN IN BAD FAITH WHICH ARE REMEDIED BY THE COMPANY PROMPTLY AFTER RECEIPT
OF NOTICE THEREOF GIVEN BY THE PARTICIPANT SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE GOOD REASON;

 

(II)           ANY REDUCTION IN THE PARTICIPANT’S BASE SALARY, OR A SIGNIFICANT
REDUCTION IN THE AGGREGATE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO THE PARTICIPANT, UNLESS
SUCH REDUCTION APPLIES EQUALLY TO OTHER SIMILARLY SITUATED EMPLOYEES OF THE
COMPANY, IN EACH CASE, WHICH IS NOT REMEDIED WITHIN 10 CALENDAR DAYS AFTER
RECEIPT BY THE COMPANY OF WRITTEN NOTICE FROM THE PARTICIPANT OF SUCH CHANGE OR
REDUCTION, AS THE CASE MAY BE;

 

(III)          THE COMPANY REQUIRING THE PARTICIPANT TO BE BASED MORE THAN 30
MILES FROM THE LOCATION OF HIS OR HER PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE
CHANGE IN CONTROL, EXCEPT FOR NORMAL BUSINESS TRAVEL IN CONNECTION WITH HIS OR
HER DUTIES WITH THE COMPANY; OR

 

(IV)          THE FAILURE BY THE COMPANY TO REQUIRE ANY SUCCESSOR (WHETHER
DIRECT OR INDIRECT, BY PURCHASE, MERGER CONSOLIDATION OR OTHERWISE) TO ALL OR
SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE BUSINESS AND/OR ASSETS OF THE COMPANY TO EXPRESSLY
ASSUME THIS PLAN AND ALL OBLIGATION HEREUNDER.

 

An isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action taken in good faith
implicating clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of this definition which is fully
corrected by the Company before the Date of Termination specified in the notice
of termination shall not constitute Good Reason. A Participant must provide a
notice of termination for Good Reason within 90 days following the Participant’s
knowledge of existence of the event constituting Good Reason or such event shall
not constitute Good Reason under this Plan.

 

(L)            “PARTICIPANT” MEANS EACH OF THE EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY WHO ARE
SELECTED BY THE BOARD FOR COVERAGE BY THIS PLAN AND IDENTIFIED ON SCHEDULE A.

 

4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

(M)          “QUALIFYING TERMINATION” MEANS A TERMINATION OF THE PARTICIPANT’S
EMPLOYMENT (I) BY THE COMPANY OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR (II) BY THE PARTICIPANT
FOR GOOD REASON. TERMINATION OF THE PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY ON
ACCOUNT OF DEATH, DISABILITY OR RETIREMENT (IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NORMAL
RETIREMENT POLICY OF THE COMPANY AS IN EFFECT BEFORE THE CHANGE IN CONTROL)
SHALL NOT BE TREATED AS A QUALIFYING TERMINATION. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PRECEDING
SENTENCE, THE DEATH OR DISABILITY OF THE PARTICIPANT AFTER NOTICE OF TERMINATION
FOR GOOD REASON OR WITHOUT CAUSE HAS BEEN VALIDLY PROVIDED SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE
A QUALIFYING TERMINATION.

 

(N)           “SEVERANCE MULTIPLE” MEANS, FOR EACH PARTICIPANT, A NUMBER
DETERMINED BY THE BOARD IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION AND NOTED ON SCHEDULE A.

 

(O)           “TERMINATION PERIOD” MEANS THE PERIOD OF TIME BEGINNING WITH A
CHANGE IN CONTROL AND ENDING 2 YEARS FOLLOWING SUCH CHANGE IN CONTROL.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS PLAN TO THE CONTRARY, IF A PARTICIPANT’S
EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY IS TERMINATED BEFORE THE OCCURRENCE OF A CHANGE IN
CONTROL, THE PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN TERMINATED BY
THE COMPANY WITHOUT CAUSE ON THE DAY AFTER THE OCCURRENCE OF THE CHANGE IN
CONTROL IF (I) A CHANGE IN CONTROL ACTUALLY OCCURS, (II) DURING THE CHANGE IN
CONTROL PERIOD (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 16(D)) ENDING ON SUCH CHANGE IN CONTROL,
THE PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT IS TERMINATED BY THE COMPANY OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE
OR BY THE PARTICIPANT FOR GOOD REASON OR (III) THE PARTICIPANT REASONABLY
DEMONSTRATES THAT THE COMPANY TERMINATED THE PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT, OR GAVE
THE PARTICIPANT GOOD REASON, AT THE REQUEST OF A PERSON (OTHER THAN THE COMPANY)
WHO HAS INDICATED AN INTENTION OR TAKEN STEPS REASONABLY CALCULATED TO EFFECT A
CHANGE IN CONTROL, OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH, OR IN ANTICIPATION OF, THE
CHANGE IN CONTROL. FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING THE TIMING OF PAYMENTS AND
BENEFITS TO THE PARTICIPANT UNDER SECTION 4, THE DATE OF THE ACTUAL CHANGE IN
CONTROL SHALL BE TREATED AS THE PARTICIPANT’S DATE OF TERMINATION UNDER
SECTION 2(I), AND FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS AND
BENEFITS OWED TO THE PARTICIPANT UNDER SECTION 4, THE DATE THE PARTICIPANT’S
EMPLOYMENT IS ACTUALLY TERMINATED SHALL BE TREATED AS THE PARTICIPANT’S DATE OF
TERMINATION UNDER SECTION 2(I).

 

3.            ELIGIBILITY. THE BOARD SHALL DETERMINE IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION
WHICH EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY SHALL BE PARTICIPANTS. ONCE AN EMPLOYEE BECOMES A
PARTICIPANT, THE EMPLOYEE SHALL REMAIN A PARTICIPANT UNTIL THE EARLIER OF
(1) THE EXPIRATION OF THE PARTICIPANT’S “PARTICIPATION PERIOD” NOTED ON SCHEDULE
A AND (2) THE BOARD’S REMOVAL OF THE EMPLOYEE AS A PARTICIPANT IN THIS PLAN. THE
BOARD MAY REMOVE AN EMPLOYEE AS A PARTICIPANT IN THIS PLAN AT ANY TIME IN ITS
SOLE DISCRETION EXCEPT THAT A PARTICIPANT MAY NOT BE REMOVED AS A PARTICIPANT
WITHOUT HIS OR HER PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT EITHER (I) DURING A CHANGE IN CONTROL
PERIOD OR TERMINATION PERIOD OR (II) UNLESS THE COMPANY PROVIDES PARTICIPANT
WITH AT LEAST 6 MONTHS PRIOR NOTICE OF SUCH REMOVAL. FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT,
IF A PARTICIPANT IS REMOVED AS A PARTICIPANT IN THIS PLAN PURSUANT TO CLAUSE
(II) IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SENTENCE AND DURING SUCH 6 MONTH NOTICE PERIOD
A CHANGE IN CONTROL PERIOD IS TRIGGERED PURSUANT TO WHICH AN ACTUAL CHANGE IN
CONTROL OCCURS, THE PARTICIPANT SHALL NOT BE REMOVED OR BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN
REMOVED FROM THIS PLAN.

 

5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

4.             PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. IF DURING THE
TERMINATION PERIOD THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE PARTICIPANT IS TERMINATED PURSUANT TO A
QUALIFYING TERMINATION, THEN, SUBJECT TO THE PARTICIPANT’S EXECUTION OF A
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS PLAN AS SCHEDULE C
(THE “SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE”), THE COMPANY SHALL PROVIDE TO THE
PARTICIPANT:

 

(A)           HIS OR HER FULL BASE SALARY THROUGH THE DATE OF TERMINATION AT THE
RATE IN EFFECT AT THE TIME NOTICE OF TERMINATION IS GIVEN, PLUS ALL OTHER
AMOUNTS TO WHICH HE OR SHE IS ENTITLED UNDER ANY COMPENSATION PLAN OF THE
COMPANY, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IN EFFECT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE CHANGE IN CONTROL,
AT THE TIME SUCH PAYMENTS ARE DUE;

 

(B)           ON THE EARLIER OF THE FIFTY-FIFTH (55TH) DAY FOLLOWING THE DATE OF
TERMINATION OR THE EXPIRATION OF THE REVOCATION PERIOD FOR THE EXECUTED
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, PROVIDED THE PARTICIPANT HAS NOT REVOKED THE
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE AS OF SUCH DATE, A LUMP SUM CASH PAYMENT EQUAL
TO THE RESULT OF MULTIPLYING (I) THE PARTICIPANT’S CURRENT TARGET ANNUAL BONUS,
EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF BASE SALARY IN THE EVENT THE RELEVANT GOALS ARE
100% ACHIEVED, FOR THE YEAR IN WHICH THE DATE OF TERMINATION OCCURS BY (II) A
FRACTION, (A) THE NUMERATOR OF WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF DAYS ELAPSED FROM THE
BEGINNING OF THE RELEVANT PERIOD FOR WHICH PERFORMANCE IS MEASURED IN
DETERMINING SUCH ANNUAL BONUS UNTIL THE DATE OF TERMINATION AND (B) THE
DENOMINATOR OF WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF DAYS OF SUCH RELEVANT PERIOD;

 

(C)           ON THE EARLIER OF THE FIFTY-FIFTH (55TH) DAY FOLLOWING THE DATE OF
TERMINATION OR THE EXPIRATION OF THE REVOCATION PERIOD FOR THE EXECUTED
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, PROVIDED THE PARTICIPANT HAS NOT REVOKED THE
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE AS OF SUCH DATE, A LUMP SUM CASH PAYMENT EQUAL
TO THE RESULT OF MULTIPLYING (I) THE SUM OF (A) THE PARTICIPANT’S BASE SALARY,
PLUS (B) THE PARTICIPANT’S BONUS AMOUNT BY (II) THE PARTICIPANT’S SEVERANCE
MULTIPLE;

 

(D)           FOR THE NUMBER OF YEARS FROM THE DATE OF TERMINATION EQUAL TO THE
SEVERANCE MULTIPLE, CONTINUED PROVISION OF MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND VISION BENEFITS
TO THE PARTICIPANT, HIS OR HER SPOUSE AND HIS OR HER ELIGIBLE DEPENDANTS ON THE
SAME BASIS AS SUCH BENEFITS ARE THEN CURRENTLY PROVIDED TO SUCH PARTICIPANT (THE
“MEDICAL BENEFITS”); PROVIDED THAT SUCH BENEFITS SHALL BE SECONDARY TO ANY OTHER
COVERAGE OBTAINED BY THE PARTICIPANT AND SHALL BE PAID OR PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTION 8 BELOW; PROVIDED FURTHER THAT IF THE COMPANY’S WELFARE PLANS DO
NOT PERMIT SUCH COVERAGE, THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE THE PARTICIPANT THE MEDICAL
BENEFITS WITH THE SAME TAX EFFECT; AND

 

(E)           IF THE PARTICIPANT IS SUBJECT TO ANY EXCISE TAX IMPOSED UNDER
SECTION 4999 OF THE CODE (THE “EXCISE TAX”) BY REASON OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL,
THEN THE COMPANY SHALL PAY TO THE PARTICIPANT AN AMOUNT AS SPECIFIED IN SCHEDULE
B.

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided pursuant to this Plan, this Plan shall be
construed and administered in a manner which avoids duplication of compensation
and benefits which may be provided under any other plan, program, policy, or
other arrangement or individual contract. In the event a Participant is covered
by any other plan, program, policy, individually negotiated agreement or other
arrangement, in effect as of

 

6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

his or her Date of Termination, that may duplicate the payments and benefits
provided for in this Section 4, the Board is specifically empowered to reduce or
eliminate the duplicative benefits provided for under the Plan, provided such
elimination or reduction does not cause the Participant to incur additional tax
or interest under Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”).

 

This Plan does not abrogate any of the usual entitlements which a Participant
has or will have, first, while a regular employee, and subsequently, after
termination, and thus a Participant shall be entitled to receive all benefits
payable to him or her under each and every qualified plan, welfare plan and any
other plan or program relating to benefits and deriving from his or her
employment with the Company, but solely in accordance with the terms and
provisions thereof.

 

5.             WITHHOLDING TAXES. THE COMPANY MAY WITHHOLD FROM ALL PAYMENTS DUE
TO THE PARTICIPANT (OR HIS OR HER BENEFICIARY OR ESTATE) HEREUNDER ALL TAXES
WHICH, BY APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER LAW, THE COMPANY IS REQUIRED
TO WITHHOLD THEREFROM.

 

6.             REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. IF A CHANGE IN CONTROL ACTUALLY OCCURS
AND ANY CONTEST OR DISPUTE SHALL ARISE UNDER THIS PLAN INVOLVING TERMINATION OF
A PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY OR INVOLVING THE FAILURE OR REFUSAL
OF THE COMPANY TO PERFORM FULLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS HEREOF, THE COMPANY
SHALL REIMBURSE THE PARTICIPANT ON A CURRENT BASIS (AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8 BELOW) FOR ALL REASONABLE LEGAL FEES AND RELATED EXPENSES, IF ANY,
INCURRED BY THE PARTICIPANT IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH CONTEST OR DISPUTE, PROVIDED
THAT THE PARTICIPANT SHALL BE REQUIRED TO REPAY IMMEDIATELY ANY SUCH AMOUNTS TO
THE COMPANY TO THE EXTENT THAT A COURT OR AN ARBITRATION PANEL ISSUES A FINAL
AND NON- APPEALABLE ORDER SETTING FORTH THE DETERMINATION THAT THE POSITION
TAKEN BY THE PARTICIPANT WAS FRIVOLOUS OR ADVANCED BY THE PARTICIPANT IN BAD
FAITH.

 

7.             SCOPE OF PLAN. NOTHING IN THIS PLAN SHALL BE DEEMED TO ENTITLE
THE PARTICIPANT TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY, AND IF A PARTICIPANT’S
EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY SHALL TERMINATE BEFORE A CHANGE IN CONTROL, THE
PARTICIPANT SHALL HAVE NO FURTHER RIGHTS UNDER THIS PLAN (EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY
PROVIDED HEREIN); PROVIDED THAT ANY TERMINATION OF A PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT
DURING THE TERMINATION PERIOD SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
PLAN.

 

8.             CERTAIN ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS UNDER SECTION 409A.

 

(A)           IF AND TO THE EXTENT THAT  (I) ANY PAYMENT OR BENEFIT IS
DETERMINED BY THE COMPANY TO CONSTITUTE “NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION”
SUBJECT TO SECTION 409A, (II) SUCH PAYMENT OR BENEFIT UNDER THIS PLAN OR
OTHERWISE IS PROVIDED TO A PARTICIPANT WHO IS A “SPECIFIED EMPLOYEE” (WITHIN THE
MEANING OF SECTION 409A AND AS DETERMINED PURSUANT TO PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY
THE COMPANY) AND (III) SUCH PAYMENT OR BENEFIT MUST BE DELAYED FOR SIX MONTHS
FROM THE PARTICIPANT’S DATE OF TERMINATION (OR AN EARLIER DATE) IN ORDER TO
COMPLY WITH SECTION 409A(A)(2)(B)(I) OF THE CODE AND NOT CAUSE THE PARTICIPANT
TO INCUR ANY ADDITIONAL TAX UNDER SECTION 409A, THEN THE COMPANY

 

7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

WILL DELAY MAKING ANY SUCH PAYMENT OR PROVIDING SUCH BENEFIT UNTIL THE
EXPIRATION OF SUCH SIX MONTH PERIOD.  ANY PAYMENT OR BENEFIT DUE UPON A
TERMINATION OF THE PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT THAT REPRESENTS A “DEFERRAL OF
COMPENSATION” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 409A SHALL ONLY BE PAID OR PROVIDED
TO THE EXECUTIVE UPON A “SEPARATION FROM SERVICE” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF TREAS.
REG. 1.409A-1(H)).  IF A PARTICIPANT DIES WITHIN 6 MONTHS FOLLOWING SUCH
SEPARATION FROM SERVICE, ANY SUCH DELAYED PAYMENTS OR BENEFITS SHALL NOT BE
FURTHER DELAYED, AND SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY PAYABLE TO HIS OR HER ESTATE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THIS PLAN.

 

(B)           NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN, ANY PAYMENT OR
BENEFIT UNDER SECTION 4 OR 6 OR OTHERWISE THAT IS EXEMPT FROM SECTION 409A
PURSUANT TO TREAS. REG. 1.409A-1(B)(9)(V)(A) OR (C) SHALL BE PAID OR PROVIDED TO
THE PARTICIPANT ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT THE EXPENSES ARE NOT INCURRED, OR THE
BENEFITS ARE NOT PROVIDED, BEYOND THE LAST DAY OF THE SECOND TAXABLE YEAR OF THE
PARTICIPANT FOLLOWING THE TAXABLE YEAR OF THE PARTICIPANT IN WHICH THE
“SEPARATION FROM SERVICE” OCCURS; AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT SUCH EXPENSES ARE
REIMBURSED NO LATER THAN THE LAST DAY OF THE THIRD TAXABLE YEAR FOLLOWING THE
TAXABLE YEAR OF THE PARTICIPANT IN WHICH THE “SEPARATION FROM SERVICE” OCCURS.

 

(C)           EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, TO THE EXTENT ANY
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT OR THE PROVISION OF ANY IN-KIND BENEFIT UNDER THIS PLAN IS
DETERMINED TO BE SUBJECT TO SECTION 409A, THE AMOUNT OF ANY SUCH EXPENSES
ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT, OR THE PROVISION OF ANY IN-KIND BENEFIT, IN ONE
CALENDAR YEAR SHALL NOT AFFECT THE EXPENSES ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT IN ANY
OTHER TAXABLE YEAR (EXCEPT FOR ANY LIFE-TIME OR OTHER AGGREGATE LIMITATION
APPLICABLE TO MEDICAL EXPENSES), IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY EXPENSES BE REIMBURSED
AFTER THE LAST DAY OF THE CALENDAR YEAR FOLLOWING THE CALENDAR YEAR IN WHICH THE
PARTICIPANT INCURRED SUCH EXPENSES, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY RIGHT TO
REIMBURSEMENT OR THE PROVISION OF ANY IN-KIND BENEFIT BE SUBJECT TO LIQUIDATION
OR EXCHANGE FOR ANOTHER BENEFIT.

 

(D)           FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PLAN, EACH PAYMENT MADE PURSUANT TO
SECTION 4(B) OR (C) SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE SEPARATE PAYMENTS, AND AMOUNTS PAYABLE
UNDER SECTION 4 OF THIS PLAN SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE A “DEFERRAL OF
COMPENSATION” SUBJECT TO SECTION 409A TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN THE EXCEPTIONS
IN TREAS. REG. SECTIONS 1.409A-1(B)(4) (“SHORT-TERM DEFERRALS”) AND
(B)(9) (“SEPARATION PAY PLANS,” INCLUDING THE EXCEPTION UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH
(III)) AND OTHER APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF TREAS. REG. SECTION 1.409A-1 THROUGH
A-6.

 

9.             PARTICIPANT COVENANTS.

 

(A)           IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PARTICIPANT’S DUTIES, THE PARTICIPANT
HAS PREVIOUSLY HAD, AND MAY IN THE FUTURE HAVE, ACCESS TO CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS
AND INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING,
PURCHASING, ORGANIZATIONAL, STRATEGIC, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE,
MANUFACTURING, PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND SALES INFORMATION, DATA,
SPECIFICATIONS AND PROCESSES PRESENTLY OWNED OR AT ANY TIME HEREAFTER DEVELOPED
BY THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENTS OR CONSULTANTS OR USED PRESENTLY OR AT ANY TIME
HEREAFTER IN THE COURSE OF ITS BUSINESS, THAT ARE NOT OTHERWISE PART OF THE
PUBLIC DOMAIN (COLLECTIVELY, THE “CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL”). ALL SUCH CONFIDENTIAL

 

8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

MATERIAL IS CONSIDERED SECRET AND HAS BEEN AND/OR WILL BE DISCLOSED TO THE
PARTICIPANTS IN CONFIDENCE. BY EXECUTING A SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, A
PARTICIPANT SHALL AGREE THAT:

 

(V)           THE CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL CONSTITUTES PROPRIETY INFORMATION OF THE
COMPANY WHICH DRAWS INDEPENDENT ECONOMIC VALUE, ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL, FROM NOT
BEING GENERALLY KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC OR TO OTHER PERSONS WHO COULD OBTAIN
ECONOMIC VALUE FROM ITS DISCLOSURE OR USE, AND THAT THE COMPANY HAS TAKEN
EFFORTS REASONABLE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, OF WHICH THIS SECTION 9(A) IS AN
EXAMPLE, TO MAINTAIN ITS SECRECY;

 

(VI)          EXCEPT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF A PARTICIPANT’S DUTIES TO THE
COMPANY, HE OR SHE SHALL NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER,
DISCLOSE OR USE ANY SUCH CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL THAT (X) HAS BEEN PUBLICLY
DISCLOSED OR WAS WITHIN THE PARTICIPANT’S POSSESSION BEFORE ITS BEING FURNISHED
TO HIM OR HER BY THE COMPANY OR BECOMES AVAILABLE TO HIM OR HER ON A
NONCONFIDENTIAL BASIS FROM A THIRD PARTY (IN ANY OF SUCH CASES, NOT DUE TO A
BREACH BY THE PARTICIPANT OR HIS OR HER OBLIGATIONS TO THE COMPANY OR BY BREACH
OF ANY OTHER PERSON OF A CONFIDENTIAL, FIDUCIARY OR CONFIDENTIAL OBLIGATION, THE
BREACH OF WHICH THE PARTICIPANT KNOWS OR REASONABLY SHOULD KNOW), (Y) IS
REQUIRED TO BE DISCLOSED BY THE PARTICIPANT PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, AND THE
PARTICIPANT PROVIDES NOTICE TO THE COMPANY OF SUCH REQUIREMENT AS PROMPTLY AS
POSSIBLE, OR (Z) WAS INDEPENDENTLY ACQUIRED OR DEVELOPED BY THE PARTICIPANT
WITHOUT VIOLATING ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS PLAN AND WITHOUT RELYING ON
CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL OF THE COMPANY; AND

 

(VII)         ALL RECORDS, FILES, DRAWINGS, DOCUMENTS, EQUIPMENT AND OTHER
TANGIBLE ITEMS, WHEREVER LOCATED, RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THE CONFIDENTIAL
MATERIAL OR OTHERWISE TO THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS, WHICH A PARTICIPANT HAS
PREPARED, USED OR ENCOUNTERED SHALL BE AND REMAIN THE COMPANY’S SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY AND SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL, AND, UPON
A PARTICIPANT’S TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY, OR WHENEVER
REQUESTED BY THE COMPANY, HE OR SHE SHALL PROMPTLY DELIVER TO THE COMPANY ANY
AND ALL OF THE CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL AND COPIES THEREOF, NOT PREVIOUSLY
DELIVERED TO THE COMPANY, THAT MAY BE, OR AT ANY PREVIOUS TIME HAS BEEN, IN HIS
OR HER POSSESSION OR UNDER HIS OR HER CONTROL.

 

(B)           BY EXECUTING A SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, A PARTICIPANT
SHALL AGREE THAT, FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS FOLLOWING HIS OR HER DATE OF TERMINATION
EQUAL TO THE SEVERANCE MULTIPLE, HE OR SHE SHALL NOT, IN ANY MANNER, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY (WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY):  (I) SOLICIT ANY
CLIENT TO TRANSACT BUSINESS WITH A COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE OR TO REDUCE OR
REFRAIN FROM DOING ANY BUSINESS WITH THE COMPANY, (II) INTERFERE WITH OR DAMAGE
ANY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND A CLIENT OR (III) SOLICIT ANYONE WHO IS
THEN AN EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY (OR WHO WAS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY WITHIN
THE PRIOR 12 MONTHS) TO RESIGN FROM THE COMPANY OR TO APPLY FOR OR ACCEPT
EMPLOYMENT WITH ANY OTHER BUSINESS OR ENTERPRISE. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PLAN:
(I) “COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE” MEANS ANY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE THAT EITHER (A) 

 

9

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

ENGAGES IN ANY ACTIVITY CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH COMMERCIAL BANKING OR THE
OPERATION OF AN INSTITUTION, THE DEPOSITS OF WHICH ARE INSURED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, IN A RESTRICTED TERRITORY (AS DEFINED BELOW), OR
(B) HOLDS A 25% OR GREATER EQUITY, VOTING OR PROFIT PARTICIPATION INTEREST IN
ANY ENTERPRISE THAT ENGAGES IN SUCH A COMPETITIVE ACTIVITY; (II) “CLIENT” MEANS
ANY CLIENT OR PROSPECTIVE CLIENT OF THE COMPANY TO WHOM THE PARTICIPANT PROVIDED
SERVICES, OR FOR WHOM THE PARTICIPANT TRANSACTED BUSINESS; AND (III) “SOLICIT”
MEANS ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT COMMUNICATION OF ANY KIND, REGARDLESS OF WHO
INITIATES IT, THAT IN ANY WAY INVITES, ADVISES, ENCOURAGES OR REQUESTS ANY
PERSON TO TAKE OR REFRAIN FROM TAKING ANY ACTION. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 9(B),
HOWEVER, SHALL PROHIBIT A PARTICIPANT OR ANY PERSON OR ENTITY IN WHICH HE OR SHE
HAS AN INTEREST FROM PLACING ADVERTISEMENTS IN PERIODICALS OF GENERAL
CIRCULATION SOLICITING APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT, OR FROM EMPLOYING ANY PERSON
WHO ANSWERS ANY SUCH ADVERTISEMENT. A PARTICIPANT SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO VIOLATE
THIS SECTION 9(B) SOLELY BY VIRTUE OF HIS OR HER INTEREST IN A PERSON WHOSE
STOCK IS PUBLICLY TRADED IF HE OR SHE IS THE OWNER OF NOT MORE THAN 2% OF THE
OUTSTANDING SHARES OF ANY CLASS OF STOCK OF SUCH CORPORATION, PROVIDED HE OR SHE
HAS NO ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE BUSINESS OF SUCH CORPORATION (OTHER THAN
VOTING HIS OR HER STOCK) AND HE OR SHE DOES NOT PROVIDE SERVICES TO SUCH
CORPORATION IN ANY CAPACITY (WHETHER AS AN EMPLOYEE, AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
OR CONSULTANT, A BOARD MEMBER, OR OTHERWISE).

 

(C)           SOLELY IN THE CASE OF A PARTICIPANT WHOSE SEVERANCE MULTIPLE IS
MORE THAN 2, BY HIS OR HER EXECUTING A SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, HE OR
SHE AGREES THAT, FOR 2 YEARS FOLLOWING THE DATE OF TERMINATION, HE OR SHE SHALL
NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY (WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY)
ASSOCIATE (INCLUDING AS A DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, PARTNER, CONSULTANT,
AGENT OR ADVISOR) WITH A COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE IN A RESTRICTED TERRITORY AND IN
CONNECTION WITH SUCH PARTICIPANT’S ASSOCIATION ENGAGE, OR DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY
MANAGE OR SUPERVISE PERSONNEL ENGAGED, IN ANY ACTIVITY:

 

(VIII)        THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY RELATED TO ANY ACTIVITY THAT THE PARTICIPANT
WAS ENGAGED IN WITH THE COMPANY DURING THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE OF
TERMINATION OF THE PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT,

 

(IX)           THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY RELATED TO ANY ACTIVITY FOR WHICH THE
PARTICIPANT HAD DIRECT OR INDIRECT MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY WITH
THE COMPANY DURING THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE OF TERMINATION, OR

 

(X)            THAT CALLS FOR THE APPLICATION OF SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE OR SKILLS
SUBSTANTIALLY RELATED TO THOSE USED BY THE PARTICIPANT IN HIS OR HER ACTIVITIES
WITH THE COMPANY DURING THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE OF TERMINATION.

 

For purposes of this Plan, “Restricted Territory” means the geographic area of
all counties in which the Company (or its subsidiaries) has a branch. In
addition, for the purposes of this Plan, each Participant whose Severance
Multiple is more than 2 is part of “executive and management personnel” of the
Company within the meaning of C.R.S. § 8-2-113(2).

 

10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

(D)           BY A PARTICIPANT’S ACCEPTANCE OF PAYMENTS UNDER THIS PLAN, HE OR
SHE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT VIOLATION OF SECTIONS 9(A),
9(B) OR 9(C) OF THIS PLAN WOULD CAUSE THE COMPANY IRREPARABLE DAMAGE FOR WHICH
THE COMPANY CANNOT BE REASONABLY COMPENSATED IN DAMAGES IN AN ACTION AT LAW, AND
THAT THEREFORE, IN THE EVENT OF ANY BREACH BY HIM OR HER OF SUCH SECTIONS, THE
COMPANY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO MAKE APPLICATION TO A COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION FOR EQUITABLE RELIEF BY WAY OF INJUNCTION OR OTHERWISE (WITHOUT
BEING REQUIRED TO POST A BOND). THIS PROVISION SHALL NOT, HOWEVER, BE CONSTRUED
AS A WAIVER OF ANY OF THE RIGHTS WHICH THE COMPANY MAY HAVE FOR DAMAGES UNDER
THIS PLAN OR OTHERWISE, AND, EXCEPT AS LIMITED IN SECTION 13(B), ALL OF THE
COMPANY’S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES SHALL BE UNRESTRICTED.

 

10.           SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT.

 

(A)           THE COMPANY WILL REQUIRE ANY SUCCESSOR (WHETHER DIRECT OR
INDIRECT, BY PURCHASE, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR OTHERWISE) TO ALL OR
SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE BUSINESS AND/OR ASSETS OF THE COMPANY TO
UNCONDITIONALLY ASSUME ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY HEREUNDER. FAILURE
OF THE COMPANY TO OBTAIN SUCH ASSUMPTION BEFORE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ANY SUCH
SUCCESSION SHALL CONSTITUTE GOOD REASON HEREUNDER AND SHALL ENTITLE THE
PARTICIPANT TO COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS FROM THE COMPANY IN THE SAME
AMOUNT AND ON THE SAME TERMS AS THE PARTICIPANT WOULD BE ENTITLED HEREUNDER IF
THE PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT WERE TERMINATED FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN CONTROL BY
REASON OF A QUALIFYING TERMINATION, EXCEPT THAT FOR PURPOSES OF IMPLEMENTING THE
FOREGOING, THE DATE ON WHICH ANY SUCCESSION BECOMES EFFECTIVE SHALL BE DEEMED
THE DATE OF TERMINATION.

 

(B)           THE BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER THIS PLAN SHALL INURE TO THE BENEFIT
OF AND BE ENFORCEABLE BY THE PARTICIPANT’S PERSONAL OR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES,
EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, SUCCESSORS, HEIRS, DISTRIBUTEES, DEVISEES AND
LEGATEES. IF THE PARTICIPANT SHALL DIE WHILE ANY AMOUNTS WOULD BE PAYABLE TO THE
PARTICIPANT HEREUNDER HAD THE PARTICIPANT CONTINUED TO LIVE, ALL SUCH AMOUNTS,
UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN, SHALL BE PAID IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF
THIS PLAN TO SUCH PERSON OR PERSONS APPOINTED IN WRITING BY THE PARTICIPANT TO
RECEIVE SUCH AMOUNTS OR, IF NO PERSON IS SO APPOINTED, TO THE PARTICIPANT’S
ESTATE.

 

11.           NOTICE OF TERMINATION. ANY PURPORTED TERMINATION OF A
PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY, OR BY A PARTICIPANT, AS THE CASE MAY
BE, SHALL BE COMMUNICATED BY WRITTEN NOTICE OF TERMINATION TO THE OTHER PARTY
HERETO IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 12 HEREOF. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PLAN, A
“NOTICE OF TERMINATION” SHALL MEAN A NOTICE WHICH SHALL INDICATE THE SPECIFIC
TERMINATION PROVISION IN THIS PLAN RELIED UPON AND SHALL SET FORTH IN REASONABLE
DETAIL THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES CLAIMED TO PROVIDE A BASIS FOR TERMINATION OF
THE PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT UNDER THE PROVISION SO INDICATED. THE FAILURE BY
THE PARTICIPANT OR THE COMPANY TO SET FORTH IN SUCH NOTICE ANY FACT OR
CIRCUMSTANCE WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO A SHOWING OF GOOD REASON OR CAUSE SHALL NOT
WAIVE ANY RIGHT OF THE PARTICIPANT OR THE COMPANY HEREUNDER OR PRECLUDE THE
PARTICIPANT OR THE COMPANY FROM ASSERTING SUCH FACT OR CIRCUMSTANCE IN ENFORCING
THE PARTICIPANT’S OR THE COMPANY’S RIGHTS HEREUNDER.

 

11

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

12.           NOTICE. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PLAN, ALL NOTICES AND OTHER
COMMUNICATIONS REQUIRED OR PERMITTED HEREUNDER SHALL BE IN WRITING AND SHALL BE
DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN DULY GIVEN WHEN DELIVERED OR 5 DAYS AFTER DEPOSIT IN THE
UNITED STATES MAIL, CERTIFIED AND RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, POSTAGE PREPAID,
ADDRESSED AS FOLLOWS:

 

If to the Participant:  the address listed as the Participant’s address in the
Company’s personnel files.

 

If to the Company:

 

Guaranty Bancorp

1331 Seventeenth Street, Suite 300

Denver, Colorado  80202

Attention:  General Counsel

 

or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall
be effective only upon receipt.

 

13.           FULL SETTLEMENT; RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES.

 

(A)           THE COMPANY’S OBLIGATION TO MAKE ANY PAYMENTS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS
PLAN AND OTHERWISE TO PERFORM ITS OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER SHALL BE IN LIEU AND IN
FULL SETTLEMENT OF ALL OTHER SEVERANCE PAYMENTS TO THE PARTICIPANT UNDER ANY
OTHER SEVERANCE OR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTICIPANT AND THE COMPANY,
AND ANY SEVERANCE PLAN OF THE COMPANY. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PARTICIPANT BE
OBLIGATED TO SEEK OTHER EMPLOYMENT OR TAKE OTHER ACTION BY WAY OF MITIGATION OF
THE AMOUNTS PAYABLE TO THE PARTICIPANT UNDER ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PLAN
AND, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, SUCH AMOUNTS
SHALL NOT BE REDUCED WHETHER OR NOT THE PARTICIPANT OBTAINS OTHER EMPLOYMENT.

 

(B)           ANY CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM BETWEEN THE PARTICIPANT AND THE COMPANY
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS PLAN (INCLUDING THE COVENANTS
CONTAINED IN SECTION 9) AND ANY DISPUTE REGARDING THE PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT
OR THE TERMINATION OF PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT OR ANY DISPUTE REGARDING THE
APPLICATION, INTERPRETATION OR VALIDITY OF THIS PLAN (EACH, AN “EMPLOYMENT
MATTER”) WILL BE FINALLY SETTLED BY ARBITRATION IN DENVER COUNTY, COLORADO AND
ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION (THE “AAA”) UNDER ITS
COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION RULES THEN IN EFFECT. IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT
BETWEEN THIS PLAN AND THE RULES OF THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION, THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS PLAN SHALL BE DETERMINATIVE. IF THE PARTIES ARE UNABLE TO
AGREE UPON AN ARBITRATOR, THEY SHALL SELECT A SINGLE ARBITRATOR FROM A LIST OF 5
ARBITRATORS DESIGNATED BY THE OFFICE OF THE AMERICAN ARBITRATOR ASSOCIATION
HAVING RESPONSIBILITY FOR DENVER COUNTY, COLORADO, ALL OF WHOM SHALL BE RETIRED
JUDGES WHO ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN HEARING PRIVATE CASES OR MEMBERS OF THE
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ARBITRATORS, AND WHO, IN EITHER EVENT, ARE RESIDENTS OF SUCH
FORUM. IF THE PARTIES ARE UNABLE TO AGREE UPON AN ARBITRATOR FROM SUCH LIST,
THEY SHALL EACH STRIKE NAMES ALTERNATIVELY FROM THE LIST, WITH THE FIRST TO
STRIKE BEING DETERMINED BY LOT. AFTER EACH PARTY HAS USED 2 STRIKES,

 

12

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

THE REMAINING NAME ON THE LIST SHALL BE THE ARBITRATOR. THE AAA’S COMMERCIAL
ARBITRATION RULES WILL BE MODIFIED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:  (I) EACH ARBITRATOR
WILL AGREE TO TREAT AS CONFIDENTIAL EVIDENCE AND OTHER INFORMATION PRESENTED TO
THEM, (II) THERE WILL BE NO AUTHORITY TO AWARD PUNITIVE DAMAGES, (III) THERE
WILL BE NO AUTHORITY TO AMEND OR MODIFY THE TERMS OF THE PLAN AND (IV) A
DECISION MUST BE RENDERED WITHIN 10 BUSINESS DAYS OF THE PARTIES’ CLOSING
STATEMENTS OR SUBMISSION OF POST-HEARING BRIEFS. A PARTICIPANT OR THE COMPANY
MAY BRING AN ACTION OR SPECIAL PROCEEDING IN A STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF
COMPETENT JURISDICTION SITTING IN DENVER COUNTY, COLORADO TO ENFORCE ANY
ARBITRATION AWARD UNDER THIS SECTION 13(B).

 

14.           SURVIVAL. THE RESPECTIVE OBLIGATIONS AND BENEFITS AFFORDED TO THE
COMPANY AND THE PARTICIPANT AS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 4 (TO THE EXTENT THAT
PAYMENTS OR BENEFITS ARE OWED AS A RESULT OF A TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT THAT
OCCURS DURING THE TERM OF THIS PLAN) 5, 6, 9, 10(B) AND 13 SHALL SURVIVE THE
TERMINATION OF THIS PLAN.

 

15.           GOVERNING LAW; VALIDITY. THE INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION AND
PERFORMANCE OF THIS PLAN SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, WITHOUT REGARD TO
THE PRINCIPLE OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS, AND APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAWS. THE INVALIDITY
OR UNENFORCEABILITY OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS PLAN SHALL NOT AFFECT THE VALIDITY
OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS PLAN, WHICH OTHER PROVISIONS
SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.

 

16.           TERM; AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.

 

(A)           THIS PLAN SHALL CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT UNTIL ITS TERMS
AND PROVISIONS ARE COMPLETELY CARRIED OUT EXCEPT THAT (I) THE BOARD MAY
TERMINATE THIS PLAN AT A TIME THAT IS BOTH BEFORE A CHANGE IN CONTROL AND NOT
DURING A CHANGE IN CONTROL PERIOD AND (II) THE BOARD MAY TERMINATE THIS PLAN AS
TO FUTURE CHANGES IN CONTROL BEGINNING ON THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAST
CHANGE IN CONTROL THEN TO OCCUR.

 

(B)           THIS PLAN MAY BE AMENDED IN ANY RESPECT BY THE BOARD SO LONG AS
THE AMENDMENT IS MADE AT A TIME THAT IS BOTH BEFORE A CHANGE IN CONTROL AND NOT
DURING A CHANGE IN CONTROL PERIOD AND SO LONG AS ANY SUCH AMENDMENT DOES NOT
CAUSE A PARTICIPANT TO INCUR ADDITIONAL TAX OR PENALTIES UNDER SECTION 409A. IN
ADDITION, THE BOARD MAY AMEND THIS PLAN AS TO FUTURE CHANGES IN CONTROL
BEGINNING ON THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAST CHANGE IN CONTROL THEN TO OCCUR.

 

(C)           FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, DURING A CHANGE IN CONTROL PERIOD OR
TERMINATION PERIOD, THIS PLAN SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO AMENDMENT, CHANGE,
SUBSTITUTION, DELETION, REVOCATION OR TERMINATION IN ANY RESPECT.

 

(D)           A “CHANGE IN CONTROL PERIOD” SHALL BEGIN ON THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY
OF (I) THE COMPANY (OR ANY PERSON ACTING ON THE COMPANY’S BEHALF) CONDUCTING
NEGOTIATIONS TO EFFECT A CHANGE IN CONTROL AND (II) THE COMPANY (OR ANY PERSON
ACTING ON

 

13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

ITS BEHALF) EXECUTING A LETTER OF INTENT (WHETHER OR NOT BINDING) OR A
DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO EFFECT A CHANGE IN CONTROL AND SHALL END ON THE EARLIER
OF (A) THE DATE OF THE OCCURRENCE OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL AND (B) 90 DAYS AFTER
BOTH (X) THE COMPANY (OR ANY PERSON ACTING ON THE COMPANY’S BEHALF) CEASES
CONDUCTING NEGOTIATIONS TO EFFECT A CHANGE IN CONTROL AND (Y) ANY LETTER OF
INTENT (WHETHER OR NOT BINDING) OR A DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO EFFECT A CHANGE IN
CONTROL HAS TERMINATED OR EXPIRED (OTHER THAN WITH RESPECT TO PROVISIONS
RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OR OTHER PROVISIONS REASONABLY DETERMINED BY THE
BOARD TO BE UNRELATED TO EFFECTING A FUTURE CHANGE IN CONTROL).

 

17.           INTERPRETATION AND ADMINISTRATION. THE PLAN SHALL BE ADMINISTERED
BY THE BOARD. THE BOARD MAY DELEGATE ANY OF ITS POWERS UNDER THE PLAN TO A
COMMITTEE THEREOF.  UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS PLAN, ACTIONS OF THE BOARD
OR SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL BE TAKEN BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF ITS MEMBERS. ALL
REFERENCES TO THE “BOARD” HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE REFERENCES TO SUCH
DELEGATE, AS APPROPRIATE. THE BOARD SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY (I) TO EXERCISE ALL
OF THE POWERS GRANTED TO IT UNDER THE PLAN, (II) TO CONSTRUE, INTERPRET AND
IMPLEMENT THE PLAN, (III) TO PRESCRIBE, AMEND AND RESCIND RULES AND REGULATIONS
RELATING TO THE PLAN, (IV) TO MAKE ALL DETERMINATIONS NECESSARY OR ADVISABLE IN
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN AND (V) TO CORRECT ANY DEFECT, SUPPLY ANY OMISSION
AND RECONCILE ANY INCONSISTENCY IN THE PLAN.  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN TO THE CONTRARY AND TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE, IT IS
INTENDED THAT THE PLAN COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 409A, AND THE
PLAN SHALL BE INTERPRETED, CONSTRUED AND ADMINISTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS
INTENT, SO AS TO AVOID THE IMPOSITION OF TAXES AND PENALTIES ON THE PARTICIPANT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 409A.  HOWEVER, THE COMPANY SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY TO ANY
PARTICIPANT, BENEFICIARY OR OTHERWISE IF THE PLAN OR ANY AMOUNTS PAID OR PAYABLE
HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL TAX AND PENALTIES UNDER SECTION 409A.

 

18.           TYPE OF PLAN. THIS PLAN IS INTENDED TO BE, AND SHALL BE
INTERPRETED AS AN UNFUNDED EMPLOYEE WELFARE PLAN UNDER SECTION 3(1) OF THE
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”) AND
SECTION 2520.104-24 OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REGULATIONS, MAINTAINED PRIMARILY
FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING EMPLOYEE WELFARE BENEFITS, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT
PROVIDES WELFARE BENEFITS, AND UNDER SECTIONS 201, 301 AND 401 OF ERISA, AS A
PLAN THAT IS UNFUNDED AND MAINTAINED PRIMARILY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING
DEFERRED COMPENSATION, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT PROVIDES SUCH COMPENSATION, IN EACH
CASE FOR A SELECT GROUP OF MANAGEMENT OR HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES.

 

19.           SEVERABILITY. IF A PROVISION OF THIS PLAN SHALL BE HELD ILLEGAL OR
INVALID, THE ILLEGALITY OR INVALIDITY SHALL NOT AFFECT THE REMAINING PARTS OF
THIS PLAN AND THIS PLAN SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED AS IF THE ILLEGAL OR
INVALID PROVISION HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED.

 

20.           NONASSIGNABILITY. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SECTION 10(B),
BENEFITS UNDER THE PLAN MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED,
ANTICIPATED, MORTGAGED, OR OTHERWISE ENCUMBERED, TRANSFERRED, HYPOTHECATED, OR
CONVEYED IN ADVANCE OF ACTUAL RECEIPT THE AMOUNTS, IF ANY, PAYABLE HEREUNDER, OR
ANY PART THEREOF BY THE PARTICIPANT.

 

14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

21.           EFFECTIVE DATE. THE PLAN WAS ADOPTED AND BECAME EFFECTIVE AS OF
DECEMBER 11, 2006, WAS AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF MAY 7, 2007, AND WAS FURTHER
AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2009.

 

15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Schedule A

 

 

Employee

 

Severance Multiple

 

Participation Period

Daniel M. Quinn

 

3

 

Until removed by the Board in accordance with Section 3.

 

 

 

 

 

Zsolt K. Besskó

 

2

 

Until removed by the Board in accordance with Section 3.

 

 

 

 

 

Suzanne R. Brennan

 

2

 

Until removed by the Board in accordance with Section 3.

 

 

 

 

 

Sherri L. Heronema

 

2

 

Until removed by the Board in accordance with Section 3.

 

 

 

 

 

James K. Simons

 

2

 

Until removed by the Board in accordance with Section 3.

 

 

 

 

 

Paul W. Taylor

 

2

 

Until removed by the Board in accordance with Section 3.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Schedule B

 

Additional Reimbursement Payments by the Company

 

(A)           PURSUANT TO SECTION 4(E) OF THE PLAN, IN THE EVENT IT SHALL BE
DETERMINED THAT ANY PAYMENT, AWARD, BENEFIT OR DISTRIBUTION (OR ANY ACCELERATION
OF ANY PAYMENT, AWARD, BENEFIT OR DISTRIBUTION) BY THE COMPANY (OR ANY OF ITS
AFFILIATED ENTITIES OR ANY ENTITY WHICH EFFECTUATES A CHANGE IN CONTROL (OR ANY
OF ITS AFFILIATED ENTITIES) TO OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PARTICIPANT (WHETHER
PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THIS PLAN OR OTHERWISE, BUT DETERMINED WITHOUT REGARD
TO ANY ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS REQUIRED UNDER THIS SCHEDULE B) (THE “PAYMENTS”)
WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE EXCISE TAX IMPOSED BY SECTION 4999 OF THE INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR ANY INTEREST OR PENALTIES ARE
INCURRED BY THE PARTICIPANT WITH RESPECT TO SUCH EXCISE TAX (SUCH EXCISE TAX,
TOGETHER WITH ANY SUCH INTEREST AND PENALTIES, ARE HEREINAFTER COLLECTIVELY
REFERRED TO AS THE “EXCISE TAX”), THEN THE COMPANY SHALL PAY TO THE PARTICIPANT
AN ADDITIONAL PAYMENT (A “REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT”) IN AN AMOUNT SUCH THAT AFTER
PAYMENT BY THE PARTICIPANT OF ALL TAXES (INCLUDING ANY EXCISE TAX) IMPOSED UPON
THE REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT, THE PARTICIPANT RETAINS AN AMOUNT OF THE
REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT EQUAL TO THE EXCISE TAX IMPOSED UPON THE PAYMENTS. FOR
PURPOSES OF DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF THE REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT, THE PARTICIPANT
SHALL BE DEEMED TO (I) PAY FEDERAL INCOME TAXES AT THE HIGHEST MARGINAL RATES OF
FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR IN WHICH THE REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT
IS TO BE MADE AND (II) PAY APPLICABLE STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES AT THE
HIGHEST MARGINAL RATE OF TAXATION FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR IN WHICH THE
REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT IS TO BE MADE, NET OF THE MAXIMUM REDUCTION IN FEDERAL
INCOME TAXES WHICH COULD BE OBTAINED FROM DEDUCTION OF SUCH STATE AND LOCAL
TAXES.  THE EXCISE REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT SHALL BE PAID TO THE PARTICIPANT AS
SOON AS PRACTICABLE FOLLOWING DETERMINATION OF THE AMOUNT THEREOF, BUT IN EVENT
NO LATER THAN BY THE END OF THE PARTICIPANT’S TAXABLE YEAR NEXT FOLLOWING THE
TAXABLE YEAR IN WHICH THE EXCISE TAX IS REMITTED.

 

(B)           NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (A) ABOVE, IF IT SHALL
BE DETERMINED THAT THE PARTICIPANT IS ENTITLED TO A REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT, BUT
THAT THE PAYMENTS WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE EXCISE TAX IF THE PAYMENTS WERE
REDUCED BY AN AMOUNT THAT IS NO MORE THAN 10% OF THE PORTION OF THE PAYMENTS
THAT WOULD BE TREATED AS “PARACHUTE PAYMENTS” UNDER SECTION 280G OF THE CODE,
THEN THE AMOUNTS PAYABLE TO THE PARTICIPANT UNDER THIS PLAN SHALL BE REDUCED
(BUT NOT BELOW ZERO) TO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT COULD BE PAID TO THE PARTICIPANT
WITHOUT GIVING RISE TO THE EXCISE TAX (THE “SAFE HARBOR CAP”), AND NO
REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT SHALL BE MADE TO THE PARTICIPANT.  THE REDUCTION OF THE
AMOUNTS PAYABLE HEREUNDER, IF APPLICABLE, SHALL BE MADE BY REDUCING FIRST THE
BENEFITS UNDER SECTION 4(D), FOLLOWED BY THE PAYMENTS UNDER SECTION 4(C) AND
THEN THE PAYMENT UNDER SECTION 4(B).

 

(C)           SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPHS (A) AND (B) ABOVE, ALL
DETERMINATIONS REQUIRED TO BE MADE UNDER THIS SCHEDULE B, INCLUDING WHETHER AND
WHEN A REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT IS REQUIRED, THE AMOUNT OF SUCH REIMBURSEMENT
PAYMENT, THE AMOUNT OF ANY OPTION REDETERMINATION (AS DEFINED BELOW), THE
REDUCTION OF THE PAYMENTS

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

TO THE SAFE HARBOR CAP AND THE ASSUMPTIONS TO BE UTILIZED IN ARRIVING AT SUCH
DETERMINATIONS, SHALL BE MADE BY A PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM THAT IS RETAINED BY
THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE CHANGE IN CONTROL (THE
“ACCOUNTING FIRM”) WHICH SHALL PROVIDE DETAILED SUPPORTING CALCULATIONS BOTH TO
THE COMPANY AND THE PARTICIPANT WITHIN 15 BUSINESS DAYS OF THE RECEIPT OF NOTICE
FROM THE COMPANY OR THE PARTICIPANT THAT THERE HAS BEEN A PAYMENT, OR SUCH
EARLIER TIME AS IS REQUESTED BY THE COMPANY (COLLECTIVELY, THE “DETERMINATION”).
FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, THE ACCOUNTING FIRM MAY USE THE OPTION
REDETERMINATION AMOUNT IN DETERMINING THE REDUCTION OF THE PAYMENTS TO THE SAFE
HARBOR CAP. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, IN THE EVENT (I) THE BOARD SHALL
DETERMINE BEFORE THE CHANGE IN CONTROL THAT THE ACCOUNTING FIRM IS PRECLUDED
FROM PERFORMING SUCH SERVICES UNDER APPLICABLE AUDITOR INDEPENDENCE RULES OR
(II) THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT IT DOES NOT WANT THE
ACCOUNTING FIRM TO PERFORM SUCH SERVICES BECAUSE OF AUDITOR INDEPENDENCE
CONCERNS OR (III) THE ACCOUNTING FIRM IS SERVING AS ACCOUNTANT OR AUDITOR FOR
THE PERSON(S) EFFECTING THE CHANGE IN CONTROL, THE BOARD SHALL APPOINT ANOTHER
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM TO MAKE THE DETERMINATIONS REQUIRED
HEREUNDER (WHICH ACCOUNTING FIRM SHALL THEN BE REFERRED TO AS THE “ACCOUNTING
FIRM” FOR ALL PURPOSES OF THIS PLAN). ALL FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE ACCOUNTING
FIRM SHALL BE BORNE SOLELY BY THE COMPANY, AND THE COMPANY SHALL ENTER INTO ANY
AGREEMENT REASONABLY REQUESTED BY THE ACCOUNTING FILM IN CONNECTION WITH THE
PERFORMANCE OF THE SERVICES HEREUNDER.  IF THE ACCOUNTING FIRM DETERMINES THAT
NO EXCISE TAX IS PAYABLE BY A PARTICIPANT, IT SHALL FURNISH THE PARTICIPANT WITH
A WRITTEN OPINION TO SUCH EFFECT, AND TO THE EFFECT THAT FAILURE TO REPORT THE
EXCISE TAX, IF ANY, ON THE PARTICIPANT’S APPLICABLE FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN
WILL NOT RESULT IN THE IMPOSITION OF A NEGLIGENCE OR SIMILAR PENALTY. IN THE
EVENT THE ACCOUNTING FIRM DETERMINES THAT THE PAYMENTS SHALL BE REDUCED TO THE
SAFE HARBOR CAP, IT SHALL FURNISH THE PARTICIPANT WITH A WRITTEN OPINION TO SUCH
EFFECT. THE DETERMINATION BY THE ACCOUNTING FIRM SHALL BE BINDING UPON THE
COMPANY AND THE PARTICIPANT.

 

(D)           AS A RESULT OF THE UNCERTAINTY IN THE APPLICATION OF SECTION 4999
OF THE CODE AT THE TIME OF THE DETERMINATION, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT REIMBURSEMENT
PAYMENTS WHICH WILL NOT HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE
(“UNDERPAYMENT”) OR REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENTS ARE MADE BY THE COMPANY WHICH SHOULD
NOT HAVE BEEN MADE (“OVERPAYMENT”), CONSISTENT WITH THE CALCULATIONS REQUIRED TO
BE MADE HEREUNDER. IN THE EVENT THE AMOUNT OF THE REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT IS
DETERMINED BY THE ACCOUNTING FIRM, THE COMPANY (WHICH INCLUDES THE POSITION
TAKEN BY THE COMPANY ON ITS FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN), THE INTERNAL REVENUE
SERVICE OR A COURT TO BE LESS THAN THE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO REIMBURSE THE
PARTICIPANT FOR THE EXCISE TAX, THE AMOUNT OF THE UNDERPAYMENT THAT HAS OCCURRED
AND ANY SUCH UNDERPAYMENT (TOGETHER WITH INTEREST AT THE RATE PROVIDED IN
SECTION 1274(B)(2)(B) OF THE CODE) SHALL BE PROMPTLY PAID (BUT IN EVENT NO LATER
THAN BY THE END OF THE PARTICIPANT’S TAXABLE YEAR NEXT FOLLOWING THE TAXABLE
YEAR IN WHICH THE EXCISE TAX IS REMITTED) BY THE COMPANY TO OR FOR THE BENEFIT
OF THE PARTICIPANT.  IN THE EVENT THE AMOUNT OF THE REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT IS
DETERMINED, BY FINAL DETERMINATION OF A COURT OR INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
PROCEEDING (THAT IS FINAL AND CONCLUSIVELY RESOLVED), TO EXCEED THE AMOUNT
NECESSARY TO REIMBURSE THE PARTICIPANT FOR THE EXCISE TAX, THE ACCOUNTING FIRM
SHALL DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF THE OVERPAYMENT THAT HAS BEEN MADE AND ANY SUCH
OVERPAYMENT (TOGETHER WITH INTEREST AT THE RATE PROVIDED IN

 

B-2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

SECTION 1274(B)(2) OF THE CODE) SHALL BE PROMPTLY PAID BY THE PARTICIPANT (TO
THE EXTENT THE PARTICIPANT HAS RECEIVED A REFUND IF THE APPLICABLE EXCISE TAX
HAS BEEN PAID TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE) TO OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
COMPANY. THE PARTICIPANT SHALL COOPERATE, TO THE EXTENT HIS OR HER EXPENSES ARE
REIMBURSED BY THE COMPANY, WITH ANY REASONABLE REQUESTS BY THE COMPANY IN
CONNECTION WITH ANY CONTESTS OR DISPUTES WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE EXCISE TAX. IN THE EVENT THAT THE COMPANY MAKES A
REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT TO THE PARTICIPANT AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE COMPANY DETERMINES
THAT THE VALUE OF ANY ACCELERATED VESTING OF STOCK OPTIONS HELD BY THE
PARTICIPANT SHALL BE REDETERMINED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF TREASURY
REGULATION § 1.280G-1 Q/A 33 (THE “OPTION REDETERMINATION”), THE PARTICIPANT
SHALL (I) FILE WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AN AMENDED FEDERAL INCOME TAX
RETURN THAT CLAIMS A REFUND OF THE OVERPAYMENT OF THE EXCISE TAX ATTRIBUTABLE TO
SUCH OPTION REDETERMINATION AND (II) PROMPTLY PAY THE REFUNDED EXCISE TAX TO THE
COMPANY; PROVIDED THAT THE COMPANY SHALL PAY ALL REASONABLE PROFESSIONAL FEES
INCURRED IN THE PREPARATION OF THE PARTICIPANT’S AMENDED FEDERAL INCOME TAX
RETURN. IF THE OPTION REDETERMINATION OCCURS IN THE SAME YEAR THAT THE
REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT IS INCLUDED IN THE PARTICIPANT’S TAXABLE INCOME, THEN IN
ADDITION TO RETURNING THE REFUND TO THE COMPANY, THE PARTICIPANT WILL ALSO
PROMPTLY RETURN TO THE COMPANY ANY TAX BENEFIT REALIZED BY THE RETURN OF SUCH
REFUND AND THE RETURN OF THE ADDITIONAL TAX BENEFIT PAYMENT (ALL DETERMINATIONS
PURSUANT TO THIS SENTENCE SHALL BE MADE BY THE ACCOUNTING FIRM). IN THE EVENT
THAT AMOUNTS PAYABLE TO THE PARTICIPANT UNDER THIS PLAN WERE REDUCED PURSUANT TO
PARAGRAPH (B) ABOVE AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE PARTICIPANT DETERMINES THERE HAS BEEN
AN OPTION REDETERMINATION THAT REDUCES THE VALUE OF THE PAYMENTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO
SUCH OPTIONS, THE COMPANY SHALL PROMPTLY PAY TO THE PARTICIPANT ANY AMOUNTS
PAYABLE UNDER THIS PLAN THAT WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY PAID SOLELY AS A RESULT OF THE
PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (B) ABOVE, UP TO THE SAFE HARBOR CAP.

 

B-3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Schedule C

 

FORM OF CIC SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE (HEREIN “AGREEMENT”)

 

In connection with the termination of your employment by Guaranty Bancorp (the
“Company”), effective                      , 200      , and in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Guaranty Bancorp Change In Control Severance
Plan, as established December 11, 2006 (the “Plan”), the Company agrees to
provide you, contingent upon your execution of this Agreement, with the
following severance payment and benefits:

 

·      [description of severance payment and benefits to be inserted]

 

In consideration of the payment and benefits set forth above, you agree
knowingly and voluntarily as follows:

 

1.                                       You knowingly and voluntarily waive and
release forever whatever claims you ever had, now have or hereafter may have
against the Company and any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, any of their
successors or assigns and any of their present and former employees, directors,
officers and agents (collectively referred to as “Releasees”), based upon any
matter, occurrence or event existing or occurring before the execution of this
Agreement, including anything relating to your employment with the Company and
any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or to the termination of such employment
or to your status as a shareholder or creditor of the Company.

 

This release and waiver includes but is not limited to any rights or claims
under United States federal, state or local law and the national or local law of
any foreign country (statutory or decisional), for wrongful or abusive
discharge, for breach of any contract, for misrepresentation, for breach of any
securities laws, or for discrimination based upon race, color, ethnicity, sex,
age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other
unlawful criterion or circumstance, including rights or claims under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”)(except that you do not waive
ADEA rights or claims that may arise after the date of this Agreement).

 

2.                                       You agree never to institute any claim,
suit or action at law or in equity against any Releasee in any way by reason of
any claim you ever had, now have or hereafter may have relating to the matters
described in the two preceding paragraphs.

 

3.                                       The payment and benefits described
herein shall be in lieu of any and all other amounts to which you might be, are
now or may become entitled from the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates
and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you hereby expressly
waive any right or claim that you may have or assert to payment for salary,
bonuses, medical, dental or hospitalization benefits, life insurance benefits or
attorneys’ fees; provided that notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, you do not waive any of your rights and the Company shall comply with
its obligations with respect to continuation coverage

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

requirements under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (commonly referred to as “COBRA”).

 

4.                                       You hereby expressly agree to comply
with the restrictions on your conduct set forth in Section 9 of the Plan for the
periods applicable to you (as if such Section 9 were directly incorporated in
this Agreement). You acknowledge that your compliance with Section 9 of the Plan
is a material condition to the Company providing you with the payment and
benefits described herein and that the Company would not have agreed to provide
such payment or benefits absent your agreement. You also acknowledge that
Section 9 of the Plan limits your ability to earn a livelihood in a Competitive
Enterprise (as defined in the Plan) and your relationships with Clients (as
defined in the Plan). You acknowledge, however, that complying with Section 9 of
the Plan will not result in severe economic hardship for you or your family.

 

[Your signature below will also constitute confirmation that (i) you have been
given at least 21 days within which to consider this release and its
consequences, (ii) you have been advised before signing this Agreement to
consult, and have consulted, with an attorney of your choice, and (iii) you have
been advised that you may revoke this Agreement at any time during the 7 day
period immediately following the date you signed this letter.] [Subject to
revision based on circumstances of participant, and in accordance with
applicable law]

 

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of State of Colorado.

 

Please confirm by returning to                             the enclosed copy of
this Agreement, signed in the place provided, that you have knowingly and
voluntarily decided to accept and agree to the foregoing.

 

GUARANTY BANCORP

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Date:

 

 

C-2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------